Tony Russell

Tony Russell, 34, is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Coast Guard specializing in cutter operations, including command of USCGC NANTUCKET.  He has conducted numerous interagency and multi-national law enforcement operations and international engagement with more than a dozen nations. His staff assignments include volunteering as Public Affairs Officer to Coast Guard Forces Southwest Asia for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and serving as the first-ever Information Officer for Homeland Security Task Force Southeast in 2004, where he oversaw the efforts of six agencies helping prevent a mass migration from Haiti.  He is currently the Press Secretary to the Commandant where he has spearheaded a first-of-its-kind social media engagement program for a military service chief.  Twice Tony has been selected for Coast Guard advanced education programs. In 2002, he graduated from Florida International University as the “Most Outstanding Graduate Student” with a Master of Mass Communication.  In 2008, he received a Master of Military Studies from the Marine Corps University, where he won the Joint Chief’s of Staff Strategic Essay Contest. His community contributions include helping plant City Church, a unique, mission-oriented church committed to bringing social, cultural and spiritual renewal to the city of Fort Lauderdale.  He and his wife Traci have three sons, Alec (7), Aidan (5) and Cameron (8 months).