Army War College News

HII announced that Peter Courtney has been promoted to corporate vice president of legislative affairs and Betsy Bina Benedict will join HII to serve as the director of legislative affairs. Courtney succeeds Carolyn Apostolou who retired in December after 10 years with the company.Courtney will be located in HII’s Arlington office and report directly to Stewart Holmes, HII’s executive vice president of government and customer relations (GCR). Benedict will report to Courtney.In Courtney’s new role…

Michael J. Dumont started his tenure as interim president of California State University (CSU) Maritime Academy.Aside from service as a reserve military officer, Dumont was a senior executive in several agencies of the Federal government. Earlier in his career he was a litigation attorney with a private law firm representing aviation and maritime businesses, municipal governments, and institutions of higher education. He later served with the U.S. Department of Justice where he handled aviation and admiralty litigation before leading major white-collar criminal investigations.

Inland waterways, sometimes called ‘nature’s superhighways’ provide a strategic advantage related to security, economics, and trade for any nation whose geography, topography, and climate enable this natural infrastructure. Economic benefits are realized in small rural areas through large urban communities that utilize the system for efficient transportation and improved markets. However, deliberate operational, resource, and policy efforts, along with broad stakeholder integration, are required to maintain and operate such a system.

Brian Salerno was sworn in as the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on August 26, 2013. He is responsible for promoting safety, protecting the environment and conserving resources through the vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement of offshore operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Prior to his appointment as Bureau Director, Salerno served as the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deputy Commandant for Operations where he was responsible for establishing and providing operational strategy…

Secretary Jewell Names Former USCG Vice Admiral Brian Salerno  Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today named former Vice Admiral Brian Salerno as the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), which provides federal oversight for oil and gas operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. Salerno, who retired from the U.S. Coast Guard last year as its Deputy Commandant for Operations, will assume his new position on August 26.

John Demers will be joining the staff at the Port of Hueneme as the Port’s new Chief Operations Officer. Port CEO & Director Kristin Decas said: “John comes to us with a strong background in operations and logistics in his over 20 years of service with the United States Navy. Demers, who is retiring from the Navy, will begin his post with the Port on Tuesday July 23, 2013. John’s home base is Santa Paula, CA where he lives with his wife Rachel and their youngest son. A graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies Demers is a desert storm veteran and served as a military liaison officer to the Iraqi Government during operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces New Superintendent for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Says Helis is “ideal fit” to oversee Academy’s future with military, academic experience. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today named Colonel (ret.) James Helis, Ph.D., as the new superintendent for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Helis, a 30-year Army veteran, will begin work at the Academy next month after spending the past eight years as a department chair at the United States War College. “Colonel Helis is an ideal fit for the Academy,” said U.S.

Boyd E. (Butch) King was appointed CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. at the beginning of the month. "King brings tremendous experience to his new position," said General (Ret.) John Coburn, CEO and Chairman of VT Systems Inc., in announcing the appointment. "He will be at the forefront to ensure that VT Halter Marine contributes to the profitability of our marine sector." King most recently served as a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton, consulting on various logistical support projects. Among others, this included the study and recommendation to revamp the Balkan Military Support initiative for the United States Army Europe. King…

General (Ret.) John Coburn, CEO and Chairman of VT Systems Inc., announced the appointment of Boyd E. (Butch) King as CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. at a company event celebrating the acquisition of VT Halter Marine. “King brings tremendous experience to his new position,” stated Gen. Coburn. Most recently a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton, King consulted on various logistical support projects. Among other, this included the study and recommendation to revamp the Balkan Military Support initiative for the United States Army Europe. King also played an instrumental role in developing the Capstone Training Course for the first Interim Brigade Combat Team command and staff for the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Prior, King had a successful 35-year career in the U.S.

Boyd E. "Butch" King is a man on a mission. The new CEO of VT Halter Marine, Inc. is rebuilding the shipbuilding company one contract at a time. "Our goal is to reestablish VT Halter Marine's world-wide reputation as a builder of midsize commercial and military vessels," King said from his office in Gulfport, Miss. King is a retired Brigadier General with a 35-year career in the U.S. Army culminating in his appointment as Director of Transportation, Energy and Troop Support on the Army staff. During his Army career, King was in charge of the management and tracking of 12,000 ocean shipping containers worldwide and headed various logistic operations including the shipment of combat equipment in support of operations in Haiti.