2010 District Awards Conference

The District Awards Conference is scheduled for March 19-21, 2010 at the Mystic Marriott. Please visit the Conference Page for more information.

Click here to download the Over the Bow - Conference Edition

Welcome to the First Southern Public Affairs Website

Public Affairs is an informational catalyst that successfully promotes the Auxiliary and its programs. The Public Affairs Department builds, reinforces and promotes the Coast Guard Auxiliary by initiating and maintaining ongoing relationships with the US Coast Guard, multi-level media and the entire national public. Internally we interact with every department of the Auxiliary promoting their efforts and accomplishments on both an internal and external level.

Our mission is to promote the development and enhancement of public understanding in regard to the role of the Auxiliary. In addition we focus on elevating public level of appreciation for the Auxiliary and its programs

District Staff Officer - Public Affairs

Dee Thompson (Bio)
District Staff Officer, Public Affairs
First Southern District
E-Mail: Scottieth@comcast.net

Public Affairs 2009 Initiatives

Assistant District Staff Officers

Public Affairs Initiatives

Dee Thompson - Bio

I am currently retired; formerly, I was the Vice President, Director of Global Operations for a major financial corporation.

I managed Global Operations, Client and Custodial Relationships and Account Administration. I reported directly to the President; I worked with him on Strategic Planning and Marketing; this included establishing numerous procedures designed to increase both productivity and profitability while maximizing organizational effectiveness.

I designed, built and managed the Account Administration Department that initially controlled 19 billion dollars in assets and matured to manage over 72 billion dollars; this department handled all aspects of cash movement, foreign currency trading, settlements, reconciliation, corporate actions and client reporting.

In addition to my senior level management of all aspects of accounts, cash movement and departmental staff, I established regulatory policy and procedures for domestic and international accounts under management. I also managed the Information Systems Department and designed the company Disaster Contingency Plan. I received the Search for Excellence Award.

Auxiliary Experience

I joined the Auxiliary in 1999. I am Crew Qualified and have held offices in Public Affairs, Materials and Finance. I created and coordinated the “Salute to the United States Coast Guard” in Woodbridge Township N.J. This event brings the Captain of the Port of New York, Captain Robert O'Brien, and other high caliber officers together to accept recognition for their outstanding service to the community and the nation. When I created this event I designed it to carry through each year as an annual public affairs event. Awards are presented to the Coast Guard by the Mayor and a State Senator with participation of the Navy League, State Police and first responders. I also arrange for Miss USO, Pipers, Veterans, Auxiliary Color Guard, Veterans Guards and an impressive simulation of a live helicopter rescue.

I have worked very closely with the Active Duty side including LCDR Brian Donahue; during his Command of the Coast Guard Cutter Katherine Walker I was successful in working with him to get the Empire State Building lit up in Coast Guard Blue for the Anniversary of the USCG Cutter Katherine Walker (two years in a row). I also arranged and coordinated having a movie filmed on the ship for Cable Television to promote both the Auxiliary and Coast Guard.

I worked very closely with LCDR Amy E. Florentino on numerous occasions; in one instance during Fleet Week 2008 I arranged major media coverage for her 174 ft US Coast Guard Cutter during an intense live search and rescue demonstration in New York harbor. The cutter was the command platform for this event. The media was ecstatic to have such a great opportunity in filming this helicopter, rescue swimmers and speeding boats displaying a good guy-bad guy scenario; this event also gave me the exceptionally unique opportunity to promote both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary on a very large scale. The exciting SAR demo with interviews was shown several times on various TV channels, media websites and released in newspapers.

LCDR Amy Florentino and I established a strong working relationship; we enjoyed writing articles together, both adding our pens to report on events we jointly participated in; including fleet week; our articles were printed in both Auxiliary and Coast Guard Magazines. We also worked closely in recruiting candidates for the Coast Guard Academy.

During 2008 I wrote and submitted over ten very substantial articles to Over the Bow and the Navigator with numerous photos.

One important aspect of my personal mission in 2009 is to focus on strengthening the inner core of Auxiliary Public Affairs; enabling us to build a new respect for the level of accomplishment of the Coast Guard Auxiliary of District First Southern.