Rear Admiral Dean assumed the duties of Commander, 17th Coast Guard District in June 2023. She is responsible for Coast Guard operations throughout Alaska, the North Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. These operations include protecting life and property, ensuring marine safety, enforcing federal laws and treaties, protecting the marine environment, preserving living marine resources and promoting national security. The Coast Guard’s forces in Alaska total more than 2,500 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel, who employ 15 cutters, 52 boats, and 17 aircraft. Headquartered in Juneau, the District provides operationally ready maritime forces to Coast Guard and Department of Defense Commanders for Coast Guard, joint, and interagency operations both domestically and internationally.
Rear Admiral Dean previously served as Director of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Coast Guard, where she was responsible for external engagement with Congress, the media and other inter-governmental entities. Prior to promotion to Flag Rank, Rear Admiral Dean served as the Chief of Staff of the 13th Coast Guard District headquartered in Seattle, directing more than 2,000 men and women responsible for executing Coast Guard missions within the Pacific Northwest, including the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Rear Admiral Dean’s Coast Guard career has encompassed numerous operational tours. She began her career as First Lieutenant, Coast Guard Cutter VIGOROUS, in Cape May, NJ. She served as Executive Officer of Coast Guard Cutter CONIFER, in San Pedro, CA, Executive Officer of Coast Guard Cutter WILLOW, in Newport, RI, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter WALNUT, in Honolulu, HI, Deputy Commander Coast Guard Sector Baltimore and Commander Coast Guard Sector Miami. Staff assignments include Duty Officer in the 7th Coast Guard District Command Center, Aide to the Commander U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Military Assistant to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Rear Admiral Dean is a 1993 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy. She holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and she completed the National Security Fellowship at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Her personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal and Coast Guard Achievement Medal.