Secure Your Seat for an Evening of Honor and Recognition!
Join us for a prestigious dinner event celebrating the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection—the heroes who keep our port safe and our cargo flowing.
Thursday, March 20th
Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club
In partnership with the Navy League of the United States – Mayport, Florida Council, the Propeller Club – Port of Jacksonville proudly hosts this annual tradition to recognize:
US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Sailor of the Year
Customs & Border Protection, Area Port of Jacksonville, Officer of the Year
Special Guest Speaker – To Be Announced!
Reception: 5:00 p.m. | Dinner & Program: 6:00 p.m.
Ticket: $80 (Includes dinner & one drink ticket | Cash bar available)
The Award Winners
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) Brandon Fort was born and raised in Sanford, FL and attended the University of Central Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.
Officer Fort decided to take a different career path and join federal law enforcement. Officer Fort began his CBP career at the Port of Calais, Maine. While in Calais, Officer Fort was assigned to the Passenger Processing Team, where he inspected travelers arriving to the United States from Canada. It was there that he gained his vast knowledge and understanding of immigration laws relating to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Officer Fort was selected to join the Enhanced Counter Terrorism Team (eCTR) where he interviewed travelers for National Security related issues, Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crimes, and Intel gathering. Officer Fort also spent time in the Cargo Processing Unit where he worked with stakeholders, brokers, and shippers on formal, information, and bonded shipments.
Officer Fort transferred to Jacksonville, FL in 2022, and was assigned to the Passenger Analytical Unit (PAU). Officer Fort targeted, vetted, and inspected incoming passengers and crewmembers seeking entry into the United States.
While in PAU, Officer Fort spearheaded the creation of the Human Trafficking Initiative in Jacksonville, FL as it was recognized a problem set that was not properly being addressed both locally and within CBP as an agency. Officer Fort has been responsible for increased enforcement actions relating to Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation throughout the Area Port of Jacksonville. Through his efforts, Officer Fort has been responsible for arrests and convictions at both the Federal and State levels. Most recently, one of Officer Fort’s arrest resulted in a Federal Prison sentence of twenty-five (25) years as the subject was engaging in Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM).
Officer Fort has been hand selected to serve as a Task Force Officer for the Jacksonville Strategic Analysis and Response (JSTAR) Team. Although one of the newest members of JSTAR, Officer Fort is an integral part of the intelligence framework and mission for the Area Port of Jacksonville. In this role, he is responsible for identifying trends in the smuggling of contraband and interdicting other illegal activities through targeting vessels, aircraft, crewmembers, passengers, and cargo arriving from high-risk countries. Officer Fort works professionally alongside DHS partners and other Law Enforcement Agencies and participates in interagency joint operations with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other State and Local Law Enforcement agencies. In these efforts, Officer Fort conducts searches and field interviews to target and disrupt narcotics, currency, and human smuggling within the US, all while enforcing active state and local warrants with other law enforcement officials.
Officer Fort is the newest Less Lethal Instructor for the Area Port of Jacksonville, where he ensures that officers are trained in less lethal tool, tactics, and techniques according to agency policy and prepares them for real world situations through practical scenarios.
Officer Fort is married to his wife, Christina Fort, who is also a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer, and they have two young boys, Elijah (5) and Isaiah (2).
Chief Petty Officer Christine E. Martin is currently a Contracting Officer for District 7 at Sector Jacksonville, expertly maintaining $1.6 million in Service Purchases for two Bases, four Sectors, three Air Stations, and 15 sub-units. Her role at Sector Jacksonville, includes supervising five junior enlisted members, ICS response, GV Manager, Shipping & Receiving Supervisor, and unofficially, the Director of Getting Things Done!
CPO Martin grew up an Air Force Brat, traveling the country with her parents and brother. Her father was a B-52 pilot and retired out of Eglin Air Force Base in the western panhandle of Florida. He then studied law at Florida State University and moved the family to Rockland County, NY to pursue a career as a lawyer in Times Square. CPO Martin’s upbringing with a family full of military men, encouraged her to become the first female in the family to enlist.
CPO Martin enlisted in the Coast Guard on her father’s birthday, November 17, 2009, out of Montgomery, AL. CPO Martin’s previous assignments include CGC Beluga, Gulf Strike Team, Base National Capital Region, Air Station Miami, Air Station Clearwater, Sector Jacksonville and PCSing to ATC Mobile in Summer 2025.
CPO Martin’s awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, three Letter of Commendation Ribbons, five Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, and various other unit and personal awards.
CPO Martin holds a Master’s Degree in Acquisition and Contract Management and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management. In addition to earning certifications as a FAC-C Professional and FAC-COR Level II, she is advancing her professional knowledge base by pursuing her certification as a Certified Federal Contract Manager through the National Contract Management Association.
CPO is a proud single mother to her beautiful, little broke best friend, Cataleya. Her daughter will be turning 8 years old during their transfer to Mobile, AL. They thoroughly enjoy life together by exploring the cities they live in, traveling, going to church, and spending time with friends and family. Cataleya has been CPO Martin’s biggest inspiration to grow into a leader, excel in her education and career, and her grow in her relationship with God.
Guest Speaker
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Stephen Burdian joined JAXPORT as Director of Public
Safety and Security in October 2024. Burdian directs all physical security, safety, and
emergency management and preparedness services in support of tens of thousands of port
workers, tenants, customers, and guests. He is also responsible for ensuring the enforcement of
seaport security initiatives in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
In his role, Burdian serves as a liaison with JAXPORT’s tenants, as well as local, state, federal
and international partners to ensure the safe and secure movement of the more than 10 million
tons of cargo and hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers who move through JAXPORT
annually. He also supports local emergency response efforts by serving as JAXPORT’s
Emergency Preparedness Officer in concert with the City of Jacksonville and state and federal
emergency operations entities.
Before joining JAXPORT, Burdian served in the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly 30 years, most
recently as Chief of Response for the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, which includes all of the
Southeast U.S. and the Caribbean Basin, including Florida and Puerto Rico.
During his career, he served as Commanding Officer of three Coast Guard cutters, the USCGC
MELLON, USCGC VALIANT, and USCGC PADRE. He also served as a Branch Chief within
the Coast Guard’s HR division, overseeing enlisted personnel assignments for more than 10,000
Coast Guard personnel annually and helping shape Coast Guard policy on personnel retention
and all issues impacting the workforce. Additionally, he oversaw response and recovery
operations after Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and management of the salvage operations
following the Golden Ray incident in St. Simons Sound.
Burdian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the
United States Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Science degree in Information Technology
Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
He is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, and four Meritorious Service Medals with the operational
distinguishing device. He also holds a permanent Cutterman designation and was appointed an
Honorary Chief Petty Officer in May 2019.
Steve is the proud father of three sons, Jack, Sean, and James.
Tickets are selling fast—reserve yours now!
Don't miss this opportunity to show your support, connect with industry professionals, and enjoy an unforgettable evening!