ALCOAST 206/08
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  2007 USCG AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR
1.  I AM VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTION OF MR. CHRISTOPHER
M. TODD OF FLOTILLA 6-11 IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT AS THE 2007
AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR.
2.  HAVING ENROLLED IN THE AUXILIARY IN DECEMBER 2006, MR. TODD
DEMONSTRATED SUPERB ENTHUSIASM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY BY DEDICATING
OVER 750 HOURS TO TRAINING AND QUALIFYING IN AN EXTREMELY WIDE
ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN MANY AUXILIARY
MISSION AREAS. MR. TODD OFFERED HIS TWO PERSONAL VESSELS (41
EXPRESS CRUISER AND PWC) FOR USE AS OPERATIONAL PATROL FACILITIES,
AND HE COMPLETED THE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING BATTERY OF SURFACE
QUALIFICATIONS (CREWMAN, COXSWAIN, PWC OPERATOR) IN A SINGLE
CALENDAR YEAR. HE SUBSEQUENTLY CONDUCTED OVER 60 HOURS OF PATROL
OPERATIONS.
3. AS HIS FLOTILLAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, MR. TODD BECAME A
MEMBER OF THE AUXILIARY NATIONAL PHOTO CORPS, AND HE DEVELOPED AND
IMPLEMENTED AN INTERNET-BASED MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO HELP RECRUIT
NEW MEMBERS TO THE AUXILIARY AND REJUVENATE FLOTILLA 6-11S
MEMBERSHIP BASE.  WORKING IN CONCERT WITH THE PERSONNEL SERVICES
PROGRAM, MR. TODD HELPED RECRUIT MORE THAN 20 NEW AUXILIARISTS IN
2007. HE SPEARHEADED LOCAL EFFORTS FOR NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
IN MAY 2007. BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OFFICE OF
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HE COORDINATED A MEDIA STRATEGY THAT INCLUDED PRESS
RELEASES, MEDIA COVERAGE OF FLOTILLA VESSEL SAFETY CHECK
ACTIVITIES, AND INTERVIEWS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY PROMOTED RECREATIONAL
BOATING SAFETY IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. DEMONSTRATING
EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION, MR. TODD ALSO SERVED IN SEVERAL OTHER KEY
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS INCLUDING VESSEL EXAMINATIONS, PUBLIC EDUCATION,
MARINE DEALER VISITS, AND MEMBER TRAINING.
4. I APPLAUD MR. TODD FOR HIS EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AND SPIRIT OF
SERVICE.  HE, AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED COAST GUARD PERSONNEL, WILL
BE RECOGNIZED DURING CEREMONIES IN WASHINGTON, DC THE WEEK OF 9 JUN
08.
5. THE FOLLOWING AUXILIARISTS WERE FINALISTS FOR SELECTION AND ARE
CONGRATULATED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT:
      MR. DICKIE R. REESE, FLOTILLA 87, D8 - EASTERN REGION
      MR. JIM D. BLACKBURN, FLOTILLA 57, D11 - NORTHERN REGION
6. VADM DAVID P. PEKOSKE, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS,
SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.