ALCOAST 111/18 - MAR 2018 SELECTION OF COAST GUARD NOMINEES TO THE 2018 JOINT CIVILIAN ORIENTATION CONFERENCE

united states coast guard

R 280830 MAR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092D//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05700//
ALCOAST 111/18
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  SELECTION OF COAST GUARD NOMINEES TO THE 2018 JOINT CIVILIAN ORIENTATION CONFERENCE
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 290906 SEP 17/ALCOAST 288/17
1. As solicited in REF (A) we are pleased to announce the selection of the two U.S. Coast
Guard nominated participants who will attend the 2018 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference
(JCOC 88). JCOC is the Secretary of Defense’s flagship civilian outreach program, which began
in 1948 as a way to educate and inform senior executive leaders from the private sector about
the United States Armed Forces. This year’s JCOC will be held from June 10 through June 16 in
the South East.
2. The objective of JCOC is to increase public understanding of national defense by enabling
American business and community leaders to observe and engage directly with the U.S. military
in areas such as global security threats, budget implications, social issues facing troops,
and the needs of transitioning service members. The goal of the program is to educate and
inform private sector leaders and enhance their understanding of the military and its
personnel. It also provides the American public opportunities to obtain a better understanding
of national defense policies and programs through the eyes of opinion leaders who share their
firsthand observations and knowledge they gain during the program. JCOC has provided thousands
of outstanding civilian leaders with an unparalleled, hands-on experience of how the U.S.
military operates. The JCOC experience has given participants strong and positive insights
about the capabilities of our forces, which they continue to share with their fellow citizens
over many years through speeches, articles, and communication with community leaders.
3. Each year, Department of Defense selects about 40 civilian leaders to attend this week-long
immersion program. This year, Department of Defense received more than 230 nominations.
The U.S. Coast Guard received 11 compelling nominations in response to REF (A). Our two
selected nominees are:
   A. Ms. Deborah DeLuca from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, nominated by the Ninth Coast
Guard District.
   B. Ms. Martha Spanninger from the History Channel, nominated by the Eleventh Coast Guard
District.
4. We also offer our sincere appreciation to all nominees and their nominators:
   A. Mr. Brandis Friedman from WTTW PBS Chicago, nominated by the Ninth Coast Guard District.
   B. Dr. David Ibrahim from the University of Illinois at Chicago, nominated by the Ninth
Coast Guard District.
   C. Mr. Michael Isham from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, nominated by
the Ninth Coast Guard District.
   D. Mr. Robert Maxhimer from the Walt Disney Company’s Archives, nominated by the Eleventh
Coast Guard District.
   E. Ms. Kate Mickelson from the Columbia River Steamship Operators' Association, nominated
by the Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
   F. Ms. Kay Olive from the Washington Homeland Security Roundtable, nominated by
COMDT (CG-0923).
   G. Mr. Marc Otte from G.P. Putnam & Sons (Penguin Random House Publishing), nominated by
the Eleventh Coast Guard District.
   H. Mr. Gordon Putzke from Carlisle & Bray, nominated by the Ninth Coast Guard District.
   I. Dr. Kendall Roth from the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina,
nominated by COMDT (CG-0923).
6. Questions should be directed to Mr. Joshua Buck, COMDT (CG-0923), at 202-372-4609 or
Joshua.M.Buck@uscg.mil.
7. Ellen Engleman Conners, Deputy Director, Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.