Rear Admiral Steven D. Poulin
Director of Governmental & Public Affairs
United States Coast Guard
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Rear Admiral Poulin is the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, where he is responsible for Coast Guard external engagement with Congress, the media and other intergovernmental entities.
RDML Poulin previously served as the Chief, Office of Maritime and International Law. From April 2009 to July 2010, he was the Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile, where he directed Coast Guard operations in Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. He further served as the Incident Commander for Deepwater Horizon oil spill response operations in that same geographic area from April 2010 to September 2010. His previous operational tours include Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector Mobile from 2007 – 2009; Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Group Galveston, Texas, from 1996-1999; and Law Enforcement Officer and Assistant Operations Officer at Coast Guard Group Mobile, Alabama, from 1986-1989. He was assigned as a Deck Watch Officer on USCGC DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624) from 1984-1985.
RDML Poulin's staff assignments have been diverse. He served as Special Adviser for Border and Transportation Security in the Office of Vice President Cheney, from 2005-2007. From 2003-2004, he was the Coast Guard's liaison to the State Department's Office of Oceans Affairs, where he served on U.S. delegations to myriad committees of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He was the Legal Counsel for the Coast Guard's Port Security Director from 2002-2003, where he helped negotiate, draft, and implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. From 1999-2001, he served as the Legislative Counsel in the Coast Guard's Office of Congressional Affairs, where he helped develop and advocate the Coast Guard's legislative agenda with relevant congressional committees. He also served on the U.S. delegation to the Legal Committee of the IMO, from 1994-1996, where he helped conclude agreements on liability for hazardous and noxious substance spills and the civil arrest of ships. From 1992-1994, he was assigned to the Coast Guard's General Law Division, where he provided legal advice on Coast Guard authorities, fiscal law, privacy laws, employment law, and ethics.
He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. He was awarded his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992. Other degrees include: Master of Law (Environmental Law), with highest honors, from the George Washington University Law School in 2002; Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2005; and Master of Public Administration from the University of South Alabama in 1989, where he was awarded the James H. Boyd Memorial Award for Excellence in Public Administration. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), and Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
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