Benjamin Hawkins is Deputy Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards for the Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship. His responsibilities include the development of national maritime safety and environmental protection regulations and policies as well as overseeing U.S. initiatives in the development of international maritime safety, security, and environmental protection standards. Mr. Hawkins retired from active duty with the Coast Guard at the rank of Captain in 2018 after numerous assignments in marine safety including Chief of the Office of Design and Engineering Standards at Coast Guard Headquarters and Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Valdez, Alaska. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1992 and the University of Michigan in 1996, where he obtained advanced degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He subsequently graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in 2015 with an advanced degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.