CAPTAIN MICHAEL N. PARKS
CHIEF OF STAFF
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
Captain Michael Parks assumed his current duties as the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area Chief of Staff in July of 2008 having just completed a two year assignment in the Ninth Coast Guard District where he initially served as Chief of Response and concluded his tour as D9’s Chief of Staff. Prior to reporting to Cleveland, Captain Parks was CGC GALLATIN’s (WHEC-721) 20th Commanding Officer in Charleston, South Carolina. In June 2004, Captain Parks received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy and Policy from the National War College in Washington, D.C. He is a 1982 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and earned a Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C in 1994.
Captain Parks’ seagoing career includes six tours afloat and four in command. His initial assignment was as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC DECISVE (WMEC-629) home ported in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has served as Commanding Officer of the 82-foot patrol boat USCGC POINT DIVIDE (WPB-82337) in Newport Beach, California; the 110-foot patrol boat USCGC MATAGORDA (WPB-1303) home ported in Miami Beach, Florida; and the 270-foot medium endurance cutter USCGC LEGARE (WMEC-912) in Portsmouth, Virginia. He also served as Executive Officer aboard USCGC VENTUROUS (WMEC-625) home ported in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Assignments ashore have included duty as Senior Operations Center Controller in the 11th Coast Guard District’s Command Center in Long Beach, California; Aide to the Vice Commandant at Coast Guard Headquarters; Congressional Fellow for U.S. Senator John Breaux (D-LA) in Washington, D.C.; and as Chief of the Coast Guard’s Command & Operations School at the Leadership Development Center at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
Captain Parks’ personal awards include two Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons and various service and unit awards. Captain Parks is a native of Brookfield, New York.