Boston C4IT officer awarded for leadership

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Boston C4IT officer awarded for leadership

Members of Coast Guard Base Boston's C4IT staff gather for a group photo Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Base Boston C4IT supports 82 shore units, 36 cutters, 236 boats, and 70 remote communication sites. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) Lt. Edward Costa, field operations officer for Base Boston C4IT department, goes through a server with Samuel Kornreich Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Costa won the 2017 Cmdr. John P. Dailey award for outstanding leadership and mentorship within the C4IT community. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) Lt. Edward Costa and Michael Galicki discuss the challenges of the Windows 10 upgrade Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Costa won the 2017 Cmdr. John P. Dailey award for outstanding leadership and mentorship within the C4IT community. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

By Petty Officer Nicole J. Groll

On Feb. 16, 2018, Lt. Edward Costa, field operations officer for Base Boston C4IT department, was shocked and humbled when he won the Cmdr. John P. Dailey award.

Created in 2011 in honor of Cmdr. John P. Dailey, the award is given for outstanding leadership and mentorship within the C4IT Community.

“When the ALCOAST came out soliciting for the award, I read the requirements, and there wasn’t even a question in my mind Ed was the right man for this,” said Cmdr. Stephen Bird, Base Boston C4IT department head and Costa’s supervisor.

Bird said Costa does not think about himself, and has a natural charisma and humility that makes one want to follow him.

“I never expected the award or even thought about winning it,” said Costa. “It was humbling to be nominated by my command, but my success wouldn’t be possible without the success of everyone in this office.”

Costa tributes his success to his shipmates over the years. Before going to Officer Candidate School in 2016, Costa was an enlisted electronics technician.

“I worked for a lot of great officers,” said Costa. “Now, I can return the favor.”

He said his people know they can contact him at any time to ask questions, and they do.

Costa said he leads with a dynamic leadership style tailored to each member of his team. Those members consist of individuals with all different personalities. Costa engages with them on a regular basis to understand those different personalities and how to best to use their skill sets to streamline the ET and IT workforce.

According to his nomination citation, Costa personally guided over 150 technical experts across nine detachments and seven states, and skillfully balanced intrusive and hands-off leadership to lead his detachments to unprecedented success. His leadership supports 82 shore units, 36 cutters, 236 boats, and 70 remote communication sites. By empowering and trusting his people, Costa and his team resolved over 10,000 trouble tickets and thousands of electrical maintenance actions including 21 dry dock technical assessments. Costa’s inspirational strategies in leadership resulted in 14 advancements, 31 personal awards, two assignments as ESD supervisors and various other special assignments.

In addition to winning the award, Costa recently earned the opportunity to attend graduate school for the next two years.  

“Leaving will be bittersweet,” said Costa, “But I’m going to school for information technology management and to see what else I can learn.”

Bird said members of Costa’s team will be sad to see him go.

“But they are excited for him to continue his education and bring that knowledge back into the C4IT field,” he said.

 

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