America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 86 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

 Juan Hernandez PhD, Commander           James Sleichert, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

 Fellow members,

First and foremost, I wish you and yours peace, good health and happiness for the New Year. Once again I want to thank you for your support in electing Jim and me for leading the Flotilla this year.  We feel enthusiastic about the caliber of our staff and look forward to a rewarding year for all members. 

We want all members to enjoy participating in Flotilla activities with a sense of joy, self-esteem, and achievement. Consequently, we want you to be engaged in helping us maintain an environment of mutual cooperation, trust, communication, and goodwill when relating and working with each other – this is the hallmark of our Flotilla.

 For my first report I want to share with you the results of a timely Strategic Futures Study Group Scenario Planning Project 2008 - Planning in a declining United States economy for the viability of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2013⁽¹⁾, which I feel provides excellent strategies for discussion and planning for our own Flotilla.  Note that these recommendations are in line with the results of our recent membership survey.

The goal of the exercise was to find viable solutions – core action strategies – to a worst case scenario that threatened the viability of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and its ability to continue to meet its missions and obligations. A total of 60 Auxiliarists – district commodores and vice commodores, department chiefs and deputy department chiefs as well as the area commodores comprised the study’s five groups.

 Following are the results of this study.

 CORE ACTION STRATEGIES

1. 21st century partnerships – Seek out, promote and institutionalize partnerships with other organizations; private, public, and non-profit as an essential means of mission execution.

2. Funding self-sufficiency – Identify and develop dynamic funding sources that support the requirements of a flexible suite of core mission programs.

3. Strategic change management – Manage continuous and accelerating change as a fundamental factor of mission performance; to improve agility and close the gap between strategic intent and execution.

4. The right mission capacity – Focus human, financial and training resources on missions that have the most impact to the member and the customer.

5. The best team – Develop a dynamic recruiting and retention system that anticipates organizational needs; has the agility and flexibility to quickly provide the capacity and competencies required in a constantly changing environment; and that fosters member satisfaction through fellowship and appropriate rewards.

6. The right skills – Provide each member a tailored continuum of training and professional experience that is linked to strategic objectives and desired organizational competencies, and that leverages emerging technologies to facilitate accessible, timely and relevant education.

7. Communications excellence - Expand and professionalize a sophisticated, timely, internal and external communications capability that serves the Auxiliary, the Coast Guard, partners and the public.

8. Regional focus – Develop a dynamic system that anticipates regional needs and recognizes member desires, and that has the flexibility to quickly design the required missions and related competencies.

9. Effective marketing – Expand and focus multi-media marketing to actively promote the Auxiliary image and its capabilities within the Coast Guard family, to partners and to the public.

We will discuss these strategies in light of our own goals for 2009 throughout the year.  I encourage you to share your ideas and experiences about these recommendations with the staff and fellow members by providing information you may have from experience, running instructive sessions about any of these topics to develop the knowledge and skills of our members and, engaging members in carrying out supporting activities.

Your feedback and suggestions are always welcomed – feel free to approach me or Jim at any time.

 Biographical Information:

Juan was born in Havana, Cuba and his wife Gloria is a native of Bogota, Colombia. They both came to the U.S. as teenagers and met in Miami Beach, FL in 1963. They were married in 1966 and raised three sons, John, Michael and Daniel, who now have families of their own. John and Daniel are local residents and Michael lives in New Hampshire.  So far they have a grandson, James, and two granddaughters, Isabela and Angelina.

Juan holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Miami, an M.S. in Systems Management from Florida Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from Clemson University, where he was an NDEA (National Defense Education Act) Fellow.

He retired from AT&T in 2000 as Senior Technical Staff Member, Network and Computing Services. During his tenure at AT&T he received the Bellcore Award of Excellence for performance over and beyond what is expected.  Other previously held positions include Area Manager, Management Systems and Employee Development, Dow Chemical Latin America; Assistant Professor of Management, School of Business and Organizational Sciences, Florida International University; and Systems Engineer for Saturn S-II, Saturn V Vehicle - Apollo Program, North American Rockwell, Kennedy Space Center. While at the Kennedy Space Center, he was awarded the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Apollo Achievement Award for his work in the Apollo Program that culminated in Apollo 11’s successful achievement of man’s first landing on the moon in July 20, 1969.

