NACON 2008 Coast Guard Awards

Awards

Commodore GATES is cited for meritorious service in the performance of duty as National Directorate Commodore for Member Services from November 2006 to August 2008. Applying exceptional organizational vision and insight, Commodore GATES authored an expansive study of changing generational attitudes among Auxiliarists and the boating public entitled, “Can the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Survive in the 21st Century?” This extraordinary work established a firm foundation upon which the Auxiliary based substantial changes to most of its recruiting materials including its, “Join the Auxiliary,” website and keystone recruiting brochure. His deep personal involvement, counsel, and understanding of the Auxiliary’s online testing services were vital to seamless relocation of the Auxiliary National Testing Center without any disruption in service to the thousands of Auxiliarists who rely on such services each year. Commodore GATES’ conscientious and thorough oversight of this complex evolution resulted in the overall expansion of Auxiliary online testing capabilities at considerably modest cost. Demonstrating remarkable administrative and supervisory skills, he coordinated detailed self-assessments by every element of the Member Services Directorate that resulted in appropriate staff re-balancing and more efficient handling of directorate business practices. Combining a profound penchant for customer service with an abiding sense of team spirit, Commodore GATES directed a comprehensive effort to automate production of the Auxiliary’s National Program telephone contact directory which yielded the innovative online program, “AuxPlus Officer,” to replace its cumbersome and frequently out-of-date paper predecessor. Commodore GATES’ 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 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.