BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Currently the US Coast Guard Attache in Tokyo, Japan. Graduated from US Coast Guard Academy in 2004. With over 25 years of experience in Coast Guard Rugby and club Rugby across the U.S and internationally, Keith has served as a player, coach, manager and referee. As a coach, he led his team to a Massachusetts Division 2 High School State Championship. His career includes multiple collegiate, men's club and Armed Forces Rugby 15's Silver medals. He also led the inaugural Coast Guard Rugby team in the Armed Forces 7's competition. Keith hopes to raise funds and awareness for CGRF to effectively support and promote the Coast Guard Rugby family. Embracing discomfort is where growth happens, what truly makes Coast Guard Rugby special is the family we build around it.

Career Professional engineer including positions as Commanding Officer of CG Civil Engineering Unit Juneau, Base Honolulu and the Shore Maintenance Command. Also spent 11 years in the private sector as a consulting engineer at Jacobs. John played rugby for San Francisco, The University of Illinois, Olde Blue, New York, Boston and Seattle RFCs. Represented both the CG and Combined Services and captained the CG squad to an Armed Forces Championship victory in 1991. Fundraising is the primary objective. It costs money to travel and play; we must find more ways to support our players financially. Playing rugby is a real motivator. We want to provide opportunities for our players to participate so they are motivated to perform on the job and on the pitch.

Served aboard 2 Coast Guard Cutters before transitioning to aviation where he is now a commercial airline pilot. Played CG Rugby from 2002-2012 and ran the program from 2012-2018, overseeing the transition when Armed Forces Sports shifted from 15's to 7's. While in charge we fought through sequestration which impacted CG Rugby more than the other services due to how the funding was structured. JD Works on educating oncoming board members so we can mitigate having the same conversations and move forward. Rugby is the most accepting community I have experienced and has given me so much, an outlet from work, a broader sphere of friends, heartache and joy. I owe a lot to Rugby, finding a fitting into a new club was the easiest part of any move and I've had the opportunity to meet many great people playing for 6 different clubs.  

Keith Joined the Coast Guard in 2009. He has a career with many different roles including; Sector engineering support, operational diver and a high risk training instructor. Keith played in his first Armed Forces Tournament in 2010, Over the years he represented the CG multiple times as a player, most recently in 2021 and as an assistant coach in 2023 and 2024. Keith's focus for the foundation is on camaraderie and networking that extends beyond the pitch. Keith strives to help up and coming ruggers succeed while wearing the Coast Guard uniform, whether that's on the pitch or while advancing their careers.

 "Wherever I am at in my life, it's because rugby has enabled me to do that." - Gareth Thomas.

Jon retired from the Coast Guard after 21 years of service, having served at both afloat and shore units across the country. Following retirement, he continued his dedication to public service as a federal employee with the Coast Guard in Baltimore, MD. A long time rugby enthusiast, Jon played for the Coast Guard Academy 2000-2003 and the Coast Guard Service team 2006-2011, 2018. Jon has remained a committed supporter of Coast Guard Rugby ever since. He now proudly serves on the Board of Directors as chair of the Fundraising and sponsorship committee, where he is focused on building sustainable fundraising structures to support all Coast Guard Rugby teams well into the future. Rugby has been a meaningful part of Jon's life, forging some of his strongest friendships, and now he enjoys watching both of his teenage daughters discover their own love for the sport.  

Gene retired from the Coastguard in 2002 after a very successful professional career. He worked as a search and rescue pollution response investigator, Marine Safety instructor, a tour aboard the CGC White Holly all before attending flight school and becoming a pilot. He now is a captain for Southwest Airlines. Gene was on the very first Coast Guard Rugby team. He knew right off that this was a special group that he could be involved in. He fully believes that he wouldn't be as centered and successful as he is without Coast Guard Rugby in his life. His teammates, mentors and coaches are irreplaceable, and this was a driving force behind becoming a founder of the Coast Guard Rugby foundation. He wants to give back as much as he can to something that has given him so much. 

Currently serves as a Marine Safety Officer at Sector Houston-Galveston and has over 16 years of Coast Guard service. Alex is a founding member of the Coast Guard Women’s Rugby team, playing since the team’s inception in 2018. She has competed and coached in all Armed Forces tournaments and continues to play competitively with the Houston Athletic Rugby Club (HARC). As a Board Member, Alex is dedicated to growing CGRF’s social media reach, building its brand, and elevating Coast Guard rugby’s recognition nationwide. Throughout my time on active duty, rugby has been my anchor, providing a family away from home wherever I’ve served. I’m honored to give back by supporting Coast Guard members and their families through this incredible organization.

Vinny is a Direct Commission Engineering officer specializing in C5I. He began his Coast Guard career as an Information Systems Technician in 2010. He began playing rugby in 2000, competing across the country through 2020. He's coached high school and men's clubs and also played for Coast Guard rugby from 2013-2017 before joining the staff in 2018. He currently serves as the CG Men's team manager and previously coached the Women's All-Armed forces CISM team. Rugby has been an integral part of his life for two decades and has provided him with an outlet to meet others, compete and make connections across the country and world. The sport has given him the opportunity to travel domestically and internationally as well as compete in event stadiums that he never dreamed imaginable. Being part of the Board is important to him because it gives him an opportunity to give someone else a chance to experience the great benefits that this game has given him. 

Meghan joined the Coast Guard in 2013 and currently serves as an active-duty Corpsman stationed at Training Center Yorktown. Meghan played for the Coast Guard Women's Rugby team from 2019 to 2024. She previously played for the Cape Fear Women's Rugby, Norfolk Storm, and Cape Cod Women's Rugby. As a board member, Meghan feels incredibly fortunate to stay involved with CG Rugby even though she's hung her cleats up. Serving on the board gives her the ability to help these teams progress, grow, and get the funding and support that they need. She has really enjoyed witnessing the true passion of the former Ruggers who paved the way by starting this foundation for future generations of our rugby community.

Greg served 20 years on Active Duty in the Coast Guard, with a primary focus in Aviation and finance. He now continues his service as a Coast Guard civilian, managing resources across the Coast Guard Great Lakes region. An accomplished rugby player, Greg competed at Inside Center for San Francisco Golden Gate, Detroit RFC, and the Washington Irish. He also represented the Coast Guard Service Team and combined services. His passion for the Sport led him to serve as Head Coach of the US Coast Guard Academy Men's team and he is currently coaching at Cleavland Saint Ignatius High School. Greg previously held the role of treasurer for the Foundation. He believes that while rugby is played for the love of the game, it also instills lifelong values; strategy, dedication, teamwork and perseverance that resonate well beyond the pitch. 

Since joining the inaugural Coast Guard Rugby 7's team in 2012, Alex has remained an active participant in the program. He has contributed both on and off the field through today. He proudly represented the Coast Guard on the All Armed Forces Rugby team in 2012,2013, 2022 and 2023, competing alongside and against top military athletes from across the services. He became involved with the Foundation to help expand awarness of Coast Guard Rugby and it's positive impact on service members.  Serving on the Board of directors has given me the opportunity to support and advance the long term growth and success of both the men's and women's programs, ensuring future generations of Coast Guard athletes have the resources and community they need to thrive. 

John is currently stationed at USCG Sector Mobile and has 17 years of Active-Duty service. He started playing rugby in 2004 and has played with the CG Men's team since 2014. In 2021 he joined the CGRF to assist in growing Coast Guard Rugby off the pitch. He has served as a board member and secretary. He is passionate about growing Coast Guard Rugby because it strengthens more than just players. It builds confidence, character and camaraderie. He want's others to experience the same growth and support this sport has given him throughout his Coast Guard journey.