May 19, 2010

From the Staff Director

Gary Seffel

Changes

I am pleased to announce the formation of the National Maritime Domain Awareness Coordination Office and the restructuring of the Executive Steering Committee of the MDA Stakeholders Board. Proposed by the MDA Executive Agents of DOT, DHS, DOD and the National Maritime Intelligence Center and approved by the MSIPC, these changes are designed to facilitate an integrated interagency effort to produce and disseminate Maritime Domain Awareness across the whole of government and to ensure productive exchange with our state, local, tribal, business and industry, and international partners.

The National MDA Coordination Office, formerly OGMSA, continues to pursue those 19 specific responsibilities detailed in the CONOPS. Staffing, goals, and current initiatives remain in place and of vital importance. The National MDA Coordination Office continues to be the action office for non-classified MDA policies and projects under the direction of the Executive Steering Committee. Future responsibilities, specific tasking, areas of expertise and staff composition are under review to ensure mission accomplishment.

The revised Executive Steering Committee consists of the MDA Executive Agents from DOT, DHS and DOD as well the Director of NMIC. Each will complete a one year term as ESC Chairman, on a rotating basis. Mr. Dana Goward, representing DHS, will serve as the first ESC Chairman.

This website will continue to serve the GMCOI by providing announcements, listing upcoming events and summarizing past events. The MDA Wiki will continue to host discussion and invite comment. A domain name change, in keeping with the new national effort, is being procured and will be announced via the webpage.

As roles and responsibilities evolve, as technological portals improve, and as new initiatives are undertaken, the National MDA Coordination Office, under the direction of the ESC and its Chair, will endeavor to keep all our partners abreast of developments as they unfold. Your past support has been greatly appreciated. We look forward to a continued excellent working relationship and have every confidence in a brighter and safer tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Gary Seffel
Staff Director
National Maritime Domain Awareness Coordination Office

This page was last updated on July 8, 2010.