Commander Adam T. Cernovich, United States Coast Guard
Director of Auxiliary USCG District 8 Eastern and Western River Regions

Commander Adam Cernovich assumed Director of Auxiliary duties on August 1st, 2023. There are more than 1800 Auxiliary members in the Eighth District's Eastern and Western River Regions. Supporting Sector Ohio Valley, Sector Upper Mississippi River and Sector Lower Mississippi River; Auxiliarists serve alongside active-duty Coast Guard members, provide Recreational Boating Safety education and guard our waterways in 22 states across the Heartland. CDR Cernovich is a 2004 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.                                                                                                                                    
After commissioning, he reported as an Engineering Officer aboard Cutter GALLATIN (WHEC-721) in Charleston, SC where he deployed in support of counter narcotics patrols and responded to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.                                                                                                                       
In 2006, he reported to Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and after completion in 2007 was assigned to Air Station Miami, FL where he served as Facilities Engineering Officer, Public Affairs Officer and upgraded to Aircraft Commander in the MH-65C.                                                                     
He transferred to Air Station North Bend, OR in 2012 to conduct search and rescue operations in the harsh conditions of the Pacific Northwest. While in North Bend, he served as the Assistant Aeronautical Engineering Officer, Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner. Following these operational tours,                                                                                                                                                      
in 2015 he transferred to Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where he studied Aerospace Structures and Astrodynamics. Upon earning his Master of Science in Engineering, he was assigned to the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC where he served on the Short-Range Recovery (SRR; MH-65) product line. As the SRR Engineering Officer from 2017-2020, he defined operational and depot level maintenance requirements for a fleet of 98 helicopters. He also finalized the engineering plans for the first ever MH-65 service life extension, adding more than 20 years to the MH-65 program lifespan.                                                                                                   
Promoted to the SRR Product Line Manager position in 2020, he directed production efforts for a $350M avionics upgrade (MH-65E) amidst the global pandemic. Returning to the operational fleet, CDR Cernovich served as the Executive Officer of Air Station Detroit and Air Facilities Waukegan, IL and Muskegon, MI from 2022-2023.                                                                                                 
In addition to his Academy and Purdue engineering degrees, he also holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. Additionally, he has graduated from the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Damage Control Assistant School, the U.S. Air Force Jet Engine Mishap Investigation School, the U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Helicopter Rescue School and the U.S. Army High-Altitude Aviation Training Site.                                                                                             
He has over 2,900 flight hours and holds an FAA Commercial Pilot's License with Airplane and Helicopter Instrument ratings.                                                                                                               
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (two).                                                                                  
He and his wife Angie are both originally from Kewanee, IL. They have three children, Camden (12), Gavin (10), and Chloe (8). They maintain residences in both Kewanee, IL and Camdenton, MO.