Experience

U.S. Coast Guard | Chief Warrant Officer | 2009 - present

Seventeen years of regulatory oversight of complex federal laws, regulations and international treaties. I inspect commercial vessels, respond to and investigate marine casualties, verify security compliance under MTSA, and work with industry and agencies from local to international levels.

Technical scope

Lifesaving and firefighting equipmentBridge and navigation equipmentStructural fire protection and watertight integrityMain propulsion and auxiliary machineryElectrical systems and fire detectionDry dock exams: welds, shafting, rudders, sea valvesConstruction plan reviewMarine casualty investigationMTSA security verificationCyber risk management in safety management systems
Responders gathered for a briefing beside a ship at a waterfront terminalMe briefing industry and fire department personnel at a terminal

Roles

Senior Maritime Safety and Compliance Officer

2023 - Present | Great Lakes

  • Port state control and domestic inspector for a busy Great Lakes port spanning two states and a 427-mile international border, covering safety, security plans, stability, structures, machinery, electrical systems, manning and pollution prevention.
  • Led a team of eight in vessel inspections while carrying a full inspector workload, completing 119 inspections as the only qualified inspector at the time.
  • Identified 165+ safety discrepancies on the oldest commercial fleet in the U.S., including fire hazards on passenger vessels, to reduce casualty risk while keeping commerce moving.
  • Verify MTSA vessel security compliance and evaluate whether security plans and safety management systems address cyber risk, using USCG cyber guidance and the NIST framework.
  • Duty marine inspector with 24/7 casualty response. Led responses to a deep draft freighter engine room fire and a grounding in a restricted channel, and coordinated the multi-agency effort to re-float a 1,000-foot vessel and restore the marine transportation system.
  • Lead inspector on Canadian ferry exams that found critical lifesaving machinery deficiencies; supervised multi-month bulk freighter repair projects valued over $1M.
  • Developed policy to address crew scarcity in Great Lakes shipping; trained five vessel inspectors and mentored new staff after heavy turnover.

Safety and Compliance Programs

2023 - Present | Collateral duties

  • Led improvements to the regional shipyard safety audit program and found OSHA violations affecting inspectors working in confined spaces.
  • Helped form a district marine firefighting task force and its bulk freighter fire prevention program.
  • Recertified as an NFPA Fire Protection Specialist.

Maritime Inspection and Project Oversight Specialist

2022 - 2023 | Gulf Coast

  • Completed 110+ vessel inspections while qualifying on multiple vessel types, including small passenger vessels ahead of schedule.
  • Resolved 30+ safety, security and pollution prevention deficiencies with minimal disruption to industry.
  • Oversight manager for six hazardous chemical tank barge new construction projects valued at $60M+, keeping key milestones on schedule.
  • Directed shipyard health and safety audits that found significant fall hazards; ran the confined space entry program.
  • Served as the towing vessel compliance expert and oversaw a long-term project returning a derelict vessel to commercial service.
  • Briefed industry safety professionals on the Coast Guard perspective at a regional safety society chapter.

Maritime Safety Operations Supervisor

2021 - 2022 | Alaska

  • Completed 30+ vessel inspections, performing duties normally held by more senior officers.
  • Built and led a training program for nine Marine Science Technicians and streamlined administrative processes.

Lead Vessel Examiner and Safety Compliance Officer

2018 - 2021 | Gulf of Mexico

  • Led an enlisted team in offshore examinations of very large crude carrier (VLCC) tank ships, enforcing environmental regulations and verifying essential safety systems.
  • Prepared and performed initial inspections of 200+ towing vessels, supporting the largest towing fleet in the U.S.

Maritime Geospatial Intelligence Analyst

2016 - 2018 | Washington, DC area

  • Applied remote sensing and data analysis to Arctic navigation safety.
  • Collaborated with 50+ organizations including NASA and NSF, and served as liaison to the National Ice Center.

Maritime Safety and Environmental Response Officer

2012 - 2016 | New England

  • Examined vessels and regulated facilities for compliance with federal and international standards.
  • Led marine pollution investigations across a 3,000-mile coastal region and trained 150+ HAZWOPER students.

Maritime Operations Specialist, Engineering

2009 - 2012 | Pacific

  • Supported search and rescue and counter-drug operations covering 32,000+ nautical miles aboard a cutter.