Propeller Club – Port of Jacksonville is partnering with the Navy League of the United States – Mayport, Florida Council to host our annual event honoring the US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Sailor of the Year, and the Customs & Border Protection, Area Port of Jacksonville, Officer of the Year.
Check-In starts at 5:30 pm
The network begins at 6 p.m.
The program/dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Business Attire
The ticket includes dinner/Cash Bar
About the Keynote Speaker and Award Recipients:
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Water’s Full Bio:
In November 2022, the citizens of Jacksonville, Florida elected T.K. Waters as their Sheriff. Before his election, Sheriff Waters served the Jacksonville community for thirty-three years in a decorated law enforcement career marked by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and public service. The son of a career military man, Sheriff Waters and his wife proudly raised their children in Jacksonville. A husband, father, grandfather, and a man of deep faith, Sheriff Waters is guided by his unwavering belief that all Jacksonville’s citizens deserve to thrive and live in peace, safety, and security.
As a young man, Sheriff Waters intended to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve his community in the military. His plans changed when his young cousin was tragically murdered during a robbery. Moved by the trauma he and his family endured as victims of gun violence, Sheriff Waters pivoted his service plans and committed his career to law enforcement in the hope that no family would ever have to suffer as his did.
In his long career at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Waters served as both a police and corrections officer and in a variety of leadership positions throughout the agency. In 2019, Sheriff Waters was appointed as the Chief of Investigations. There, he led critical investigative units that target perpetrators of violent crime, including, the Homicide, Violent Crime, Robbery, Special Assault, and Gang units. Sheriff Waters oversaw the creation of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Violence Reduction Section, a division which leverages innovative law enforcement techniques and cutting-edge technologies to proactively address and prevent violent crime.
Transparency, fostering public trust, and the promotion of a service culture are commitments of Sheriff Waters’s administration. Sheriff Waters will continue to seek out innovative investigative practices and technologies, galvanize partnerships with community stakeholders, and build an agency culture of service and professionalism to effectively investigative and prevent crime. Sheriff Waters appreciates that Jacksonville’s success as a growing city, a hub of business, industry, and culture, depends on the safety and security of its citizens. As such, providing for the peace, safety, and security of all Jacksonville citizens remains his core mission.
CBP Area Port of Jacksonville Officer of the Year: CBPO Steven Peterson’s bio:
CBPO Steven Peterson was born in Germany where his father was stationed while in the U.S. Army. He grew up in Westville, a small rural town in northwest Florida and graduated from Ponce de Leon Highschool. After completing High School, CBPO Peterson attended College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University. CBPO Peterson went on to work for the Florida Department of Corrections for two years before accepting a position with U.S. Customs Service in Savannah, Georgia in May of 2002. CBPO Peterson married his wife Rebecca Peterson in May of 2003 who has been a constant supporter in his career. In 2007, CBPO Peterson transferred to Panama City, Florida to be closer to family. In 2018, CBPO Peterson transferred to Pensacola, Florida where he has been a pivotal factor in ensuring the Agency mission is accomplished. CBPO Peterson’s strong work ethic shows in all his taskings, which he contributes to being raised in a Christian home and working on the family farm.
During CBPO Petersons career, specifically during his time serving in the Panhandle of Florida, he has had significant success in stopping the illicit importation and exportation of goods to and from the United States. CBPO Peterson’s most recent seizures include, counterfeit passports, counterfeit identification documents, marijuana seeds, semi-automatic firearms parts, drug paraphernalia, FDA prohibited medical devices, counterfeit United States Postal Stamps, vehicles with altered identification numbers, heavy equipment destined to other countries, shipments of goods in violation of Intellectual Property Rights, counterfeit electronics, and was a key member of a significant national security discovery.
In addition to CBPO Peterson’s daily duties, he serves as the Firearms Instructor for all Officers assigned in the Panhandle of Florida and is a certified EMT.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Sailor of the Year: MST1 Stephen Hewlett
MST1 Stephen Hewlett was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and spent his formative years there until graduating from Fairfield High School. From a young age, he harbored a strong desire to serve his country, though the specific path remained uncertain. Following high school, he faced the pivotal decision of either joining the military or pursuing higher education. Opting for the latter, Stephen attended Miami University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health. However, his passion for service persisted, leading him to enlist in the United States Coast Guard after graduation.
In November 2013, Stephen embarked on his Coast Guard journey, undergoing rigorous training at Cape May, New Jersey, while leaving behind his girlfriend, Jill. Their commitment deepened, culminating in marriage as Stephen transitioned to his new assignment aboard the CGC CHIPPEWA in Buchanan, Tennessee. Over two years onboard, he acquired essential qualifications, including Bouy Deck Supervisor, Boat Crew, and Tower Climber. It was during this period that Stephen discovered his calling within the Coast Guard, opting to specialize as a Marine Science Technician (MST).
Following his decision, Stephen embarked on further training, advancing to Petty Officer Third Class at Yorktown, Virginia. With his wife Jill by his side, he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he spent the next five years stationed at Sector Jacksonville. Throughout this tenure, Stephen excelled in various roles across the Maritime Safety and Security spectrum, from Facilities and Port State Control to Incident Management. Amidst his professional growth, Stephen and Jill welcomed their two sons, Isaac and Greyson, and expanded their family with the addition of their beloved dog, Apollo. By the end of his tour, Stephen had earned nine MST qualifications and risen to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
Stephen's career trajectory continued to ascend, leading to a transfer to Huntington, West Virginia, where he served at MSU Huntington. Despite a brief two-year stint, Stephen's exemplary performance merited a promotion to Petty Officer First Class. Concurrently, Jill completed her college education, and their eldest son, Isaac, began his schooling journey. With his newfound rank, Stephen received orders to return to Jacksonville, Florida, where he assumed the role of Lead Petty Officer of the Port State Control Branch and Primary Vessel Targetter for the Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit at Sector Jacksonville.
Throughout his career, MST1 Stephen Hewlett exemplified unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests. His journey is a testament to the Coast Guard's core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.