Juan and Gloria moved to Venice, FL in the summer of 2000.  Shortly thereafter, he became Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Argosy University and Southern New Hampshire University.  He currently teaches in at Master and Doctoral programs at both institutions in the areas of Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Statistics and Organizational Management.

He joined the Auxiliary in November 2000 and is qualified as coxswain, AUXOP, instructor, aid verifier communications watch stander and vessel examiner. He was elected Flotilla Commander for 2009 and is also Division Chief, Instructional Design, for the USCG Auxiliary National Training Department and a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Interpreter Corps. Current projects he is working on for the Auxiliary include the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Tracking and Navigation System and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Tracking System.

His hobbies include Amateur Radio (call sign KA4OWP), flying, boating, radio controlled airplanes, equitation and oil painting.

Juan C. Hernandez,
Flotilla Commander

_____________________

 

⁽¹⁾ United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Scenario Planning Project – MELTDOWN, Planning in a declining United States economy for the viability of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2013.

Analysis of Workshop Results, 2008. URL: http://www
.auxnaco.org/documents/2008.10.17_MeltdownAnalysis_and_report_to_NACO.pdf

 

 

Juan C Hernandez, FC

 

Important Notice Best Viewed With Windows Internet Explorer Flotilla Staff Officers                CM - Juan Hernandez                CS -  Denis Keyes                FN -  Janet Heijens                IS   - Harry Bruno                MA - Richard Markwitz                MS - Roman Gzyl                 MT -  Lou Magyar                OP - Jim Sleichert                PA - Al Bidwick                PB - Judi Bidwick                PE - Judi Bidwick                PS - John Kandes                PV - Jerry Mitchell                SR - Ruthanne Bruno                                       General Meeting:               First Tuesday - 1930                  Training Center               On The Water Training               Every Thursday - 0830                Marine Max, Venice

Vice Commander
James Sleichert

 

Happy New-Year,

Congratulations to all the new and past Flotilla Staff Officers in our flotilla.  I’m hoping for a productive year with all staff officers' positions.  All I ask that you do the best that you can.  Try to get more members involved in what you are doing and try to get your monthly reports and newsletter article in on time.

The newsletter does not have to be a book.  Just write a paragraph on what you have done during the month.  Write another paragraph on what you plan to do next month and maybe request some help from the members. Finally write a paragraph from training materials on your staff officer duties and what the members can expect if they choose to help.  Please do not put down that there is nothing to report.  Think back over the month, there must be something that you did. 

The best way to find members to help is the old fashion way, reach out and touch someone.  Members are more likely to help if you talk to them in addition to sending e-mails. 

I believe that we have filled the staff officer positions with highly-qualified people.  I will always be available to help you when a problem arises.  But, I will not micro-manage your position. You will have to make the decisions on how you will run your office and how to get more members involved. 

All officers need to attend the Division meeting on Saturday, January 3.  Also, try to go to the D7 Conference in Orlando the weekend of January 10, ^Th just go for the Saturday classes and you will learn a lot.  Try to get together with a few officers and drive together.  Copy and paste the link below for the schedule.  There are some very interesting class being offered.     http://www.cgaux7.org/index_member.htm

Biographical Information: 

I was born on a hot summer’s afternoon in Chicago Illinois.  I remember it well. The hospital had no air conditioning and there was hardly any breeze off Lake Michigan.

I spent my early years attending Lutheran grammar school and high school.  Those were the years where getting slapped across your hands or a light hit to the back of your head with a ruler was considered acceptable in the private school system.

There was no problem with order in the classroom.

 I spent 30 years in the Chicago Police Deptment and was stationed throughout the Chicago area.  I had various duties during my career and enjoyed nearly every minute.  No two days were alike and you never knew what the next day would bring.

During the time on the Chicago Police Department I attended and graduated from Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago.

I retired in 1999 and moved to Venice Florida.  I decided to take the boating safety class from the flotilla in January 2000.  That decision lead to joining the Venice flotilla and has kept me busy ever since.  I have been FSO-VE and OP.  I also help maintain the property at the training center.  I have currently been elected FVC and I will see how that goes.  I have no hobbies because I never had time for any and it does not look like I will have any time in the near future.

James P. Sleichert,
Flotilla Vice Commander

 

Aids To Navigation
Joseph Floyd, FSO-AN

Biographical Information:

I spent over thirty-eight years in the computer industry and about ten years purchasing and remodeling houses to rent and sell.

I have been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for over Twenty-six years and held several positions over the years such as Flotilla Commander, Division Captain and four years on District Staff as the Member Resource Officer.  

Most of my boating experience has been on Lake Michigan, where my wife and I patrolled using our twenty-eight foot Carver, KEBA.  I am a Coxswain and I have my AUXOP device. 

My wife, Diana, and I have five children and nine grandchildren and we are now snowbirds sharing our time between South Bend Indiana and Nokomis Florida.  

Joseph G. Floyd,
FSO-AN

 

Communications
Henry Reynolds, FSO-CM

Objectives – 2009:

1. Install the Flotilla radio station at the Training Center with real-time DSC Tracking and Navigation system support.

2. Collaborate with the FSO-MT to certify watchstanders in the use of DSC2GM tracking and navigation  software.

3. Collaborate with FSO-MT and FSO-OP  to devise navigation evolutions that include DSC2GM certified watchstanders.

4. Promote the use of the “Radio Log for USCGAUX Watchstanders” software.

5. Promote the Telecommunications Operator PQS for watchstanders.

6. Provide communications support for Flotilla activities.

Biographical Information:

I have had a FCC Amateur Radio License for 48 years. My first all mode license was in 1960 as a Technician Class Licensee. When the US dropped the morse code requirement for all FCC Amateur Radio Licenses I was automatically upgraded to General Class License. The reason for the automatic upgrade was that I had taken the General Class License written test when I received my Technician Class License.

Most of my experience in the amateur radio arena has been station installation, antenna design and construction and emergency communications.

I am a member of the American Radio Relay League and Auxiliary Communications Service.

Henry Reynolds,
FSO-CM

 

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

As FSO-IS officer my duties are to exercise responsibility and supervision over all matters pertaining to collection, recording and forwarding of Flotilla data, keeping members and flotilla leadership informed of all development in this area.  I initiate and maintain close liaison with the Division Information Systems Staff officer in order to ensure proper credit is received for the members' and Flotilla activities.  The IS officer maintains and monitors the contents of AUXDATA and AUXINFO.  It is my duty to be sure all submission are correct before input and submission to the SO-IS for processing.  Records are kept of all processed data.

Biographical Information:

Harry and Ruth moved to Venice from New Jersey where they had lived all their lives until retirement.  Harry retired from a career in mechanical contracting and also had owned a liquor and delicatessen for many years.  Ruth danced and owned a dance studio for many years but attended college later in life graduating in 1985.  She retired from the Administration Department of a rehab hospital.  After settling in Florida in 1998  the couple decided to give up their hobby of flying small private planes and bought a boat.  They took the BS&S course at Flotilla 86 in 2000 and decided to join the auxiliary.  Both have been active as members and officers since that time at flotilla and division level.

Harry Bruno,
FSO-IS
 

 

Materials
Ron Roth, FSO-MA

I was recently appointed as Materials Officer and Maintenance Coordinator for the flotilla.

I am replacing Ruth Bruno who has done an excellent job for the flotilla membership.  Ruth is completing a final report to close out her six years as Materials Officer.  Since she has graciously offered to review this report with me once is it completed, I will formulate my plans and goals later in January.

As far as maintenance goes, I intend to survey all flotilla members to see who is willing to help with maintenance and repairs, what skills and interests they possess and when they are available.  Of course, if anyone wants to help right now please contact me at rothpdm@yahoo.com or 493-2045.

Biographical Information:

I was born and raised in upstate New York and am 62 years old.  I am married to Jane and we have two children and two grandchildren.

I reside in South Venice near the South Venice Beach Ferry from October to May and on Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State from May to October. 

I received a Bachelor’s degree and Masters degree in Planning from the University at Albany and spent my working years as a City Planner who practiced primarily in suburban and rural communities.  I retired as Greene County Planning Director in 2001.  Greene County, NY borders Albany County to the North and the Hudson River on the East--the southwestern third of Greene County is in the Catskill Mountains.

 I was a member of many public, private and professional boards, councils and committees and served in a variety of offices.

 I have restored two nineteenth century homes and I completed our first house on Schroon Lake that my wife and I purchased as a shell.

I ski, snowboard, sail and have two 18-foot powerboats (one in Venice and one in Schroon Lake).  For many years I participated in whitewater canoe and kayak races and  thereby learned the hard way about the value of PFD’s and protective gear. 

Ron Roth
FSO-MA, Maintenance

 

 

Marine Safety
John D Harrison Jr, FSO-MS

 

I am the new Marine Safety Officer for the flotilla and will work to build a clean water program in our area.

Biographical Information:

I was in the US Naval Reserve from October 1966 to August 1977 with two years of active duty.  From 1977 to 1986 I spent time in the Delaware Air National Guard--and I hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

From 1967 to 2003 I worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail, and Amtrak, as a locomotive Engineer operating various types of trains.  I also worked as an Amtrak Safety Instructor as well as Instructor Engineer.

I joined the Auxiliary in 2003 an am coxswain and crew qualified in addition to instructor, radio watchstander, and AUXOP.

John D Harrison Jr,.
FSO-MS

 

Member Training
Lou Magyar, FSO-MT

As the Member Training Staff Officer for 2009 my theme in training this year is Back to Basics.  I will be changing the OWT (On The Water training) to OT (Operational Training).  This will be training every Thursday at Marine Max conference room from 0830 to 1200.  The training will cover Boat crew tasks, boat handling for all, fire fighting, Telecommunications (TCO), medical response, AUXOP courses (on different days) and other general training.  I want to make the training each week not only for boat crews but for everyone. 

The first OT will be on 8 January 2009 at 0830 at the Marine Max conference room.  I plan on covering an overview of the next 3 months of training and my goals.  See you there.

Biographical Information:

I retired from the Coast Guard after 28 years active duty with my last position being the Director of Auxiliary and OTO (Operations Training Officer) of District 14 (Hawaii.  I joined Flotilla 86 in 2001 and was the Flotilla Commander in 2003 and 2004 and Operations Staff Officer in 2005.
 

Lou Magyar,
FSO-MT

 

Operations
Judi Bidwick, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

Maintenance Goals:

1. Publicize the aims, purposes, and activities of the Auxiliary in order to develop public understanding and appreciation of its role.

2. Assist the Coast Guard in carrying out its public information program.

3. Maintain a liaison with local news media for the publicity of Auxiliary Activities.

4. Coordinate the development of articles for local and national Auxiliary publications.

5. Encourage active participation of unit members in events promoting safe boating.

6. Urge unit members to inform the Public Affairs Officer of newsworthy events, past or future, so that suitable publicity can be provided.

7. Enlist the assistance of unit members in the accumulation of photographs of Auxiliary activities appropriate for use in flotilla, division, and district publications, as well as for general public release.

8. Submit reports in a timely manner.

Developmental Goals:

1. Develop a collegial, cooperative relationship with PA Officers in other flotillas to develop performance improvement strategies.

2. Compile a list of Civic Organizations which might be interested in learning more about the Auxiliary and offer to speak at their meetings.

Cross-functional Goals:

1. Assist in the publicity of Public Education and Vessel Examination activities.

2. Assist in the planning and conducting of activities such as seminars, forums and boating safety lectures for the public or public service organizations.

Biographical Information:

Al Bidwick was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  After attending King’s College, he left for a teaching job in Maryland.  Following the first year, he was drafted by the Army.  Instead, Al chose the Navy, since he was already a petty officer in the reserves.  After two years of active duty, Al resumed his teaching career in Maryland.  He took advantage of the GI Bill and returned to school, attending evening classes.  Within three years, he earned a Masters Degree in Counseling from George Washington University and moved into a position as Guidance Counselor, a job he held for six years.  Al continued his education at GW and earned a doctor’s degree.  He went on to work as an assistant principal and later a principal, a position he held for twenty-five years, until he retired in 1993.

While wintering in Venice eleven years ago, Al and his wife Judi decided to take a boating class.  They were introduced to the Auxiliary, and the rest is history. 

The Bidwicks live in Park Estates Square.  They have seven children between them and fifteen grandchildren.

Al works as the SO-PA for the Division and FSO-PA for the flotilla.

Al Bidwick,
FSO-PA

 

 

Public Educationon
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

Ruth will continue as PE officer assisting in running the safe boating and other public education courses.

