Galleries

Steven M. Budar

2007-Present

Gene M. Seibert

2005-2006

Commodore Gene M. Seibert was elected National Commodore on 3 September 2004 and served as National Commodore from November 1, 2004 until 31 October 2006.

Likewise, he served as the Chairman and CEO of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. from 1 November 2004 through 31 October 2006.  He served on the Board of Directors of the Coast Guard Foundation and on the Board of Directors for the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) during this same period.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Boat US and the United Safe Boating Institute.

Commodore Seibert was the first Auxiliarist appointed to the Coast Guard's Leadership Council by Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, United States Coast Guard and continues to serve in this position.

Commodore Seibert graduated from Thomas More College in Kentucky, in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.  He also holds an MBA (1976) in Procurement and Contracts from George Washington University, Washington, DC, and 2 Master of Science (1994 & 1997) degrees, in Government Contracting and International Contracting, respectively, also from George Washington University.  He is a registered member of the National Contract Management Association.

The Commodore retired from Lucent Technologies after 34 years of service.  While employed by Lucent Technologies, he held the senior management position of Area Vice President, International, Government and Domestic Contract Management.  He was responsible for the management of Contract Management, Negotiations and Administration from opportunity identification through contract signing and contract closeout.  He managed an organization of professional sales personnel, program managers and contract specialists.

Other key positions held with Lucent Technologies included: Director, Merger and Acquisitions and Director, Sales Realization and Technical Consulting.

Since joining the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1984, Seibert has served in all elected positions, as well as in numerous staff positions within each level of the Auxiliary.  He is an AUXOP Member, holds qualifications as Coxswain, Air Crew, Vessel Examiner, Instructor, Marine Dealer Visitor, and is a Qualification Examiner.  He is active in operations, public education, member training and vessel examinations and served as the Flight Safety Advisor for Fifth District (SR).  Commodore Seibert and his wife, Maria, are members of Flotilla 12-02, Fifth District, Southern Region.

Commodore Seibert has received many awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Award (3), Life Membership, Commendation Medal, Transportation 9/11 Medal, Achievement Medal, Commandant Letter of Commendation, Coast Guard Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation (OPS), Sustained Auxiliary Service Award, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation (OP, 2), Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon, Coast Guard Group Action Award, and Flotilla Auxiliarist of the Year.

A native of Kentucky, Seibert currently resides in Virginia with his wife Maria.  They have 4 children: 3 daughters and 1 son, and 3 grandchildren.

E.W. Edgerton

2003-2004

Viggo C. Bartelsen

2001-2002

Everette L. Tucker, Jr.

1997-2000

Peter W. Melera

1995-1996

Joseph J. Lanz, Jr.

1993-1994

Joseph J. Lanz was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1929, where he has been a life long resident.  In 1951, he graduated from Allegheny Technical College and eventually went into business for himself as the owner of an optical company.  Lanz enrolled in the Auxiliary in 1975, having joined as a result of taking a PE class.  Over the years he was elected to offices at all levels of the organization.

During his tour as NACO from 1993 to 1994.  Lanz was responsible, along with his Board, for the development of the landmark legislation "Coast Guard Auxiliary Act of 1994" and was instrumental in moving the proposed legislation to a positive conclusion.  The national board was also responsible for changing the antiquated Auxiliary penalty indicia mail system to the "Official Mail" system currently used today.  They developed and implemented N-Train, the yearly training conference that replaced the three Area Conferences.  In1993, under Lanz's leadership, the Auxiliary began the Wal Mart initiative through which many stores in the chain cooperated with local flotillas, allowing use of their facilities for the promotion of boating safety.  Lanz also promoted a greater awareness of the Auxiliary and its programs among the active duty and reserve Coast Guard and its leadership.

Commodore Lanz was the first NACO to be made a voting member of the CG Flag Corps, was awarded the Auxiliary Commendation Medal in 1988 and 2006 and the Department of Transportation Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award by Commandant Robert E. Kramek in 1994.  Lanz currently serves as the Auxiliary's National Chairman of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program.

Commodore Lanz is a Korean War era veteran, during which time he served as an Army Signal Corps instructor at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey and was deployed overseas to Paris, France.  In Pittsburgh he was also active in his church and the Federal Credit Union.  Lanz shares retirement with his wife of fifty-six years Joan Strobel Lanz, and is the proud father of four daughters and grandfather of eight.

Stanley Y. Kennedy

1991-1992

Deceased

Stanley Y. Kennedy, Jr., a retired career army officer and decorated World War II veteran, was elected national commodore in 1991.  Kennedy first joined the Auxiliary in 1974 as a charter member of the Kent Island, Maryland flotilla and became one of the first coxswains in the Fifth CG District (NR), earning the AUXOP device in 1980.  He was also an active vessel examiner and instructor.  He was first elected flotilla commander in 1977 and rose through the ranks of elected office.  He was awarded the Department of Transportation Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award in recognition for his two outstanding years as national commodore.

Kennedy went on to serve as a member of the National Safe Boating Council.  During his professional career Kennedy was known as a strong and empathetic leader and tremendous problem solver.  While en route to an NSBC meeting he suffered a heart attack and died on January 7, 1995.

Kennedy was born on November 26, 1920 to career officer Army Captain and Mrs. William Y. Kennedy in Rockford, Illinois.  He was commissioned in the U. S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1943 and served in the European Theater, earning the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Stars for valor.  While serving with occupation forces he met his future wife Margarethe Fuhrer with whom he had two daughters.  Kennedy continued his army career in various command and staff positions in the armored branch.  He retired as a colonel in 1968, after serving as the executive officer for the assistant secretary of the army for research and development.  Six years later, he switched from army green to Bender Blues with his 45-foot boat in tow.

Kennedy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on January 17, 1995.  The honorary pall bearers were led by Coast Guard Cmdt. Robert E. Kramek.  [Navigator, Spring 1995, p. 4.]