Making the Big Time
Editor’s note: It is a distinct honor and pleasure to publish this article about Bill “Griz” Griswold. Rarely does an editor get an opportunity to publish an article about a friend and fellow member of my home flotilla. The following article heaps well deserved praise on the Bill’s service to our organization and country. It mentions that “Griz” served as an active duty Captain and pilot in the Coast Guard, and prior to his retirement he served as Chief Director of the Auxiliary. The article does not mention that “Griz” is very much a grass roots fellow, serving our flotilla (Flotilla 43, D7) as Vice Commander, Information Services Officer and active Public Education Instructor. It is rare for Flotilla 43 to staff a Public Affairs booth without the presence of “Griz.” Speaking for the rest of the members of Flotilla 43, I offer a hearty “Well done!.”
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Making the Big Time |
Auxiliarist William “Griz” Griswold, Captain, USCG (Ret.), who currently holds the positions of Branch Chief – Liaison and Branch Chief – Grants, was inducted in the prestigious National Safe Boating Council Hall of Fame, at the International Boating and Water safety Summit, this past spring.
Griswold’s career spans 35 years, and includes time spent on active duty with the Coast Guard (where he served a Chief Director) and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, as well as other volunteer positions. “This is a fantastic achievement, and well deserved,” said Commodore Ed Sweeney, National Directorate Commodore-Recreational Boating Safety. “Mr. Griswold – aka ‘Griz’ (as he is affectionately known) has made countless contributions to boating safety, and is a well-known leader in the recreational boating safety community. He attends many
local and regional meetings and events, and keeps us well informed of what took place at these conferences. We are very fortunate to have him on our team!”
Another Auxiliarist, Commodore Carolyn V. Belmore, will also be inducted in the National Safe Boating Council’s Hall of Fame this year. Her ceremony will take place at NACON 2008 in Orlando FL.
CITATION – Read by Ruth Wood, Chair, NSBC
On behalf of the Boating Safety Community, it is my honor to induct William “Griz” Griswold into the National Safe Boating Council Boating Hall of Fame in recognition of over 35 years of significant and ground-breaking work in boating safety.
A former Captain and pilot in the United State Coast Guard, his last tour of duty was Chief overseeing the Office of Boating Safety. He continued his involvement after military retirement as a very active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United Safe Boating Council, and several other committees and organizations.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary presented high honors to him for his work as Auxiliary Liaison to the NSBC. His commitment to boating safety and enthusiasm for his work has made him an essential contributor to both organizations,
including service as Chair of the National Safe Boating Council from 2003-2004.
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CITATION – Read by Ruth Wood, Chair, NSBC |
Mr. Griswold’s service to the NSBC began in 1993 and includes leadership positions on the Board of Directors as well as being involved with the NSBC Recreational Boating Safety Grant program, the Outboard Motor Corporation Foundation “Take ‘em Boating” program, the International Boating and Water Safety Summit, and the North American Safe Boating Campaign. In addition, he helped to cultivate and expand upon many partnerships with other boating and water safety organizations including our partners and friends to the north – the Canadian Safe Boating Council – and across the ocean with Italian boating and water safety representatives lending his knowledge and expertise for the betterment of boating safety.
In 2007, William Griswold received the USPS Eagle Award. The award, given annually by the USPS and the U.S. Coast Guard, recognizes people, organizations, and companies that make significant contributions to boating safety.
William Griswold, who was Chief Director of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, is serving as President of the United Safe Boating Institute, works with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and is a member of the Florida Boating Advisory Council.
Griz, as he is commonly referred, is a tireless volunteer who really knows the value of communication. Numerous organizations rely on his notes and communication skills. His sense of humor and kind but focused manner have endeared him to many and has led him to create wide partnerships and alliances.
The service Captain Griswold has provided to the greater boating safety mission is remarkable. He is a good friend of the boating safety community. His outstanding contributions and dedicated service are greatly appreciated. It is an honor to have him listed among the champions of boating safety in the Boating Safety Hall of Fame.
~HRW