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Aux Spotlight - Tim Marks By Christopher Orlando , ADSO-PB
Behind every issue of “ Topside ” is a captain at the helm . That captain is Tim Marks , District Staff Officer of Publication from Flotilla York ( 19-05 ).
Marks has been in the Auxiliary since 2012 and said his start in the Auxiliary is unique and unexpected . “ I have always loved the Coast Guard . My first experience started back when I was very young and was watching the 1970 Disney movie ‘ The Boatniks ,’" said Marks . “ Not the best representation of the Coast Guard , I am sure , but it had an impact on me . I thought it would be exciting to be in the Coast Guard .”
Fast forward 30 years later , Marks said , “ I was taking my kids to McDonald ' s for dinner one night and when I went in there was a person with his family in a Coast Guard uniform . Later I discovered that it was Jay Price , at that time the Division Commander for Division 14 ( now 19 ). Jay is now in Delaware , but still a current member of 5NR . Well , seeing him in uniform got me to thinking and doing research where I discovered the Auxiliary . I began attending several meetings of the local flotilla and joined very quickly . I loved the idea that I could still serve in a small way with the Coast Guard .”
Marks began his role in Publications in 2012 . “ Our division did not have a current newsletter or SO-PB . I asked the Division Commander Kevin Tyler if he thought I could take over and rekindle the division newsletter . He agreed , and I have been in that position ever since . “ Shortly thereafter , I stepped into the role of ADSO-PB to take the reins of the District Calendar from the renowned Harry Dyer . After two years in that role , I moved into the helm of the Publication Department as DSO-PB in 2015 , taking over from District COMO Joe Giannattasio .” Marks has recently accepted a position as the Assistant Editor of Navigator , the U . S . Coast Guard Auxiliary National Publication .
Marks said his goals for “ Topside ” are “... to continue to be producing a quality , quarterly newsletter while adhering to the 5NR Publication Department mission statement that we created this year : The Publication Department exists in order to keep the Coast Guard , our membership , other government agencies , and the boating public informed through various formats and publications . In doing so the Department strives to showcase Auxiliary activities and achievements to other stakeholders and seeks to attract members of the public to potentially become new Auxiliarists .
“ Tim Marks ’ s vision and diligence has yielded the compilation of hundreds of articles and photos that promote the story of our members and their activities throughout the Auxiliary ” said District Commodore Joseph Giannattasio .
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