BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TERRY O'CONNELL, LM, PNP

Chairman

I started my military career by enlisting in the USNR in 1959 and attended recruit training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. In 1960, I transferred to the USCG as a Seaman Apprentice. I went to boot camp again, in Company B-44.

My first assignment was to the CGC McCulloch (WAVP-386) where I served nearly 5 years as a Quartermaster before transfer to the CGC Blackhaw (WAGL 390) in Hawaii. My next tour was on the CGC Basswood (WLB 388), also in Hawaii. I left the Basswood as a QM1 in 1967 for OCS and then, as a freshly minted Ensign, I was sent to the CGC Hornbeam (WLB 394) at Woods Hole, MA.

My next assignment was to Vietnam after completing COIN-SERE training at Alameda, CA. Upon arrival in DaNang, Republic of Vietnam, I was assigned to the XO position on CGC Pt. Orient (WPB 82319) followed by a transfer to Commanding Officer, CGC Point Arden (WPB 82309).

My remaining career consisted of roles at CGC9 (oan); XO CGC Sweetgum (WLB 309); Commander, CG Group Santa Barbara and O in C PSD Santa Barbara; CO CGC Citrus (WLB 300), Administrative Division Officer, Support Center Kodiak; CGHQ (NP), CGHQ Chief (GNSR-2) and finally, retirement from CGD2, Chief, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch. My combat related awards include a Bronze Star Medal with V device, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

As a Life Member of the CGCVA, I served two terms as a National Trustee, two terms as National Vice President, under the leadership of National President Paul Scott LM and a term as National Vice President with NationalPresident Steve Petersen, LM, and then as National President.

Michael A. Johnson, LM, Squadron Three, Vietnam:

Michael A. Johnson joined the U S. Coast Guard in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War. He was 3rd Class Radioman, serving at Coast Guard Radio Station, Miami, FL and Coast Guard District 7, Miami and was honorably discharged in 1972. Mike served as Division Chief/Paramedic for the Fulton County Fire Department in Atlanta, Georgia for 25 years and resides in Newnan, GA.

Mike with deployed with U. S. Coast Guard Squadron Three, to the Republic of Vietnam on the CGC Bibb to participate in Operation Market Time.

Larry Jones, LM:

Larry has served an a CGCVA Service Officer since he joined the Association and is a Veterans Administration certified representative.

Timothy Mowbray, LM:

Tim started his Coast Guard service in June of 1968 at Cape May, New Jersey, Delta Company. After boot camp he was transferred to Coast Guard Group Southwest Harbor Maine. He served as a boat coxswain for routine and search and rescue missions. He also served as lightkeeper on Whitehead Island and the remote light of Petit Manan off the coast of Maine.

After his duty on the remote lighthouse, he requested a transfer to Coast Guard Group Duluth Minnesota, but was instead sent to the USCGC Castle Rock (WHEC 383) in Portland, Main in September, 1970. He served as a Boatswain's Mate Second Class (BM2) and was deployed to Squadron Three, Vietnam, in 1971. After his Coast Guard service, he used his full GI Bill education benefit to complete a BA, MS and a Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree.

Tim spent thirty years as an administrator in mainline healthcare, hospitals, outpatient and specialty care organizations in Minnesota and Texas. He completed his last 15 years of work as CEO of a medical research and training organization specializing in Orthopedics and Spine care. He also founded a specialized management consulting group that worked to assist employers to hire the best candidates for high level positions.

He has retired, sold his business and lives quietly in the woods of NW Wisconsin with his wife Sue and Golden Retriever named for his good friend Murphy.

Mark A. Pearson, LM:

Mark A. Pearson joined the U. S. Coast Guard in 1990 after spending six years in the US Army (1984-1990), retiring as Command Master Chief at his final duty station. Mark was initially a Quartermaster, serving onboard Cutters IRIS, MUSTANG, BASSWOOD and SASSAFRAS. In 2003 he became an Operations Specialist and in 2007 was selected to be one of the first three Master Chief Intelligence Specialists in the U. S. Coast Guard

Mark served with PATFORSWA in Operation Enduring Freedom, in Bahrain and received the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal. He retired in 2018 and became a Coast Guard civilian, working for Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM).