Office of External Affairs

Date: June 17, 2009

Contact:  Petty Officer 3rd Class Renee C. Aiello
(832) 293-1293

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston to hold Change of Command ceremony 

HOUSTON - Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston will hold a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. June 19, 2009, at the Leon Grayson Community Center. The change of command ceremony is a time-honored event preserved by the rich heritage of naval tradition.

The current Sector Houston-Galveston commander, Capt. William Diehl, arrived at Sector in July 2006.  He led Sector Houston-Galveston through numerous response efforts, including the response to the devastation of Hurricane Ike.  He worked tirelessly with Coast Guard and industry personnel to ensure the port of Houston was re-opened in a safe and timely manner in the days following Hurricane Ike.

Diehl is a 1982 graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  He holds a Masters of Science degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.  He is also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Virginia.

Captain Diehl wears several military decorations including two Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and a Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

Captain Diehl was born and raised in Olean, N.Y.  He is married to the former Annette Shea of Denver, Col.  They have a daughter Rachel, and two sons Daniel and Michael.  Diehl will retire and spend his time with his family in Seabrook.

Capt. Marcus Woodring, currently the Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, will assume the role of Sector Houston-Galveston commanding officer.  As commanding officer of Sector Houston-Galveston, his area of responsibility will extend from the Lake Charles, Louisiana to Freeport, Texas, and will include seven major ports, including Houston, the largest petrochemical port in the nation.  He will be in charge of 15 Coast Guard units and over 950 Active and Reserve personnel and 400 Auxiliary members.  Together, they perform all Coast Guard missions from law enforcement, and search and rescue operations to marine safety and security missions.  

A native of Plandome, N.Y., he is a 1983 graduate of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Geologic Sciences.  He attended the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School in 1984, graduating with a commission as an ensign.  Following an assignment to USCGC BEAR as a Deck Watch Officer, Captain Woodring commanded USCGC POINT JACKSON out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Woodring's personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Department of Transportation 9-11 Service Medal, five Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and various unit/team citations.  He is authorized the permanent Cutterman Insignia and the Advanced Boat Forces Insignia.

He is married to the former Kim Renee Fleming of Texas and has three grown sons; Matthew, Nathan and Adam.  He is an avid golfer, trap shooter, and lacrosse player.

Media interested in attending the Change of Command ceremony are asked to contact Petty Officer Renee C. Aiello at (832) 293-1293 for more details. 

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.