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Meet Your Leadership
Dr. Daniel J. Benny
Division Commander
Division 19, Fifth District North
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Dr. Benny had been associated with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1982. In that time he has held various Flotilla and Division Staff Officer positions and served as Flotilla Commander on three different occasions. He also served on the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary National Staff as Deputy Director for the Recreational Boating Safety Directorate.
He holds the Operational Auxiliarist (AUXOP) designation and has earned the Recreational Boating Safety Device. He is designated as a Boating Safety Instructor and Vessel Examiner.
He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Capella University and six master's degrees to including a Master of Science in Maritime and Naval Studies from the Maritime College State University of New York, a Master of Arts in Military History from Southern New Hampshire University, Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies and a Master of Arts in Homeland Security both from the American Military University, Master of Arts Security Administration from Norwich University and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He served as Naval Intelligence Office with the United States Navy for ten years and is a graduate of the United States Naval War College and United States Air Force Air War College. Dr. Benny is a full-time tenure Associate Professor with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University teaching courses online in intelligence, national security, counter-terrorism, and aviation security. He has published eight textbooks including Maritime Security, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security, U. S. National Security, and the Intelligence Service, Industrial Espionage, Private Investigation and Homeland Security, General Aviation Security, Cultural Property Security and Complete Guide to Physical Security. He also holds a Pennsylvania Private Investigators License and is a court-qualified security expert.
Elizabeth Pittinger
Vice Division Commander
Division 19, Fifth District North
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Elizabeth "Betsy" Pittinger joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary as part of Fifth Southern in January 2017 after several years of supporting husband Mike through his membership. Later that year Betsy and Mike moved back to Pennsylvania and transferred to Fifth Northern in 2018.After transferring Betsy started to pursue activities within the flotilla and earned the TCO, VE and Instructor qualifications. She was 1 of 12 people that were selected to participate in the 1st online instructor class as a test during COVID.
Betsy has held staff office positions in both the flotilla(FSO-DV and HR) and division(SO-DV) and currently holds The DSO-DV office.. She was VFC; FC at Station Long Level, Flotilla 19-05 and is currently VCDR of Division 19.
Outside of the Auxiliary, Betsy works as a data analyst on a federal project as well as being a nationally certified pharmacy technician.
In her free time Betsy enjoys time spent with her husband on their sailboat moored in the Chesapeake Bay. Together they have sailed offshore from Baltimore to Tampa multiple times. They also enjoy overlanding across the country in their Jeeps as well as travel to exotic places in the Caribbean and abroad. When time does not allow travel, they enjoy time spent with family & friends and love to host gatherings to facilitate those times.