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Keynote Presenter
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Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft assumed the duties of Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area in April 2012, where he serves as the operational commander for all U.S. Coast Guard missions within the half of the world that ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa. He concurrently serves as Commander, Defense Force West and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders.
Vice Admiral Zukunft was promoted to flag rank in 2006. His five previous flag assignments include The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship; Director of Response Policy, Assistant Commandant for Capability; Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District; and Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West. Additionally, Vice Admiral Zukunft served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Spill of National Significance in 2010 and directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft during the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft has served extensively at sea, commanding the CGC RUSH, CGC HARRIET LANE, and the CGC CAPE UPRIGHT. Vice Admiral Zukunft’s senior staff assignments include Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area where he directly supervised all major cutter operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He also served as Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Coast Guard District in Honolulu.
Vice Admiral Zukunft graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. He attended Webster University in 1988 where he received his Masters of Arts degree in Management, and the U.S. Naval War College in 1997 graduating with a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies Executive Seminar and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative course.
Vice Admiral Zukunft is a native of North Branford, Connecticut. He wears the permanent Cutterman pin and is a certified NIMS ICS Type I Incident Commander. His personal awards include the Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit and five Meritorious Service medals with “O” device among others.
