Admiral
Thomas H. Collins, who is committed to effective use of emerging
technologies and developing innovative methods to improve Coast Guard
mission performance, will be speaking on homeland security as it
relates to the protection of shipping and ports.
Prior to becoming Commandant in May 2002, he served as the Coast
Guard's Vice Commandant where he created the Innovation Council,
spearheaded service-wide process improvement initiatives and directed
system enhancements as the Coast Guard Acquisition Executive. From 1998
to 2000, he served as Commander, Pacific Area and Eleventh Coast Guard
District, where he developed the successful Coast Guard response to the
increase in illegal drug and migrant smuggling traffic in the Eastern
Pacific. His other flag assignments include serving in Honolulu and at
Coast Guard Headquarters where he laid the foundation for the
Integrated Deepwater System project to modernize the ships, aircraft
and sensors that the Coast Guard uses to perform its many open ocean
missions.
Prior to his promotion to Flag Officer in 1994, he served as the
Chief, Programs Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, and then the
Coast Guard's Deputy Chief of Staff.
Admiral Collins graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1968 and
later served as a faculty member within the Humanities Department. He
is the recipient of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the
Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (two
awards), and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards).