Captain Thomas H. Farris
Commander, Sector
Captain Thomas H. Farris assumed the duties as the 32nd Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego on June 26, 2008. As such, he holds the position as Captain of the Port of San Diego and leads more than 1,000 men and women who serve on Active Duty, in the Reserves, Civilian contractors and volunteer Auxiliarists.
As the Coast Guard Captain of the Port in San Diego he is responsible for the safe conduct of maritime activity on all federally navigable waterways within an area that extends from offshore San Diego East to the Colorado River from Utah to Mexico.
As 28-year veteran of U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard service, Captain Farris’ diverse career includes 18 shipboard deployments, aviation certification of six different aircraft, airborne Law Enforcement, Large Department Head experience leading Port Security planning, Facilities Engineering, Response and Operations Center management, and Personnel Administration.
Prior to this assignment, Capt. Farris served as Chief of the Aviation Safety Division at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. There he worked closely with the Coast Guard’s Chief of Aviation Operations and Chief of Aeronautical Engineering in the design, development, implementation and oversight of all Coast Guard aviation programs.
He served as Group Operations Officer for Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., where he oversaw the multi-mission response, readiness, and training of more than 400 personnel, 24 aviation and surface assets operating from the Canadian Border to the Washington/Oregon state line.
Captain Farris earned a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies from Excelsior College and an Associate of Science in law enforcement from the University of Cincinnati.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with gold star, the Army Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer award. Additionally, he won the U.S. Army's European Helicopter Championship in 1983.