Mr. WELCH is cited for outstanding and meritorious service and performance of duty while serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief Director of the Auxiliary, from May 2002 to September 2003. He exhibited exceptional foresight, exemplary leadership and superb management skills in overseeing numerous significant and lasting projects within the Office of Auxiliary. In May 2002, recognizing a profound period of transition in the history of the Auxiliary, he volunteered to bring his wealth of marketing experience and public relations skills to bear on various organizational program initiatives to update and project the Auxiliary’s image. During this remarkable period of new Auxiliary mission support and membership expansion, as a member of the Strategic Marketing Committee, he led the development of a new strategic marketing plan which focuses both internally and externally on new and traditional operational roles and missions. Additionally, he expertly crafted a long overdue and much needed Auxiliary strategic training plan which provides management of the front end analysis process, produces effective training and course design strategies, enables use of expert developers through the National Auxiliary Testing Center, highlights the need for fast path high tech products and delivery systems, introduces E-learning/CD-based products, defines roles and ownership through a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Auxiliary Testing Center, provides for consensus stakeholder decisions, and introduces smart funding models.

Mr. WELCH displayed superior organizational skills in the development of a new series of high quality awards and specialty designators including the Auxiliary Personal Water Craft Operator Insignia, the Auxiliary Marine Safety Trident Insignia, and new Auxiliary Pilot and Aircrew Insignias, all of which raise the Auxiliary’s visibility in both the range of qualifications and growth of on-the-water and in-the-air support to Coast Guard operational missions. Using his outstanding ability to work with others, he superbly coordinated a highly successful National Change of Watch ceremony as well as the Auxiliary’s role in supporting the Commandant’s Change of Command ceremony.

Mr. WELCH was also a major participant in the redesigning of the Chief Director’s website, resulting in an improved conduit for communications from the Chief Director to the entire Auxiliary membership. His overall efforts and accomplishments have greatly contributed to the success of the Auxiliary as the volunteer arm of Coast Guard Forces and leading volunteer organization in the Department of Homeland Security. His selfless dedication of an astonishing 7600 volunteer hours since September 2001 is a credit to his patriotism and evidence of his passion with which he serves the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Coast Guard, and the Nation. Mr. WELCH’s leadership, dedication and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.