Credentials
Professional Details and Recognitions
Decades of distinguished service across federal government, military leadership, and private-sector advocacy.
Education
Juris Doctor
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Drew University
Madison, NJ
Professional Affiliations and Recognitions
Selected as a Leader in the Field of Transportation: Shipping: Regulatory (National) by Chambers USA for 2011 and 2012.
Member of the Bars of Virginia, District of Columbia, and U.S. Supreme Court.
Former Member and Secretary, Board of Directors, North American Marine Environment Protection Association.
Member, Board of Directors, Lu Young Children's Fund until 2025 (disestablished).
Member, Board of Directors, U.S. Naval Institute (Counsel) until 2013.
Vice Chairman, Secretary, Executive Committee Member, and National Board of Trustees, U.S. Coast Guard Foundation.
Former Member, Industry Advisory Board, North American Marine Ministry Association.
Member, Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Economics Honor Society).
Volunteer, Central Union Mission (social service organization for the DC homeless).
Former Treasurer and Clerk & member of governing Session (elder), Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC.
Chair, Representative Don Young Alaskan Heritage Committee (disestablished).
Awarded the Professional Lobbying Certificate by the American League of Lobbyists.
Medals & Awards
Medals and awards for service in the U.S. Coast Guard include:
Military Experience
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (ret.)
Superior maritime, environmental, and military contacts and experience gained as Rear Admiral retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve after 36 years of service (1970–2006).
Deputy Commander at both Atlantic and Pacific Commands, overseeing operational units with the full spectrum of Coast Guard responsibilities.
Oversaw mobilization of over 3,000 Reservists and attendant support issues; frequent long-distance travel to speak to service units and maritime industry groups.
Representative at Joint Session of Congress for speech by Israeli Prime Minister.
Assessed units providing waterside security at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Led diplomatic mission to deliver harbor patrol boats to the Yemeni Coast Guard in the Port of Aden.
Federal On Scene Coordinator Office for Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS): Planning and Public Affairs Officer for the first 3 years of the cleanup effort. Wrote the definitive plan for execution of EVOS operations and conducted high-visibility congressional and community outreach.
Office of the Deputy Secretary for Policy, Department of Defense (Pentagon): Wrote the first update of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the Pentagon since the Cold War era — implemented during the 9-11 Pentagon attack.
Commanding Officer of several operational units ranging from 25 to 500 personnel, covering the full spectrum of Coast Guard missions: search and rescue, marine safety, environmental response, law enforcement, and mobilization planning.
Reserve Chief of Staff of Great Lakes district command overseeing 300 reservists; member of numerous personnel promotion, assignment, and continuation boards.
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