I grew up in a Navy family, starting off in California, then moving up and down the East Coast before my father retired in Boston and moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts. I graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science in earth and atmospheric sciences.  I enjoyed my time in Atlanta, but quickly came to realize I was happier near the ocean.  After college, I received my Coast Guard commission through Officer Candidate School located alongside the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. After commissioning, I served on two Coast Guard cutters, the CGC CAMPBELL then homeported in New Bedford, Massachusetts and CGC ASSATEAGUE, homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a Coast Guard law enforcement officer, I conducted fisheries enforcement in the North Atlantic, drug and migrant interdiction in the Caribbean, helped train foreign sailors in the Baltic Sea and inspected hundreds of commercial vessels entering Hawaiian waters following the September 11^th attacks.  I returned to Massachusetts to earn my law degree at Suffolk University in Boston where I received certificates in environmental and international law.  After law school, I received my JAG designation at Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island then served on temporary duty working with Marine Corps attorneys at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.  Afterwards, I worked as a Coast Guard judge advocate in Boston and Juneau, Alaska with those assignments separated by another sea tour aboard CGC HARRIET LANE, homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia.  My final assignment with the Coast Guard was with the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice. I worked alongside DOJ and Assistant U.S. Attorneys around the country investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes.  I was fortunate enough to be appointed Commandant following my retirement from the Coast Guard and I am enjoying exploring all that Downeast Maine has to offer.

A lifelong sailor, I share my enjoyment of being on the water with my wife and kids.  My wife and I operated small passenger vessels through high school and college in our hometown of Marblehead. We also share a love of soccer, but while Kristin continues to play, I have transitioned to refereeing youth matches.

What is your favorite aspect of campus life? The proximity to water and the wide array of vessels from 420s to our training ship, State of Maine.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy reading about and analyzing maritime mishaps and rescues at sea.

What is something about you that might surprise students?

I was once on an episode of ‘Name Your Adventure’ with Mario Lopez.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Cool Runnings.

Do you have pets?

We have had a variety of small animals that lived in cages, but recently acquired a new puppy.

What is your favorite book?

It’s tough to pick a single book! My favorite books on leadership are on the Commandant’s Reading list.  When reading for pleasure, I tend to follow authors. For example, I am a fan of Tom Clancy’s original works (Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), Bear and the Dragon (2000), etc.) most anything by Bill Bryson ((Walk in the Woods (1998), The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America (1989)), and historical nonfiction by James Bradley (Flags of our Fathers (2000), The Imperial Cruise (2009)).