CDR Jonathan H. Potterton
CDR Potterton most recently worked at Base Boston where he served as the Naval Engineering Department Head and Regional Naval Engineer, where he led 175 personnel across eight sub-units including four Maintenance Augmentation Teams (MAT), one Weapons Augmentation Team (WAT), two Industrial Production Facilities (IPF), and one Industrial Production Detachment (IPD). Each unit had different roles in completing preventative and corrective maintenance for cutters, boats, facilities, aids to navigation, and weapons throughout the New England Region ranging from Maine to New Jersey.
CDR Potterton is a Permanent Cutterman and Naval Engineer, whose prior sea tours include: Executive Officer CGC VALIANT in Mayport, Florida; Engineer Officer CGC MORGENTHAU in Alameda, California; Assistant Engineer Officer CGC BERTHOLF in Pascagoula, Mississippi; and Damage Control Assistant and Auxiliaries Officer CGC SENECA in Boston, Massachusetts.
CDR Potterton’s prior Mission Support and Acquisitions tours include assignment to Surface Forces Logistics Center Long Range Enforcer Product Line (LREPL) and Pre-Commissioning Detachment at Project Resident Office (PRO) Gulf Coast. As a LREPL Section Chief for Availability Project Management he was responsible for all depot maintenance scheduling, budgeting and execution, for the heavy and medium icebreaking fleet. At PRO Gulf Coast, he was responsible for testing oversight of all Damage Control and Auxiliary systems during production of the first National Security Cutters.
CDR Potterton also served as Lead Instructor and Officer in Charge of the NAVY Surface Warfare Officer School – Damage Control Assistant and Senior Enlisted Course in Norfolk, Virginia.
A native of Manchester, Connecticut, CDR Potterton graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and received his commission in May 2004.
CDR Potterton earned a Master of Engineering in Concurrent Marine Design and a Master of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2010. Additionally, he is certified as Program Manager Level 3 and Contracting Officer’s Representative Level 3.
CDR Potterton assumed command of CGC Vigilant in June of 2023. His personal awards include three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and two Commandant’s Letter of Commendations in addition to various unit awards.
CDR Potterton and his wife Sarah live in Swampscott, Massachusetts with their daughter Emily (7).