Tim Close, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), is a dynamic, resourceful professional; an exceptionally articulate customer-focused, goal-oriented executive with outstanding oral and written communication skills; combines proven judgment, keen insight and an analytical approach to problem solving; a seasoned decision-maker with 34 years of proven maritime leadership.

His experience includes:

  • Principal, Tim Close Consulting, Sarasota, FL; since Sep 2015 
  • General Manager, Corporate Safety and Security, Horizon Lines, Inc., Irving, TX; 2012-2015
  • Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Coast Guard District, Honolulu, HI; 2010-2012
  • Sector Commander, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, FL; 2008-2010
  • Chief of the Western Rivers Division, Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA; 2004-2008
  • Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Savannah, GA; 2002-2004
  • Chief, Human Element & Ship Design Division, Coast Guard HQ, Washington, DC; 1998-2002
  • Executive Officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Cleveland, OH; 1995-1998
  • Chief of Inspections, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Morgan City, LA; 1993-1995
  • Marine Inspector, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Morgan City, LA; 1991-1993
  • Quality Assurance Division, Office of Acquisition, USCG HQ, Washington, DC; 1986-1991
  • Assistant Engineering Officer, USCGC STEADFAST; 1982-1984

His Qualifications include:

Executive Leadership:  He had responsibility for the safety, security and environmental compliance programs for a fleet of ocean-going container ships and 4 port terminals. He developed and implemented policies including training and compliance verification efforts working with shore-based managers and senior officers on the ships. In his last position with the U.S. Coast Guard, he supervised over 1100 personnel in Hawaii and across Oceania and controlled an annual budget of $9M. He supervised operational units and a staff in the execution of complex and varied missions that involved close cooperation and coordination with multiple federal and state agencies plus numerous foreign nations. He has shown the skills to manage multiple activities simultaneously while ensuring his subordinates maintained focus on strategic goals.

Emergency Management:  Extensive experience in organizational responses to emergencies. Led Horizon Lines in the development and implementation of a corporate level emergency response plan to bridge the gap between the field response and the information demands of corporate decision makers. Had a leadership role in the Fourteenth Coast Guard District response to a major earthquake in Japan, resultant tsunami and subsequent concerns for radiation. Led the Coast Guard response on the west coast of Florida to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill including multi-agency coordination using the Incident Command System. Had a leadership role in the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast in 2005. Participated as the senior Coast Guard Officer in the multi-agency security operations associated with the NFL’s Superbowl in Tampa in 2009 and the multi-national G-8 Summit in Sea Island, Georgia in 2004. Participated in numerous emergency response training exercises at the local, regional and federal levels.

Development of Education and Training Programs: He has implemented detailed training and education programs for entry level and seasoned personnel to achieve high levels of proficiency. Additionally, he led the Coast Guard’s effort from 1998-2002 focusing on human factors as a means of improving marine safety including developing the crew endurance management system, developing non-regulatory solutions, and starting the innovative risk-based decision making efforts. He has been sought out for his ability to explain, put into perspective and answer questions pertaining to emerging concerns. Communication Skills: A very effective communicator and public speaker across a broad range of audiences. He has directed strategic discussions, has spoken before numerous public groups including several that were contentious and is experienced communicating with the media. He has briefed CEOs, members of Congress, senior federal government officials and senior military officials on a wide range of topics including new corporate initiatives, specific Coast Guard actions including emergency response operations and emerging threats. Conducted numerous press conferences and briefings for ongoing Coast Guard operations including response efforts to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Search and Rescue cases with major media coverage.

Coalition Building:  He has proven executive level abilities to build coalitions under even the most challenging circumstances. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, he quickly formed a coalition of federal agencies, state agencies, BP and scientific support from the academic community in a high-pressure environment with increasing public concern. As the Federal On Scene Coordinator for the west coast of Florida, he created an organizational framework that forged cooperation and information sharing. In conjunction with his technical briefs to Congressmen, the Governor of Florida, senior U.S. Department-level and local elected officials, he coordinated response actions and led numerous press events that directly reduced serious public concerns.

Implementing Change: He is experienced in identifying organizational opportunities, gaining broad support and successfully implementing changes. At Horizon Lines, he completely revised the Safety Management System on the ships making it substantially more user friendly while also allowing for easier updates. In the Coast Guard, he aggressively implemented the national strategy with 225 Reservists under his command through a comprehensive and creative approach. He created a centrally managed training program that was structured, outcome focused and measurable. He empowered officers and senior enlisted leadership to take ownership of the program and train personnel to meet specific contingency and mobilization needs. Reserve leaders were empowered to act and held accountable, providing them valuable leadership experience. The success was shown during the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill when those same Reservists were recalled to active duty and employed their new skills and qualifications.

Innovation/Vision:  In the months following 9/11, he played a critical role in developing an innovative risk-based tool for use by local Coast Guard units to evaluate risks and target limited resources to specific mitigation measures that most reduced risk. Through a series of detailed briefs and demonstration sessions, he showed the efficacy and versatility of the tool to senior leadership and gained complete support for this visionary approach. Then he developed the plan to distribute the tool complete with training modules and detailed policy and procedures. The value of the tool and effectiveness of the implementation earned the Secretary of Transportation’s Team Award in November 2002.

His education includes:

  • M.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986
  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986
  • B.S. in Marine Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 1982

His awards include:

  • Maritime Person of the Year, Propeller Club, Port of Tampa, 2010
  • Maritime Person of the Year, Savannah Maritime Association, 2004
  • Numerous Military Awards including the Legion of Merit, 6 Meritorious Service Medals,   9-11 Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 7 Meritorious Team Commendations.
  • John and Fannie Hertz Foundation Fellowship; awarded in 1982