Derek Burke
Suffolk
Summary
Dynamic operations leader with extensive experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, excelling in incident management and strategic planning. Proven track record in team leadership and effective communication, driving successful all-hazards responses across critical maritime domains. Adept at recruiting and marketing, fostering collaboration with federal and state partners to enhance operational readiness.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Unit
U.S. Coast Guard
07.2024 - Current
- Provides Command & Control (C2), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and information management for all incidents that meet Commander Atlantic Area's (CAA) Commander's Critical Information Requirements to LANTAREA Sr. leadership & all subordinate units incl. 5 districts, 26 sectors, & 28 cutters.
- Conducts Search and Rescue (SAR) prosecution on all cases where LANTAREA assumes SMC.
- Primary briefer delivering tri-weekly intelligence and operations brief to CAA.
- Watch rotation scheduler for 23 members.
Incident Management Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard
Savannah
06.2021 - 07.2024
- Leads Incident Management Division including 1 CPO/7 Petty Officers.
- Directs all-hazards response missions across 66,160sq mi AOR w/ two economic & military strategic ports ($140B revenue/yr), 2nd busiest roll-on/roll-off port, 3rd largest container port, w/ 100 mi of ecologically sensitive coastline.
- Oversees Contingency Planning, liaises w/ fed/state partners & coordinates Area Committee meetings.
- Senior Command Duty Officer: Led after hours duty team for all-hazards responses to cover 10 USCG Statutory missions
- CG Mutual Assistance Rep: Unit representative in providing mutual assistance funding to USCG members in need.
- Education Services Officer: Counseled members on benefits and process for attending online colleges and obtaining degrees. Approved Tuition Assistance requests and Education Plans for 60 members
- LDAC Chair: led leadership and Diversity events and trainings for CG members in area.
- Historically Black College/Uni (HBCU) rep: Liaised with local universities for recruiting initiatives and volunteer opportunities.
Enforcement Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
Hampton Roads
07.2018 - 06.2021
- Oversees the execution of Sector Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE); Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS) missions and Maritime Security and Response Operations (MSRO) for 2 STA’s and 5 WPBs.
- Supervised Sector Boarding Teams 12 personnel from E4 to E-7.
- Boarding Officer/Team Member
Officer Trainee
U.S. Coast Guard
Greensboro/Winston-Salem
06.2016 - 07.2018
- Assist in recruiting new members into the USCG.
- Coordinated military hiring events, and attended recruiting events in the VA/NC area.
Education
MBA - BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY05.2025
Bachelor of Arts - PSYCHOLOGY
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC05.2018
Skills
- Recruiting and marketing
- Incident management
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Risk assessment
- Strategic planning
- Flexible and adaptable
- Planning
- Leadership
- Self-Directed
- Dependable and responsible
- PPE compliance
- Social media strategy
- Digital marketing
Affiliations
Kappa Kappa Psi - National Honorary Band Fraternity
Timeline
Operations Unit
U.S. Coast Guard
07.2024 - Current
Incident Management Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2021 - 07.2024
Enforcement Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
07.2018 - 06.2021
Officer Trainee
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2016 - 07.2018
MBA - BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES
Western Kentucky University
Bachelor of Arts - PSYCHOLOGY
Winston-Salem State University