William Bill Hess

About William Bill Hess

I perform a central role in protecting the public from all maritime threats and hazards through command and control of boats, cutters, aircraft and personnel. Working from the nerve center where all major operational plans and decisions are made, I develop search and rescue plans to save mariners in danger, oversee law enforcement operations, and gather and apply intelligence information while operating the most advanced tactical computer systems in the Coast Guard.I have the ability to work in a stressful and high-paced environment, with interest and aptitudes for working with computer-based applications. Additionally, I have exceptional attention to detail and above average ability in solving mathematical problems. I specialize in physical, information, operations, and force protection security with expertise in systems capabilities, limitations, and reliability. In addition, I organize and supervise personnel and provide technical advice and information concerning security practices, and advise senior leadership on common operating procedures.I have extensive training in the Incident Command System and Security (all disciplines) completing over 400 classroom and online courses in command, control, and coordination of emergency response including job specific training as a Type 3 Communications Unit Leader, Liaison Officer, Coast Guard Agency Representative, ICS Staff, Active Search Suspension Authority, and a Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator. I currently maintain a Tier 5 security investigation.

Experience

1. Director of Security

   U.S. Coast Guard

   Mar 2025 — Present · Portsmouth, VA, US

   In my role as the Director of Security for Coast Guard units across the U.S Mid Atlantic, I serve as the authority on a wide array of security disciplines, including Physical, Information, Cyber, Industrial, Personnel, and Operations Security. Tasked with ensuring the safety and security of personnel, assets, and operations within the region, my responsibilities are multifaceted and vital to the success of Coast Guard missions.As the principal security advisor, I work closely with 126 Unit Commanding Officers and Command Security Officers, providing expert guidance and support to ensure strict compliance with security protocols, as well as Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection measures. Additionally, I conduct thorough biennial facility security compliance assessments for all 126 facilities, meticulously evaluating security measures to identify and address any vulnerabilities or areas for improvement.In my role as the Security Education, Training, and Awareness Manager, I am deeply committed to enhancing the knowledge and preparedness of all personnel within the Coast Guard’s Southeast Region. Utilizing various real-time collaborative tools such as MS Teams, SharePoint, Monthly SYNC calls, and Email, I engage with our workforce to deliver comprehensive security training and awareness initiatives. These efforts have yielded tangible results, significantly improving security hygiene, readiness levels, and achieving notable enhancements in compliance assessment outcomes. Moreover, our proactive approach has led to a reduction in incidents involving sensitive information, further fortifying our security posture and ensuring the safety of our operations.Within the Coast Guard East District, my dedication to security excellence and proactive leadership is unwavering, as we strive to uphold the highest standards of security readiness and preparedness to safeguard our personnel and assets in the dynamic and challenging environments we operate in.

Education

• Central Crossing High School

  High School

  2001 — 2005

• American Public University System

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Emergency and Disaster Management

  2010 — 2019

• Columbia Southern University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration - Project Management

• American Public University System

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Security Management with a concentration in Government Security