Events Calendar

SHED Talk: The Future Role of the Coast Guard in the Great Lakes

Thursday, December 14

6:30 pm

Location: Shorewood Village Center

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The Coast Guard, one of the seven uniformed Armed Services, is unique in it's role for enforcing maritime law, but they also play a critical role in monitoring day-to-day activities.  USCG Commander Somma will discuss the U.S. Coast Guard's role in the Great Lakes including monitoring lake water levels, climate change, using unmanned aircraft, search and rescue transponder technologies, the rising popularity of personal watercraft, cyber threats, invasive species, the return of cross-lake cargo shipping on Lake Michigan, and wind energy.

ABOUT COMMANDER DAN T. SOMMA, USCG:

Commander Dan Somma graduated cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in environmental conservation. He earned a commission in the Coast Guard in 1998 after working with Marine Safety Office (MSO) Boston as a contractor tasked with developing an oil spill remediation strategy for Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. He completed Direct Commission Officer School in Yorktown, VA and was assigned to MSO Puget Sound in Seattle, WA. He served as Assistant Chief, Marine Environmental Response and oversaw the clean-up of 350 oil spills and hazardous materials releases. He later served as Chief Container and Facilities where he coordinated cargo and facility inspection efforts jointly with US Customs after the 9/11 attacks.

In 2006, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and selected for a post graduate fellowship at George Washington University in Washington, DC where he completed an MS degree in engineering management. In 2008, he was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Port and Facility Activities where he ran the cargo and facilities program office responsible for the oversight of 3,200 commercial waterfront facilities. He traveled nationally and internationally promoting the Maritime Transportation Security Act regulations.

In 2012, Commander Somma transferred to the Washington Navy Yard and served as the liaison to Military Sealift Command (MSC) where he oversaw regulatory compliance of 150 US Naval Ships (USNS) operating in 24 time zones. MSC was tasked with activating a ship for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria and Commander Somma served as a safety advisor and key briefer to the Commanding Officer, US Transportation Command.

In 2014, Commander Somma transferred to Milwaukee, WI to serve as Chief, Prevention Department of Sector Lake Michigan and was promoted to Deputy Sector Commander in 2016. Currently he oversees all Coast Guard operations in a four state area on and around Lake Michigan. This includes oversight of 545 active duty personnel and 21 stations and sub-units.

Commander Somma is married with three children. His personal awards include the Department of Homeland Security Exceptional Service Medal, the US Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the US Customs Best Practices Recognition Award for Joint Targeting Operations, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

With great honor the Shorewood Public Library and the Friends of the Shorewood Public Library welcome Commander Dan T. Somma to our first SHED Talk series.

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