Prevention (Marine Safety)  Department

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Commercial Vessel Examination Division | Communication and Education Division | America's Waterway Watch Division
 

Meet the Staff
(Department Page)

Mr. Kester became Department Chief in December, 2006 after serving as  Deputy Department Chief from April 2005 and as Division Chief – Marine Safety since January 2000. In this capacity he is responsible for overseeing staff within the Department and directing national programs for commercial vessel safety, port safety and security, waterways management, and marine environmental protection.

A 1975 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts and Science, Major in Sociology, Minor in Psychology, Mr. Kester chose a career in law enforcement. His assignments have included patrol officer, mountain officer, detective, court officer and corrections officer. In addition, Mr. Kester was part of the countywide committee that created the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Team. Mr. Kester’s qualifications include State Certified Peace Officer, Level II Firefighter, and State Certified Hazardous Materials Technician. Additional training includes fire management and Mountain Search and Rescue. Mr. Kester has also served as a firearms instructor, crime prevention officer and Boy Scout Explorer advisor.

Mr. Kester enlisted in the United States Coast Guard Reserve in October 1987 as a Port Security Specialist under the RX program. While a member of Reserve Unit Denver, he helped with the development and presentation of several two-week LORAN Station Security Team Training schools. This training was presented to various Reserve units whose mobilization sites were overseas LORAN stations. He served at NORAD/ Space Command, in Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO as part of the Drug Interdiction program. He also participated in the stand up of the Joint Aerospace Reserve Program, which was to include the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. He served with a DRU in Illinois for the Mississippi Flood of 1993, and 1994 in Omaha, NB with the Reserve unit assigned to the buoy tender Gasconade doing shore side ATON repairs. Upon closure of Reserve Unit Denver, Mr. Kester transferred to MSD Concord, CA, where he was involved in pollution investigation and explosive handling supervision. Upon closure of MSD Concord, Mr. Kester transferred to MSO San Francisco Bay, where he is currently assigned. Mr. Kester lateraled to Marine Science Technician in 1999. His current assignment is in Facilities and Infrastructure Security. Mobilizations include PSU 303- Replacement, Dahmam, Saudi Arabia, Sea Marshal MSO San Francisco Bay, October 2001-2002 and 2003, and MTSA implementation in 2004. Qualifications include Pollution Investigator, Harbor Safety Officer, Maritime Security Team, Facility Inspector, Maritime Security Inspector: Facility, Law Enforcement – Patrol/Investigator, Boarding Team Member and trained as a Port Physical Security Specialist and Small Boat Crew member.

Prior to enlisting in the Coast Guard Reserve, Mr. Kester joined the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in April 1987. In addition to his current position as Deputy Department Chief – Marine Safety, he has held the position of Flotilla Commander of a newly chartered flotilla and staff positions including Division Public Affairs, Division Member Training, and Division Operations for Division 1 of the 8th Western Rivers District. He has also held the position of Marine Safety and Environmental staff officer at the Flotilla, Division and District level and Branch Assistant, Branch Chief and Division Chief- Marine Safety on National staff. He is qualified as a Coxswain, Air Observer, Instructor, Vessel Examiner, and RBS Program Visitor, as well as completing the requirements for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Marine Safety Device. He has also conducted final interviews for some of the Coast Guard Academy applicants in Colorado.

Reserve awards include the Coast Guard Achievement medal with Operational device, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation with Operational device, CG Unit Commendation with Operational device, CG Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational device, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, CG Meritorious Team Commendation with Operational device and Humanitarian Service Medal, among others.

Auxiliary Awards include the Auxiliary Commendation Award, Auxiliary Achievement Award and multiple Auxiliary Sustained Service Awards.

Greg is married to the former Karel Kratz of Dallas, TX. They have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren.

Denise Castrogiovanni

DEPUTY DEPARTMENT Chief
DC-MD

Ms. Castrogiovanni joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1987 and was appointed Deputy Chief Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Department on November 1, 2006. In this capacity Ms. Castrogiovanni will assist the Chief, Department of Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, in the development of Auxiliary Marine Safety (MS) and Marine Environmental Protection (MEP) programs in support of associated Coast Guard missions and activities. In coordination with the DC-M, she will exercise administrative supervision over the activities and programs of the Department. Maintain appropriate systems to provide program assistance, follow-up and review while keeping the DC-M closely informed of all developments in the Department.

Previously Ms. Castrogiovanni held the position of Division Chief for the Commercial Vessel Examination Division (DVC-MV) from January 1, 2005 to October 31, 2006. In that capacity she was in charge of the MSEP Department’s Commercial Vessel Examination Division for all Districts within the United States. She previously served as Branch Chief Commercial Vessel Examination Division Special Projects 2004, District 1 Southern Region, District Staff Officer – Marine Safety Environmental Protection 2000-2004, and District 1SR CG/AUX awards Coordinator 2000-2004. Branch Assistant- CVE Atlantic Region 2003.

Ms. Castrogiovanni graduated from Adelphi University in New York in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Communications with majors in Political Science and Business. Her strong desire in the area of law made way to additional studies by participating in Adelphi University Lawyers Assistance program from which she graduated in 1997 with a Generalist Degree as a Certified Paralegal in seven areas of law. Her qualified certifications areas include Corporate Law, Matrimonial Law, Bankruptcy Law, Wills Trust and Estate Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, and Litigation.

Ms. Castrogiovanni started working for Chemical Bank in 1974, now known as Chase Manhattan Bank, and is current employee. Her status has changed as she is on a medical disability. Her former duties consisted of Technical Support Specialist (Project Manager) where she and her project team supported the financial applications systems for the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, and Management Reporting Systems.

Since joining the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, she has served as Division Vice Captain 1999, Division Staff Officer to Aids to Navigation 1998, Flotilla Commander two terms, prior to 1998 last term ending in 2001, and Vice Flotilla Commander two terms prior to 2001 last term ending in 2003, Flotilla Finance Officer (4 years), Flotilla Marine Safety-EP Officer (3 years), Flotilla Information System Officer (6 years), Flotilla Mentor Coxswain and Crew program (4 years). She has previously held all other Flotilla Staff Officer positions prior to her elected officer positions. 

Ms. Castrogiovanni has completed training as Elected Officer Candidate, Coxswain, Instructor, Vessel Examiner, Marine Dealer Visitor, Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner, Aids to Navigation verifier, Commercial Fishing Vessel Drill Instructor, and New York State Instructor. She has completed seven (8) AUXOP courses Auxiliary Leadership, Auxiliary Administration, Auxiliary Patrols, Auxiliary Communications, Auxiliary Search and Rescue, Auxiliary Seamanship, Auxiliary Navigation A, and Auxiliary Weather. She has also expanded her educational level within the Marine Safety field by completing Incident Command Structure 100, 200, 700, 800, Good Mate, Introduction Marine Safety Environment Protection, and FEMA IS-5 hazardous materials exam. She has completed two (2) Personal Qualification Standard certifications as Auxiliary Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner, and Auxiliary Marine Safety Administration and Management.

Ms. Castrogiovanni has received many awards and commendations including 1 Meritorious Service award, 2 CG Meritorious Awards, 5 CGA Team Meritorious Awards, 9/11 Transportation Award, District 1SR Group Commanders Award, 2 CG Certificates of Appreciation, 3 National Certificates of Appreciation, National ACLOC, 10 Sustained Service awards, and multiple OPS, MT, CFV, PE and MDV District, and Division recognitions for outstanding performance.    

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