Peter Boynton
Encyclopedia
Peter J. Boynton, is co-director of The George J. Kostas Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University in Boston
. Boynton most recently served as Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the state of Connecticut
.
Retired United States Coast Guard as well as former Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration
at Bradley International Airport
, Boynton has been described by former Governor M. Jodi Rell
as one of the leaders of America's domestic security effort.
in New London, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering, and a 1994 graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
, where he received a master’s degree in public administration.
, Boynton commanded the Coast Guard cutters CAPE MORGAN (Cape class patrol boat
), USCGC Ocracoke, and USCGC Escanaba (WMEC-907)
and managed the Aviation Drug Interdiction Program at Coast Guard Headquarters. He served as Director for Global Affairs on the United States National Security Council
from 1995 to 1997, where he coordinated policy for the prevention of drug and migrant smuggling. He was Chief of Operational Planning from July 1999 to July 2001, then Chief of Governmental Affairs for the Boston-based First Coast Guard District from August 2001 to May 2004. Boynton served as Captain of the Port and Sector Commander in New Haven from June 2004 to June 2007, followed by a two-year term as the Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration
at Bradley International Airport
August 2007-August 2009. During his tenure, Bradley became one of the top 10 rated TSA operations in the eastern United States.
In 2009, Boynton was nominated by former Governor M. Jodi Rell
to be the state of Connecticut's next Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).
Of the nomination, Governor Rell said: “Peter’s decades of dedicated service to our nation, the many roles he has played in the Coast Guard and his experience at Bradley combine to make him an ideal candidate for the many tasks that befall the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. From planning and drilling for natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks to working with me to respond to major storms to collaborating with our Congressional delegation and local leaders on issues of homeland security funding, DEMHS is essential to what I have often described as government’s foremost responsibility: ensuring the safety of its citizens. Ever since the dark days of September 2001, the Coast Guard has been on the front line of America’s domestic security effort–and Peter Boynton has been one of the leaders of that effort. I am tremendously pleased he is willing to take on this new role and I am confident the Legislature will agree.”
Boynton was re-appointed by Governor Dan Malloy
in early 2011, following a record-breaking winter storm season.. As Commissioner of DEMHS, Boynton was responsible for disaster response, and for coordinating planning, communications, training and counter-terrorism efforts in the state. During his tenure, Boynton testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs regarding ongoing planning to prepare for a possible Fall 2009 H1N1 outbreak in the State of Connecticut. He regularly released safety bulletins during severe weather conditions, and is featured in two public service announcements about emergency preparedness.
On September 7, 2011, Boynton announced he would leave his post as Commissioner to take a position leading the new institute on homeland security at Northeastern University.. Following the announcement, Gov. Malloy said of Boynton, "I have been continually impressed with his ability to coordinate the state's efforts before, during and after an emergency, his insight and experience, and his ability to stay calm under pressure. Peter will be sorely missed at the EOC, but I have no doubt he will be an invaluable resource for students at Northeastern University."
. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Military Officers Association of America
and is Chair of the Connecticut Maritime Pilot Commission.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Boynton most recently served as Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the state of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Retired United States Coast Guard as well as former Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
at Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
, Boynton has been described by former Governor M. Jodi Rell
M. Jodi Rell
Mary Jodi Rell is a Republican politician and was the 87th Governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut from 2004 until 2011. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut under Governor John G. Rowland, who resigned during a corruption investigation. Rell is Connecticut's second female Governor,...
as one of the leaders of America's domestic security effort.
Background
Peter J. Boynton is a 1979 graduate of the United States Coast Guard AcademyUnited States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
in New London, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering, and a 1994 graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, where he received a master’s degree in public administration.
Career
Serving more than 28 years in the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, Boynton commanded the Coast Guard cutters CAPE MORGAN (Cape class patrol boat
Cape class patrol boat
Cape class patrol boats were steel hull patrol boats with aluminum superstructures of the United States Coast Guard. They were unnamed until 1964, when they acquired names of US capes of land. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare , all 35 boats in this class were built at the United...
), USCGC Ocracoke, and USCGC Escanaba (WMEC-907)
USCGC Escanaba (WMEC-907)
USCGC Escanaba is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her keel was laid on April 1, 1983 at Robert Derecktor Shipyard Incorporated, Middletown, Rhode Island. She was launched February 6, 1985 and is named for her predecessor, USCGC Escanaba , which...
and managed the Aviation Drug Interdiction Program at Coast Guard Headquarters. He served as Director for Global Affairs on the United States National Security Council
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
from 1995 to 1997, where he coordinated policy for the prevention of drug and migrant smuggling. He was Chief of Operational Planning from July 1999 to July 2001, then Chief of Governmental Affairs for the Boston-based First Coast Guard District from August 2001 to May 2004. Boynton served as Captain of the Port and Sector Commander in New Haven from June 2004 to June 2007, followed by a two-year term as the Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
at Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
August 2007-August 2009. During his tenure, Bradley became one of the top 10 rated TSA operations in the eastern United States.
In 2009, Boynton was nominated by former Governor M. Jodi Rell
M. Jodi Rell
Mary Jodi Rell is a Republican politician and was the 87th Governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut from 2004 until 2011. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut under Governor John G. Rowland, who resigned during a corruption investigation. Rell is Connecticut's second female Governor,...
to be the state of Connecticut's next Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).
Of the nomination, Governor Rell said: “Peter’s decades of dedicated service to our nation, the many roles he has played in the Coast Guard and his experience at Bradley combine to make him an ideal candidate for the many tasks that befall the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. From planning and drilling for natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks to working with me to respond to major storms to collaborating with our Congressional delegation and local leaders on issues of homeland security funding, DEMHS is essential to what I have often described as government’s foremost responsibility: ensuring the safety of its citizens. Ever since the dark days of September 2001, the Coast Guard has been on the front line of America’s domestic security effort–and Peter Boynton has been one of the leaders of that effort. I am tremendously pleased he is willing to take on this new role and I am confident the Legislature will agree.”
Boynton was re-appointed by Governor Dan Malloy
Dan Malloy
Dannel Patrick "Dan" Malloy is the 88th and current Governor of Connecticut. He was the Mayor of Stamford, Connecticut from December 1995 until December 2009. Malloy had been endorsed by the Connecticut Democratic Party on May 22, 2010 over 2006 Democratic U.S...
in early 2011, following a record-breaking winter storm season.. As Commissioner of DEMHS, Boynton was responsible for disaster response, and for coordinating planning, communications, training and counter-terrorism efforts in the state. During his tenure, Boynton testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs regarding ongoing planning to prepare for a possible Fall 2009 H1N1 outbreak in the State of Connecticut. He regularly released safety bulletins during severe weather conditions, and is featured in two public service announcements about emergency preparedness.
On September 7, 2011, Boynton announced he would leave his post as Commissioner to take a position leading the new institute on homeland security at Northeastern University.. Following the announcement, Gov. Malloy said of Boynton, "I have been continually impressed with his ability to coordinate the state's efforts before, during and after an emergency, his insight and experience, and his ability to stay calm under pressure. Peter will be sorely missed at the EOC, but I have no doubt he will be an invaluable resource for students at Northeastern University."
Awards and decorations
Boynton is licensed in the Merchant Marines. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Presidential Service BadgePresidential Service Badge
The Presidential Service Badge is a badge of the United States military issued to service members who serve as full-time military staff to the President of the United States...
. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Military Officers Association of America
Military Officers Association of America
The Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA, is an association of 370,000 military officers, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families. It is an independent, nonprofit, and politically nonpartisan organization...
and is Chair of the Connecticut Maritime Pilot Commission.