The Robert J. "Bobby" Coppedge Maritime Person of the Year is an award presented to an individual who has made an extraordinary impact to our maritime industry.
This individual has been a steadfast supporter of the club, serves as a Board Member and has been instrumental in our club’s growth. Beyond that he has been and continues to be instrumental in Jacksonville and beyond. He is Commander, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida. He serves as Captain of the Port, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator and Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Ports of Jacksonville, Canaveral and St.
Mary’s/Fernandina, Georgia. He is a designated Cutterman, Judge Advocate and Diving Officer.
He graciously volunteers his time for our club. He also makes himself available to other clubs for speaking engagements. His leadership over the past few years in the development of LNG for the maritime, Cruise and Space industries is groundbreaking. For these reasons, the Propeller Club of Jacksonville is honored to award the Robert J. “Bobby” Coppedge, Maritime Person of the Year to Capt. Mark Vlaun.
About Capt. Vlaun
Captain Mark R. Vlaun is Commander, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida. He serves as Captain of the Port, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator and Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Ports of Jacksonville, Canaveral and St. Mary’s/Fernandina, Georgia. He is a designated Cutterman, Judge Advocate and Diving Officer.
At sea, Captain Vlaun served as Commanding Officer of USCGC FIR (WLB 213) patrolling the waters of the Pacific Northwest, including the hazardous river bars along the Washington and Oregon coasts. Captain Vlaun previously served as Executive Officer in CGC MAPLE and CGC WOODRUSH, as Diving Officer in CGC POLAR SEA and as Operations Officer in CGC RED OAK. While in POLAR SEA he led a dive team conducting operations in both Polar Regions.
Ashore, Captain Vlaun recently served as Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector Miami. He has previously served in a variety of legal assignments to include: Staff Judge Advocate for the Seventh Coast Guard District and Senior Legal Advisor to Homeland Security Task Force Southeast in Miami, Florida; Chief, Maritime Law at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Staff Attorney, Office of Maritime and International Law at Coast Guard Headquarters; Deputy Chief, Office of Environmental Law; and, Trial Counsel/Prosecutor, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Captain Vlaun has served in two special assignments: Special Assistant and Speechwriter to the 25th Commandant, Admiral Paul Zukunft; and, as Military Aide to Rear Admiral Paul Blayney, Commander 13th District, Seattle, Washington.
