PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg welcomes new commander 

Photo Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-965-4672 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg welcomes new commander 

    

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TAMPA, Fla. — The crew of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg held a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the Port of Tampa.

Capt. Matthew Thompson relieved Capt. Holly Najarian as commander, Sector St. Petersburg. 

Thompson was most recently assigned to the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center, Officer Personnel Management Division (OPM-1) as Chief of Boards, Panels, Promotions, and Separations Branch. There he directed and oversaw all active duty officer promotion boards and advanced education panels, and affected all officer promotions, retirements, and separations for the nearly 8,500 members commissioned and warrant officer corps. 

Najarian has served as the sector commander since 2016. She officially retired after 26 years of service.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition. It represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. 

The event ensures the continuity of leadership and operations within the sector's area of responsibility. 

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