Sector Charleston Deputy Commander
Commander Randy Preston
Commander Randy Preston assumed the duties as Deputy Sector Commander, Sector Charleston in July 2023. Prior to arriving at Sector Charleston, he attended the National War College in Washington, DC. In his previous field assignment, he served as Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Chicago, safeguarding the maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship of the busiest port complex within the Great Lakes Region, including 286 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and the Illinois River System.
Prior to his assignment in Chicago, he served as the Chief of the Coast Guard Investigations National Center of Expertise in New Orleans, Louisiana. In that role, he oversaw a staff of marine safety subject matter experts and investigating officers who led and supported marine casualty investigations across the globe. Commander Preston and his staff routinely worked alongside the National Transportation Safety Board and foreign governments while collaborating on the most complex and high-profile marine casualty investigations.
His other assignments include Supervisor at Marine Safety Detachment Lewes, Delaware; Prevention Department Head at Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Chief of Inspections Division at Marine Safety Unit Galveston, Texas; and Chief of the Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection Division at Integrated Support Command Alameda, California.
A native of Goldthwaite, Texas, Commander Preston received his commission in July 2003. He has over 34 years of service, 14 of those years serving as an enlisted member prior to earning his commission. Commander Preston is a marine safety and environmental protection professional with more than 18 years of operations ashore experience.
Some of his personal military awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation.
Commander Preston is a graduate of the National War College where he earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. He also holds a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Commander Preston is married to the former Tina Villasenor from San Francisco, California.