Closing Panel Session

Thursday, May 16, 2024
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
New Orleans Theater

Decision-Making Under Pressure: Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring a diverse set of seasoned Leaders in emergency response from governmental agencies, industry, and Oil Spill Response Organizations as they share their experiences, insights, and vision for the future of the field. The panelists will offer practical advice for the new generation of Leaders in oil spill response and emergency management, drawing from their own experiences and lessons learned.

The discussion will delve into key topics such as managing emergency situations, effective communication strategies during crises, best practices in personnel management, and innovative approaches to emergency response. Panelists will also highlight critical skills for the leaders in this field and discuss the importance of collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders in emergency situations.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the Leaders and gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in spill response, as well as practical advice for enhancing your career.

Panelists:

• Lisa McAuliffe, UK SOSREP
• Patrick Brady, BNSF
• Frank Paskewich, Clean Gulf Associates 
• VADM Gautier, US Coast Guard

Moderator:
Dr. Victoria Broje, Shell

About the Speakers:

Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier
Deputy Commandant for Operations
U.S. Coast Guard

Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier serves as the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) since June 2022, overseeing the development of operational strategy, policy, and resources to address national priorities. His extensive responsibilities encompass various Coast Guard missions, including intelligence, maritime security, law enforcement, and environmental response. Prior to this role, Vice Admiral Gautier held key positions such as Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Eleventh District in California, and Director of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Coast Guard.

Throughout his distinguished career, Vice Admiral Gautier has demonstrated leadership in response to significant events like the World Trade Center attacks, Shuttle Columbia Disaster, and Hurricane Katrina. He has also served in roles like Senior Director for Response Policy on the National Security Council staff, Commanding Officer of Sector New Orleans, and Chief of the Deepwater Horizon Action Office. Educated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, a Masters of Chemical Engineering, and a Masters of National Security Strategy, Vice Admiral Gautier has been honored with several military decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merits, and Meritorious Service Medals.

Patrick Brady
General Director Hazardous Materials Safety
BNSF Railway

Patrick, started with Burlington Northern (BN) Railroad in 1991 as a Corporate Industrial Hygienist.  He became the Assistant Director Hazardous Materials Safety in 1992.  Upon BN's merger with Santa Fe in January 1996, Patrick became the Manager of Hazardous Materials Field Operation and Emergency Response and was promoted to the Asst. Director of Hazardous Materials in 2002, Director Hazardous Materials in 2014 and to General Director, Hazardous Materials Safety in 2015. Additionally, Patrick is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and a Certified Safety Professional

Patrick’s responsibilities at BNSF include leading a team that is responsible for spill response, spill planning and hazmat regulatory compliance along with responsibility in protecting BNSF’s infrastructure during wildfires.

BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies, operating a rail network of over 33,000 route miles in 28 states and three Canadian provinces.

Frank Paskewich
President
Clean Gulf Associates

Currently the President of Clean Gulf Associates, a nonprofit cooperative that provides oil spill response resources to 77 exploration and production companies in the Gulf of Mexico.  Prior to assuming his position at Clean Gulf, he served 26 years in the United States Coast Guard retiring at the rank of Captain.  As Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans he served as the Incident Commander for response operations in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina coordinating search and rescue efforts that resulted in more than 33,500 rescues, pollution response efforts to 10 major oil spills totaling 8 million gallons of spilled oil, the reopening of the Lower Mississippi River to commercial traffic, the repair to more than 1800 damaged aids to navigation and the salvage of approximately 1000 vessels.  

A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, he also holds a Masters Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

Lisa McAuliffe
Deputy to the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention

Lisa‘s varied career in the maritime sector has spanned over two decades and covered multiple disciplines: the Armed Forces, commercial consultancy in the oil and gas industry and the Civil Service.

Joining the Royal Navy at 18, Lisa served as an Operator Mechanic specialising in communications before joining Her Majesty’s Coastguard, where her responsibility was the coordination of maritime search and rescue incidents. Lisa then joined an oil and gas industry consultancy where she specialized in environmental and emergency response.

In 2017, Lisa re-joined the UK Maritime Authority as a Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer and she was responsible for ensuring the regulatory compliance of over 150 ports and harbours. This role also included the response to maritime pollution and salvage incidents. Lisa was appointed as the Deputy to the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention in 2019. When notified of maritime incidents that present a risk to UK maritime safety and/or the environment, she represents the Secretaries of State of the Department for Transport (for shipping) or the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (offshore sector).

Victoria Broje, Ph.D.
Chair, IOSC 2024
Principal Emergency Management Specialist – Environment
Shell Emergency Management – PTS

Dr. Victoria Broje is an internationally recognized specialist with 20 years of experience in environmental science and emergency response.  She supports Shell businesses worldwide as a Subject Matter Expert for spill response technologies and environmental impacts assessments. She also leads a global Environmental Unit Network providing oil spill response training to Shell staff. Dr. Broje represents Shell at API, IOGP, CAPP and IPIECA committees developing best practices in emergency response and environmental protection. She frequently advises academic and governmental projects and serves as a Chair of the Board for the Clean Caribbean and Americas, a non-profit organization dedicated to outreach on spill response and environmental protection topics. She also chairs the API Science and Technology Working Group for oil spill prevention and response.