ALCOAST 163/21 - APR 2021 SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2020 JOHN J. JASKOT GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 281317Z APR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 163/21
SSIC 1738
SUBJ:  SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2020 JOHN J. JASKOT
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. The Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs (CG-0921)
is seeking nominations for the 2020 “John J. Jaskot Governmental
Affairs Officer of the Year Award.” Field GAOs are critical
to advancing the Commandant's Strategic Intent by executing
Congressional engagements and building professional relationships.
This award recognizes and rewards those who have excelled in
executing GAO responsibilities during calendar year 2020, and
is named in honor of CDR John J. (J.J.) Jaskot (1954-2020).
CDR Jaskot graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1976 and
proudly served on active duty for 20 years with service afloat,
as a maritime attorney, two tours in Congressional Affairs, as
well as a deployment to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf
War, earning the Combat Action Ribbon. CDR Jaskot’s final tour
was as the Coast Guard’s Liaison to the U.S. Senate, where he
set the standard for representing the Coast Guard to the U.S.
Congress. After his retirement in 1996, he remained active in
the Congressional Affairs Alumni network serving as a good
friend and mentor to countless personnel assigned to Coast Guard
Congressional Affairs.
2. Background: The Coast Guard employs full-time and collateral
duty GAOs at the Area, District, Force Readiness Command and unit
level. In some cases, the GAO may also be the Public Affairs Officer
(PAO), or the External Affairs Officer (EAO). GAOs are responsible
for assisting the Commander with overseeing and coordinating
outreach within their area of responsibility (AOR). GAOs are
responsible for educating and informing stakeholders regarding
local operations, planning /coordinating outreach efforts with
federal, state, local, tribal, community and industry leaders,
overseeing external and internal relationship building, managing
engagement preparation and follow-up documentation, ensuring
consistent and unified CG messaging, and guiding, as needed,
units within their AOR with outreach. A key GAO function is
to develop professional relationships and build trust with
the state / district staff of Members of Congress in their AOR.
These relationships are vital to keeping Members informed of
the Coast Guard’s activities, and providing an established link
if they have questions or concerns. 
3. Award Eligibility Requirements. Only active duty, civilian,
reserve, and auxiliary members assigned GAO responsibilities
full-time or as a collateral duty are eligible.
4. Procedures. Nominations must be limited to one page and be
emailed to Commandant (CG-0921), POC Michele Zauche at
michele.r.zauche@uscg.mil by COB 14 May. If the submission is
NOT coming from the Chief of Staff or equivalent, please ensure
the Chief of Staff is copied. A panel of CG-0921 personnel will
evaluate all submissions the week of 17 May to select the GAO
of the Year.
5. Direct additional questions to Michele Zauche at COMDT (CG-0921),
email: Michele.R.Zauche@uscg.mil.
6. RDML J.P. Hickey, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs
(CG-092), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.