Justin L. Westmiller, PEM

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
Marysville, Michigan · 810-689-8022 · [email protected]

Professional profile

Retired Coast Guard officer with more than 20 years of service and experience in maritime search and rescue, command center leadership, SAR policy and instruction, and incident management. Former Deputy Administrator of the National Search and Rescue School and former command center director at Sector Detroit and Sector North Carolina.

Areas of expert consultation

SAR mission coordination · Search planning and execution · Distress communications · Command center performance · Operational decision analysis · Policy and accepted practice · Interagency and cross-border coordination

Selected experience

• National Search and Rescue School, Deputy Administrator (2013–2016): Managed seven courses and 21 staff; taught domestic and international SAR policy, search planning, mission coordination, and risk management.
• Sector Detroit, Command Center Director (2010–2013): Led 33 personnel and coordinated maritime operations with U.S. and Canadian agencies.
• Sector North Carolina, Command Center Director (2005–2007): Led a 36-member, 24-hour command center and oversaw more than 2,000 SAR cases during the assignment.
• Group Cape Hatteras, Operations Officer (2004–2005): Directed SAR and law enforcement operations for northern coastal North Carolina.
• St. Clair County, Michigan, HSEM Director (current): Leads emergency management, EOC operations, and multiagency coordination.

Education and qualifications

B.S., Criminal Justice Administration, University of Phoenix (2007). Professional Emergency Manager. Former Federal Search and Rescue Coordinator. Coast Guard command center qualifications included Command Duty Officer, Operations Unit Controller, and Situation Unit Controller. Held NIMS Type III qualifications in incident command, planning, operations, public information, and agency representation.

Engagement services

Preliminary case evaluation, records and communications review, timeline and decision-point analysis, written opinions and reports, technical consultation, and deposition or trial testimony within the agreed engagement scope. Full CV, current fee schedule, availability, and conflict review available by request.

Independent practice in a personal capacity. No government endorsement is implied. Qualifications summary prepared October 2026.