Thomas Nunes

WASHINGTON — Thomas Nunes, a Phoenix, Ariz., resident and long-standing champion of recreational boating safety, was appointed to serve as the Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for a two-year term that began Nov.1. Nunes will oversee all public affairs activities for the organization including serving as the primary liaison with the Coast Guard headquarters public affairs office.

“The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a tremendous organization with exception people who volunteer their time and resources toward keeping America’s waterways safe,” said Nunes. “I am truly honored to help promote this effort.”

Nunes has also been appointed to serve as the Director of Development for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc., based in St. Louis, Miss. He will spearhead the Association’s fundraising and outreach efforts in this capacity.

Nunes previously served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs where he functioned as Chief-of-Staff for the Public Affairs Directorate. He continues to be a regular contributor to Navigator – the official magazine of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – as well as to Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times.

Nunes teaches recreational boating safety classes in the Phoenix area and leads maritime safety patrols as a coxswain on Arizona waterways. He also serves as a Vessel Examiner and boating industry liaison where he his experience proves invaluable toward helping promote boating safety.

A native New Englander, Nunes graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1964 and served the Coast Guard for 20 years in a wide variety of assignments before retiring from commissioned service in 1984 as a Commander. Nunes resides in Phoenix with his wife Pam. Both are members of local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-8.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary created by an Act of Congress in 1939 is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard supporting the Coast Guard in nearly all its missions. For more information on the Coast Guard Auxiliary, please visit cgaux.org

EDITOR’S NOTE – PHOTO ATTACHED: Thomas Nunes, Director of Public Affairs