Admiral Linda L. Fagan joins the Pacific Council community for a fireside chat titled "America’s Coast Guard: Enduring Value in the Face of Global Threats" to share her unparalleled insights on maritime security, the evolving challenges faced by the Coast Guard, and her own personal experiences. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from a trailblazing leader shaping the future of our national security and maritime strategy.

Celebrate the season with your fellow members, and enjoy festive-themed food and refreshments. 

Featured Speaker

Admiral Linda L. Fagan assumed the duties as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1st, 2022. As Commandant, she oversees all global Coast Guard operations and 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, and 8,700 civilian personnel, as well as the support of 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers.

She previously served as the 32nd Vice Commandant. Prior flag assignments include Commander, Pacific Area, and Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force West; Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capability; Commander, First Coast Guard District; and a joint assignment as Deputy Director of Operations for Headquarters, United States Northern Command.   

Admiral Fagan has served on all seven continents, from the snows of Ross Island, Antarctica, to the heart of Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way. Operational tours include Commander, Sector New York, more than 15 years as a Marine Inspector, and sea duty in USCGC POLAR STAR, a 399 ft heavy polar icebreaker.  Staff assignments include Executive Assistant to the Commandant and Vice Commandant, and Division Chief of the Foreign and Offshore Compliance Office.

Possessing extensive interagency and intergovernmental experience, Admiral Fagan has worked with both the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization on flag-state and port-state issues. This work includes the development of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) and the Consolidated Maritime Labor Convention.

Admiral Fagan holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington, and a Master in National Resource Strategy degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She has earned numerous personal and team awards during her 37 years of Coast Guard service.  Admiral Fagan is the longest-serving active duty Marine Safety Officer and holds the distinction of being the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident.

Presider

Gene Seroka is the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in North America. The Port has experienced a series of record-breaking performances since his appointment, which was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council in June 2014. In addition to multiple monthly and quarterly cargo records, the Port of Los Angeles has set two new milestones during his tenure: The first port in the Western Hemisphere to process 10 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in a 12-month period in June 2021 and 1 million TEUs in a single month in May 2021. 

As Executive Director, Seroka interacts with a wide range of stakeholders, including Port customers around the globe, industry partners, elected and appointed officials at all levels, business leaders, community organizations and local residents. A respected global trade expert, Seroka has advocated for rules-based trade agreements that benefit American exporters and manufacturers.

As chief of America’s top port, Seroka is responsible for managing a $2.6 billion budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volume, and promoting innovative, sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy. Under his direction, the Port has taken a leadership role in adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve the reliability, predictability, and efficiency of the flow of cargo across global seaborne trade. 

Seroka oversaw the Port’s launch of the first-of-its-kind digital information portal, Port Optimizer™, and has championed for ports around the world to share critical supply chain data and analytics. He’s leading the Port’s efforts to reach ambitious goals for zero-emission cargo-handling equipment and heavy-duty trucks over the next decade. He’s also overseeing the Port’s international green and digital shipping corridor partnerships with China, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam.