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Former CG Commandant to Present at NWDC Speaker Series
Story Number: NNS130403-08
4/3/2013

By Navy Warfare Development Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard will present at the Navy Warfare Development Command's (NWDC) Speaker Series April 16, 2013, from 10 to 11 a.m. at NWDC's headquarters on Naval Station Norfolk and over Defense Connect Online (DCO).

Adm. Thad Allen, USCG (Ret), will present "Innovation in Homeland Defense."

NWDC's Speaker Series is designed to stimulate provocative discussion and action to drive a culture of innovation in the Navy.

Previously, Allen served as Coast Guard Chief of Staff. In that position he was designated Principal Federal Official for the U.S. government's response and recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita throughout the Gulf Coast region.

In 2010, President Barack Obama selected Allen to serve as the National Incident Commander for the unified response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, the Departments of Defense, Interior, Commerce, and Health and Human Services, state and local entities, and British Petroleum, he sought to bring a unity of effort to response operations.

Allen was Commander, Atlantic Area in 2001 and led the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area forces following the September 11 attacks. He is currently a Senior Vice President at Booz Allen supporting the firm's work with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. He is also a Fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration and a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

"Adm. Allen was at the tip of the spear during the most devastating terrorist attack in this country's history and for virtually every national disaster relief effort in the past ten years," said Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, commander, NWDC. "These experiences as well as his post-retirement civilian work will provide unique insight in innovation in the maritime services core missions of national defense and humanitarian and disaster relief efforts."

Participants in the Hampton Roads area are invited to attend the presentation in-person at NWDC's headquarters at 1528 Piersey Street, Building O-27, on Naval Station Norfolk.

Registration, DCO and other information can be found on NWDC's website at https://www.nwdc.navy.mil/ncoi/speaker/default.aspx. A video of the presentation will be posted on NWDC's YouTube channel following the event.