Jon Ladyga
San Diego,CA
Summary
National security and operations executive with 20+ years leading mission-critical organizations, billion dollar resource portfolios, and enterprise transformation with direct experience at the White House, DHS, and at all levels of the Coast Guard. Trusted advisor to senior executives on strategy, resourcing, crisis leadership, and organizational performance. Recognized for building high performing teams, deep networking skills, and delivering measurable operational results for the Nation.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Officer
Maritime Security Response Team West
San Diego, California
07.2025 - Current
- Leads 280 personnel responsible for high-risk Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Interdiction maritime operations across the globe.
- Advanced strategic priorities of National, DHS, and Coast Guard to secure U.S. border, counter malign activity in Indo-Pacific, ensure operational readiness in Polar regions, and enhance capabilities to defeat maritime threats.
- Forged strategic partnerships with DHS Components, DOE, DoW, and international partners to deliver impactful operational results for the Nation.
Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
Washington, District of Columbia
07.2024 - 07.2025
- Key architect of Coast Guard’s $20B+ reconciliation funding package to advance critical Force Design initiatives and restore Service readiness.
- Engaged with Coast Guard executive leaders, White House (OMB and NSC), DHS, Congress, and industry to advance multi-year budgets and secure investments in key acquisition programs.
- Expertly linked Coast Guard’s strategic goals with key performance. mission, and operational metrics to achieve resourcing outcomes.
Chief of Response & Enforcement Division
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound
Seattle, WA
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Directed Coast Guard maritime law enforcement, security, and environmental protection missions in Nation's 3rd largest port complex with shared U.S. and Canadian international border.
- Led 350+ active duty and reservists across eight patrol boats and five boat stations, executing search and rescue operations and all-hazard incident response across the Pacific Northwest, enhancing regional safety and emergency readiness.
Program Examiner, National Security Division
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President
Washington, DC
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Program Examiner in Veterans Affairs and Defense Health Branch responsible for $10B portfolio spanning Information Technology, Electronic Health Record modernization, and Capital/Acquisition programs supporting major VA construction projects nationwide.
- Supported Deputy Associate Director in National Security Division Front Office, coordinated with DoD leadership on strategic resourcing issues while managing $70B Air Force account.
Program and Budget Analyst (CG-DCO-82)
Office of Budget Development, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
Washington, DC
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Oversaw $1.1B portfolio for Cyber, Intelligence, and Command and Control programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Managed the multi-year federal budget cycle by integrating Coast Guard and DHS strategic guidance with requirements, capability gaps, and performance metrics.
Future Operations Department Head
U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Directed strategic planning, training, and long-range scheduling for six Coast Guard Patrol Boats in Arabian Gulf, overseeing 250 personnel and managing $10M operating budget to ensure operational readiness.
- Coordinated with Naval Forces Central Command to plan and execute major military exercises, including International Mine Countermeasure Exercise with 40 nations, 70 ships, and over 6,500 mariners, enhancing multinational naval collaboration.
Special Assistant to the Military Advisor to the Secretary
Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Delivered executive briefings and drafted correspondence for DHS Secretary, Components, and Congressional decision-makers on critical policy issues, enhancing understanding of cybersecurity, transnational crime, and immigration.
- Collaborated with military liaisons, commercial industry, and interagency stakeholders to secure $40M funding for National Guard support to Customs and Border Protection along southwest border, strengthening border security operations.
Officer-in-Charge, Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 407
Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South
Miami, FL
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Completed six counter-narcotics deployments to the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea on U.S. Navy and Allied ships, resulting in the seizure of 7,250 kilograms of cocaine valued at $195M and arrest of 26 narcotics traffickers.
- Executed first Coast Guard deployment on Littoral Combat Ship USS FREEDOM (LCS-1), integrating airborne use of force tactics to interdict 4 high-speed vessels carrying 4,400 kilograms cocaine.
Operations Department, Deck Watch Officer
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter VALIANT (WMEC 621)
Miami, FL
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Oversaw 45 personnel across 5 divisions and managed $50K budget as Operations Department Head.
- Directed maritime law enforcement and non-compliant vessel pursuit operations, achieving asylum screening and repatriation for 1,200+ migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico.
Education
National Security Fellow - Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Cambridge, MAMaster of Public Administration (MPA) - Federal Budgeting & Program Evaluation
George Washington University
Washington, DCBachelor of Science - Government Concentration in International Affairs
United States Coast Guard Academy
New London, CTSkills
- Federal budgeting (PPBE)
- Policy analysis
- Program evaluation
- Strategic Planning
- Performance Management
- Operational Execution
- Change Management
- Organizational Transformation
- Crisis Leadership
- Executive Leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic Messaging
Accomplishments
- Attended Project Evergreen strategic workshop to evaluate and shape the future of the Coasts missions, capabilities, and workforce requirements.
- Capstone paper at George Washington University on Coast Guard womens retention challenges resulted in a commissioned RAND Study and significant organizational change.
Timeline
Executive Officer
Maritime Security Response Team West
07.2025 - Current
Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
07.2024 - 07.2025
Chief of Response & Enforcement Division
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound
01.2020 - 01.2023
Program Examiner, National Security Division
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President
01.2018 - 01.2020
Program and Budget Analyst (CG-DCO-82)
Office of Budget Development, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
01.2017 - 01.2018
Future Operations Department Head
U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
01.2014 - 01.2015
Special Assistant to the Military Advisor to the Secretary
Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
01.2012 - 01.2014
Officer-in-Charge, Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 407
Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South
01.2009 - 01.2012
Operations Department, Deck Watch Officer
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter VALIANT (WMEC 621)
01.2007 - 01.2009
National Security Fellow - Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Federal Budgeting & Program Evaluation
George Washington University
Bachelor of Science - Government Concentration in International Affairs
United States Coast Guard Academy