Coast Guard Foundation Director Receives U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award

STONINGTON, Conn., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that board member, Guy Edison Clay Maitland, was the recipient of the Coast Guard's Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented by Coast Guard Commandant ADM Robert Papp, the honor for personal and direct contributions was bestowed following remarks at the Foundation's 30th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, which took place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in New York City.

Highlighting his fifteen years on the Foundation's National Board of Trustees and acknowledging his well-respected reputation in the maritime community, the award credits Maitland as a driving force behind Coast Guard Foundation activities.

Since joining the Foundation, he [Maitland] has contributed untold hours of service and exceedingly generous personal resources in support of Foundation programs that benefit the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families, declared Papp. These programs have helped those Coast Guard families impacted by Katrina, provided college scholarships for the children of enlisted personnel, provided educational grants for enlisted personnel, and delivered much needed relief to the Coast Guard units and families so deeply impacted by operational accidents in Hawaii, California and Washington.

It has been a tremendous honor for all of us at the Foundation to work with Clay over the last fifteen years, said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. His generous contribution of both time and financial assistance has not only supported our overall efforts, but also advanced exciting projects such as our Leadership-44 program to provide new sail training vessels to the Coast Guard Academy. We are proud to have Clay as a member of our Board, serving as a leader and directly impacting the lives of Coast Guard members and their families.

In addition to his service to the Coast Guard Foundation, Mr. Maitland is known throughout the maritime industry as an advocate for quality shipping through his work as Founding Chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) and Chairman of the Industry Advisory Council for the North American Maritime Ministry Association, amongst other distinctions. Professionally, Mr. Maitland is Managing Partner of International Registries, Inc. which administers the Marshall Islands ship registry—the world's third largest.

For over 40 years, the Coast Guard Foundation has been committed to inspiring leadership, learning and a proud legacy of service to our nation by supporting the men of women of the United States Coast Guard and their families. The Foundation provides higher education grants to enlisted personnel, reservist and their children, higher education financial support for families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty, financial relief to Coast Guard families who have lost possessions in natural disasters, and support for numerous moral and wellness boasting endeavors including funding recreation, exercise and family-oriented facilities.

Mr. Guy Edison Clay Maitland's exceptional public service contributions to Coast Guard members and their families are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard, concluded Papp.

For a full transcript of Mr. Maitland's Distinguished Public Service Award, more information on the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit the Coast Guard Foundation website www.coastguardfoundation.org.

About The Coast Guard Foundation

The Coast Guard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1969. It was initially created to provide funds for academic, athletic, and morale needs of the Coast Guard Academy and its cadets, which were not covered by federal operational funding. In 1986, the Foundation expanded its charter to support projects that enhance the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families. A Board of 100 Trustees from all parts of the country governs the Foundation. The Trustees elect from their members a 30 person Board of Directors to oversee the management of the Foundation. Located in Stonington, Connecticut, the Foundation employs a staff of twelve civilians responsible for meeting the Foundation's objectives and working closely with the Coast Guard on all issues.