District Staff Officers
The Southwest Southern District has twenty one District Staff Officers who report to the District Chief of Staff. All District Staff Officer positions are appointed.
The Southwest Southern District is supported by District Staff Officers (DSOs), who serve as the district’s senior subject-matter leaders across a wide range of operational, administrative, training, and support programs.
Each DSO is responsible for coordinating and advancing a specific program area throughout the district, while providing guidance, resources, and support to the corresponding staff officers at the division and flotilla levels. Working closely with the District Commodore, District Captains, and other members of the district leadership team, DSOs help implement national and district priorities, promote consistent program standards, and strengthen communication and cooperation among Auxiliary units.
Dale Zimmermann - District Staff Officer – AUXSCOUT / Sea Scouts
The District Staff Officer for the Scouting (AUXSCOUT) program coordinates the official partnership between the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Scouts (Scouting America). These officers help flotillas charter Sea Scout units, facilitate maritime and STEM training, and ensure youth protection compliance.
Larry Fletcher - District Staff Officer – Aviation
The District Staff Officer for Aviation (DSO-AV) manages all administrative, functional, and operational matters for the Coast Guard Auxiliary aviation program (AUXAIR) within a specific district.
Emil Schultz - District Staff Officer – Communications
The District Staff Officer – Communications (DSO-CM) in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary manages and coordinates telecommunications, radio networks, and emergency operational communications to support the active-duty Coast Guard and recreational boating safety.
Tyler Yim - District Staff Officer – Communications Services
A District Staff Officer for Communication Services (DSO-CS) in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary manages information technology, web platforms, or radio communication networks to support active-duty Coast Guard and auxiliary units within a designated district.
Angelo Skiparnias - District Staff Officer – Culinary Assistance
A Coast Guard Auxiliary District Staff Officer for Culinary Assistance (DSO-CA) manages the Auxiliary Culinary Assistance (AUXCA) program at the district level. They coordinate volunteer training, sanitation courses, and galley support to feed active-duty crews at land units and aboard cutters.
Grant Graves - District Staff Officer – Emergency Management
District Staff Officer for Emergency Management (DSO-EM) is a leadership role in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. They manage disaster response, preparation, and mitigation programs, aligning volunteer training with active-duty Coast Guard Incident Management Teams and the Emergency Management guidelines.
Emily Scholz - District Staff Officer – Finance
The Coast Guard Auxiliary District Finance Officer is an appointed staff officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary responsible for overseeing financial policies, budgets, reports, and compliance across all divisions and flotillas within a specific Coast Guard district.
Jack Pauly - District Staff Officer – Human Resources
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Human Resources (HR) program manages member recruitment, enrollment processing, mentor assignment, retention, and fellowship activities across flotillas, divisions, and districts. It guides new volunteers through background checks, initial training, and continuous member development.
Connie Trejo - District Staff Officer – Information Services
The Information Services (IS) program in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary manages data collection, member activity reporting, and organizational record-keeping. Staff officers at the flotilla, division, and district levels track mission hours, operational accomplishments, and training data using the organization’s primary system of record, AUXDATA II.
Cullen Lee - District Staff Officer – Materials
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Materials Program supplies local units with official training texts, administrative forms, manuals, pamphlets, posters, and initial awards through the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC). Authorized staff officers order these items to support public education, member training, and unit operations.
Gregg Cochran - District Staff Officer – Member Training
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Member Training program provides instruction in boating safety, seamanship, and operational missions. Members complete online courses, personal qualification guides, and advanced specialty programs like Auxiliary Operations (AUXOP) to support Coast Guard duties.
Salvador Gonzalez - District Staff Officer – Navigation Systems
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Navigation Systems (NS) program supports the U.S. Coast Guard and federal partners by monitoring waterways, verifying aids to navigation, and updating nautical charts to ensure safe commercial and recreational marine transit
Dale Zimmermann - District Staff Officer – Operations
A District Staff Officer of Operations (DSO-OP) in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary manages and promotes the district’s operational programs, including surface patrols, search and rescue support, and training compliance. They act as the primary operational liaison between the district leadership, local divisions/flotillas, and active-duty Coast Guard units.
Patrick Newburn - District Staff Officer – Public Affairs
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs (PA) program manages internal and external communication to promote the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Members educate communities on recreational boating safety, handle media relations, and publish material through official channels.
David Padilla - District Staff Officer – Public Education
The Coast Guard Auxiliary public education program offers certified classroom and virtual courses on boating safety, local navigation, and seamanship. These affordable courses are taught by trained instructors to help recreational boaters meet state licensing requirements and prevent accidents.
Walter Baranger - District Staff Officer – Publications
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Publications Program produces national, regional, and local media—including the flagship national magazine The Auxiliarist (formerly The Navigator) and unit newsletters—to inform members and the public on boating safety, operational policies, and organizational achievements via the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Michael Farrar - District Staff Officer – Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program
The Coast Guard Auxiliary runs the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) program to save lives and prevent injuries on the water. Members partner with local marinas and shops to stock free safety brochures, equipment notices, and legal updates.
Jenson Crawford - District Staff Officer – Secretary/Records
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Secretary of Records program manages the recording, publishing, and archiving of official unit proceedings and historical documents. Executed locally by the Flotilla Staff Officer for Secretary of Records (FSO-SR) and supported at higher levels by the Administrative Services Group, this program ensures clear communication and long-term compliance.
Michael Johnson - District Staff Officer – State Liaison
The Coast Guard Auxiliary State Liaison Officer (SLO / DSO-SL) acts as a communication bridge between the Auxiliary and State Boating Law Administrators (BLAs), ensures public education courses meet state compliance and promotes state vessel safety checks and cooperative state-federal policies.
Gary Hooper - District Staff Officer – Vessel Examinations
The Coast Guard Auxiliary District Officer for Vessel Exams oversees the Vessel Safety Check program. This role involves several key responsibilities: officer exercises leadership and staff responsibility over all matters related to the District’s Vessel Safety Check program, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards, develop a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program plan tailored to the district’s needs, based on national guidelines, coordinates training for Vessel Examiners, ensuring they are well-prepared to conduct inspections and provide safety recommendations and they promote recreational boating safety through on-board vessel safety checks, aiming to enhance the safety of boaters.