News Release

SEATTLE - Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor will relieve Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore of command of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District in a change-of-command ceremony, in Seattle, Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 11 a.m.

The ceremony will be held at Coast Guard Base Seattle, located at Pier 36, 1519 Alaskan Way South.

Rear Adm. Blore assumed command of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District in July 2009. As District Commander, he was responsible for U.S. Coast Guard operations covering four states, more than 4,400 miles of coastline, 600 miles of inland waterways, and 125 miles of international border with Canada. He was in charge of more than 5,770 active duty, reserve duty, civilian and Auxiliary men and women; whom annual conducted more than 3,000 search-and-rescue missions, executed more than 3,200 law enforcement boardings, and inspected more than 5,700 vessels.

Rear Adm. Blore will retire from the Coast Guard, during a July 14, 2011, ceremony in Astoria, Ore., after serving the American public for more than 36 years.

Rear Adm. Taylor’s previous assignment was at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as the Assistant Commandant for Resources and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard. In this capacity, he was responsible for Coast Guard financial management and resource activities including planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of the service’s appropriations.

Rear Adm. Taylor, a native of Westfield, Mass., earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1983, a Master of Science in Industrial Administration degree from the Krannert School at Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he was a Sloan Fellow in 2000/2001. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Commendation Medals and the Transportation 9-11 Medal.

Vice Adm. Mason Brown, Commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, will preside over the ceremony.

The change of command is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is witnessed by all members so that they all know exactly when the transfer of leadership takes place.

Due to base security, media representatives interested in attending the change-of-command ceremony must contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.