Shipmates,
Today the Secretary recommended to the President the following senior leadership nominations.
Vice Commandant, VADM Dave Pekoske
Pacific Area Commander, RADM Jody Breckenridge
Chief of Staff, RADM John Currier
VADM Papp continues to serve as Atlantic Area Commander and RADM Sally Brice-O'Hara continues as Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO).
I congratulate these fine officers and look forward to working with them as we continue to modernize our Service. We will also continue to work with the Congress to authorize the establishment of new leadership positions and elevate the DCO billet to the grade of Vice Admiral.
It is a bittersweet announcement as well as we will celebrate the retirements of VADM Vivien Crea and VADM Cliff Pearson. VADM Pearson has been a tremendous force for change in our support community and his counsel has been critical in our modernization efforts. VADM Crea and I first served together in 1986 when she was the military aide to President Reagan and I was the liaison officer to the White House for the celebration of the relighting of the Statue of Liberty. She has been an extraordinary partner, providing wise counsel to me at critical times. It would be difficult to adequately describe the impact she has had on the Coast Guard as a leader, operator, senior manager, and above all, role model.