Biographical Information:

Harry and Ruth moved to Venice from New Jersey where they had lived all their lives until retirement.  Harry retired from a career in mechanical contracting and also had owned a liquor and delicatessen for many years.  Ruth danced and owned a dance studio for many years but attended college later in life graduating in 1985.  She retired from the Administration Department of a rehab hospital.  After settling in Florida in 1998  the couple decided to give up their hobby of flying small private planes and bought a boat.  They took the BS&S course at Flotilla 86 in 2000 and decided to join the auxiliary.  Both have been active as members and officers since that time at flotilla and division level.

Ruth Bruno,
FSO-PE

 

 

Personnel Services
Paul F. Corcoran, FSO-PS

 

The duties of a FSO /PS do not relate well  to seminars or workshops . The one thing members can do is to refer the prospective member to me so that I can interview them to see if they have something to offer that would be of value to the Auuxiliary. If they do I can try to persuade them to join.

Mike Marmion will be assisting me this year as the AFSO-PS.

I have just completed the new member course for Sidney Motchan.

Biographical Information:

I was a public servant for the state of New Jersey for thirty five years.

Paul Corcoran
FSO-PS

Recreation Boating Safety
Janet Heijens, FSO-RBS

Biographical Information:

I have been a member of Venice Flotilla 86 for three years and I am boat crew qualified.

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Business Management/Finance.

I worked in public accounting for three years, and worked in the industrial sector for twenty-five years in finance. marketing and general management.  I managed company operations in Mexico City, Cambridge England, Chicago Illinois, and St. Louis Missouri.  I retired in 2004.

I am married with one son and two step-children and three grandchildren.

I intend to achieve qualification for the Recreational Boating Safety Visitor Program and hope to encourage other members with an interest in extending boater safety awareness through the community to become qualified and to assist in distributing information.

I will assist the Flotilla Commander and Staff Officers in budget management and will research and pursue all avenues of potential grant funds.

Janet Heijens,
FSO-FN, RBS

 

Vessel Examiner
Richard Odato, FSO-VE

Biographical Information: 

I joined the Auxiliary in 1994 while living in Annapolis.  I quickly became crew qualified, then coxswain, AV, VE, & MDV quals were added to my resume'.  I was certainly on the fast track and loved every minute of it.  My first staff officer job was FSO-PA then SO-PA for Division 15.  At that time, my schedule at work was quite flexible and I was able to put in a lot of time and effort, and I typically spent over 30 hours per week performing various tasks for my flotilla and division.  Being close to DC, I had the honor of arranging the Auxiliary presence at the annual Andrews Air Force Base "Joint Services Open House" a.k.a. airshow.  Fredda was SO-MA at that time, and together, we put in many hours preparing for that four day event every year.  It was a lot of fun working right alongside our active duty and reserve colleagues.   I got the opportunity to meet the Commandant and many other top ranking officers of the Coast Guard.  The public affairs job was a lot of fun for me.  I'm an avid photographer and Photoshop nerd, and my son owns an ad agency.  It was quite a twist to send him my "homework" for proof reading.  Sometimes, I even got an "A"!

On my "day job", I am an airline pilot-- Boeing 737 captain specifically.  I've been flying for over forty years, and in that time I've been with five airlines.  I have 24 years of service with my present airline.  After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, virtually everything has changed in the airline industry, and not for the better.  Not to belabor the point, but let's just say that the crew base in Baltimore closed, and the demands on our time increased exponentially.  I'm working a lot more for a lot less.  Sadly, among the casualties listed was a long list of qualifications that I had worked hard to earn in the USCG Aux.  I found myself traveling constantly and very frequently unable to participate.  That was particularly troubling in light of the fact that I felt that in the post 9/11 world, my country needed me more than ever, and I couldn't get the time off to help.

Fredda and I eventually moved to Sarasota and we love it here.  We made many inquiries and went to quite a few flotilla meetings before deciding to transfer our membership.  Needless to say, we are both very thankful to have found Flotilla 86.  We have met so many wonderful people in this flotilla it really makes us feel right at home.  Now the work begins to try to earn back qualifications and get back into the swing of things. 

I accepted the FSO-VE position with enthusiasm and will try my very best to provide professional service.  My time is still quite limited so I will need to do a lot of the work while out of town.  

Looking ahead, I'm hoping to work closely with the PA department to enhance public acceptance of the program.  I have quite a few ad ideas in mind.   I'm hoping to have some "VE days" at some of the local marinas and public affairs events. 

Thank you for giving me this opportunity and for being such great new best friends.

Rick Odato,
FSO-VE