Education
He graduated from high school in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York City. He graduated with honors from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and also attended graduate schools at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Alaska. Furthermore, he graduated with high distinction from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. in 1998, he was honored with the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award.
Career
During his tenure as Commandant, he successfully led the service through difficult budget battles each year and directed the "streamlining" plan that was mandated by the National Performance Review and "Mandate for Change." Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy in 1961, he was commissioned as an Ensign. Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, he joined the Houston, Texas-based American Bureau of Shipping, serving as President of the Americas Division from 1998 to 2004, and as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2004 to 2006.
