Jason Gunning

Manages Coast Guard operations overseeing maritime safety, security & environmental stewardship across South Texas from Matagorda Bay to the U.S.-Mexico border as Captain of the Port (COTP), Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspection (OCMI), Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC), and Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC). Leads 530 personnel with 8 shore units, 21 vessels, 3 cutters. Deputy Sector Commander from May 2020 - June 2022 prior to fleet up.

Advisor and office manager to the USCG Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P) in policy, standards, and program alignment for the prevention activities of the Coast Guard to achieve marine safety, security, and stewardship. Programs include waterways management, navigation safety, recreational boating, commercial vessels, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, inspection, and port state control. Program oversaw 830 staff across 15 offices and units and $32 million annual budget.

Led all marine safety and security operations for Sector Long Island Sound to manage waterway, facility and vessel risks to the marine transportation system across Connecticut and Long Island, NY including 3 deep draft ports, 270 passenger vessels, 600 fishing vessels, 60 petroleum & chemical facilities and a vast recreational boating community. Operations included inspections, investigations, waterways management and aids to navigation management, supervising 80 personnel and $350K annual budget.

Division Chief for Office of Incident Management & Contingency Planning. Developed CG policy alignment with national frameworks, coordinated with federal agencies (FEMA, NOAA, BSEE), other CG offices across Nation. Managed immediate staff of 10 and oversaw Emergency Management Preparedness Officer (EPLO) program with 14 CG senior reservists in support of regional interagency response at Districts. CG Liaison watchstander at FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) during activations for disaster response – integrated CG actions to support federal response. Founding member of Leadership Committee for Directorate of Response Policy(CG-5R)–promoted professional growth & leadership under CG flag officer.

Oversaw all Coast Guard operations to ensure marine safety, security, law enforcement and environmental protection across Southwest Louisiana and the Port of Lake Charles including 2 liquefied natural gas facilities and 90 miles of inland waterway. As second in command, led 71 member unit and $800k budget.

Conducted vessel inspections on U.S. flag and foreign flag vessels across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Marine inspector on domestic and foreign vessels of all types (tank ships and barges, containerships, passenger vessels) calling on the Port of Houston.

Deck watch officer responsible for overseeing navigational of vessel and watch for law enforcement operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (DAUNTLESS) and aids to navigation along the Texas coast (PAPAW).