Change of Watch: New Staff Officers for 2012



COMO Allen Brown administers the oath of office to Dave, Shuster, Flotilla Commander, and John Gaston, Flotilla Vice Commander, at the Change of Watch on Decembeer 15 at the Plican Isle Yacht Club

Staff officers for 2012

Some old, some new, some scrambled but all are ready to go.

At the alphabetical top in Communications is Ed Walters, who moves from Human Resources and Materials to tackle a new and unfamiliar challenge.  Ed is training to qualify for Telecommunications Operator.  

Next we find Allen Thompson back in Finance keeping an eye on our money.  At Information Services, Bob Morrison is again making sure our activities show up in AUXDATA.

The Marine Safety job is in good hands with our most decorated veteran, George Stancil, leading the way.

George Stancil (left) receives the President’s Volunteer Service Award for the third year in a row from COMO Allen Brown.

Member Training will have the attention of Larry Urbanek, our immediate past Flotilla Commander and newly elected Division Vice Commander.  Larry will be making sure that the higher standards he initiated are carried out.

Awards! Awards! Awards!

At the November 16 meeting, performance awards went to Jim Mayer, Operations, Ribbon “O” (not present); Grant Skaggs, Operations, Ribbon “O”; Phillip Smith, Operations, Bronze Star; George Stancil, Vessel Examiner/Program Visitations, and Recreational Boating Safety, Bronze Star.

A Bronze Star went to Richard Brant for Telecommunications Operator.

The TCT Training Certificate went to Richard Brant, Michael DiPierro, Gregory Guederian, Ned Herrmann and Michael Murphy.

The Change of Watch featured special awards, including the Auxiliary Commandant’s Letter of Commendation to Neil Arnal.

The Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation went to the Flotilla 96 Recreational Boating Safety Team, which included: 

Neil Arnal (right with COMO Brown),  Bernard Appelman, Richard Brant, Joseph Dejesus, Kenneth Haydon, Heinz Janke, Vincent Lattuca, James McCaffrey, Melvin Millstein, Robert Morrison, Michael Murphy, Alan Poyser, David Shuster, Grant Skaggs, Roberta Skaggs, George Stancil and Billy Willsey.

Meet New Members 

Raymond Mino

Ray is a recently retired electrician from Greenwood Lake, New York, a small village just west of West Point.  In 1964 he joined the Coast Guard Reserve, serving one year on active duty and several years in the reserve.  He left the Coast Guard as a Second Class Electrician’s Mate.

Ray and his wife, Blanche, moved to Naples in 2010 as full-time residents.  They have two daughters and four grandchildren.  All were in Naples to celebrate Christmas together.

Richard Laughlin

Richard spent 30 years in the US Navy and the past 15 years as a government contractor working for the Navy He is a logistics engineer and was site manager for the NAVSEA Staging Facility Atlantic before moving on to his present position.

He is currently the Logistics Test Lead for the Virginia Class Submarine Program. 

Richard says he joined the Auxiliary to give back and to keep the sea lanes safe.

The Minutes In a Minute

November 16, 2011.  Thirty-two members attended the general meeting and we welcomed three guests:  Ralph Catanese, Ray Mino, and our Auxiliary Liaison officer, Samuel Muentes from Station Fort Myers Beach.

In addition to other awards, our Flotilla Commander, Larry Urbanek, recognized six members who completed the recent Flotilla Leadership Course.  Citations included Billy Willsey, ribbon; George Stancil, Bronze Star; Phill Smith, Bronze Star; Al Lazzaro (not present) Bronze Star; Gus Karlsen (not present) ribbon; and John Gaston, Bronze Star.

Announcements of Interest:

·         Dave Shuster, incoming Flotilla Commander, announced three goals for the flotilla in the coming year:

1.    Significantly increase recruiting and retention

2.    Improve mission excellence in all areas

3.    Expand organizational relationships

·         Allen Thompson, Finance Officer, reported that 20 members have not paid their yearly dues.

·         Six trainees are taking the Telecommunications Officer class.

·         After a successful presentation to about 100 members at the Brooks Fishing Club, they have expressed interest in hosting a safe boating class at their facility.

We have conducted 450 Vessel Examinations this year and need 66 more to break last year’s record.

New Liaison Officer Samuel Muentes

Sam Muentes is the new Auxiliary Liaison Officer (AUXLO) assigned to our flotilla.  Previously, Sam served as the AUXLO for Flotilla 91.

Sam is an E5.  He’s been in the Coast Guard for  8 1/2 years and at Station Fort Myers Beach for two years.  His previous duty station was in Maine, so he’s experiencing a real change of climate.  Sam grew up in north-central Florida.  Prior to joining the Coast Guard he worked as an engine mechanic in shipyards. 

Sam’s current specialty at the station is Damage Control officer.  His primary duty is to help other station personnel with housing issues, which range from moving in to remodeling work. Sam serves on the Morale Committee at the station.  In that role he hopes to increase opportunities for station personnel and Auxiliary members to work together on charitable activities.

Sam has two daughters.  His wife, Brandy, works at Lee Memorial Hospital. By Jim Samples

January Calendar of Events and Activities

DATE	EVENT	LOCATION
Jan. 11 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM	Staff Officers Meeting	Flotilla Building
Jan. 14 - 9:00 AM to Noon	Vessel Inspections	Wiggins Pass & Lovers Key Boat Ramps
Jan. 14 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM	About Boating Safety - Day 1	Flotilla Building
Jan. 18 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM	Members Social Hour	Flotilla Building
Jan. 18 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM	Members Meeting	Flotilla Building
Jan. 23 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM	Local Waters Knowledge	Flotilla Building
Jan. 26 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM	GPS for Mariners	Flotilla Building
Jan. 28 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM	About Boating Safety - Day 2	Flotilla Building
Jan. 28 - 9:00 AM to Noon	Vessel Inspections	Wiggins Pass & Lovers Key Boat Ramps

  Note:  Uniform for Staff Officers meeting is casual attire.  Members meeting is tropical blues.