Vice Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian reports to U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area following assignment to U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters as the Senior Advisor to the Commandant, responsible for the implementation of several Force Design 2028 strategic initiatives.
Her previous flag assignments include serving as Director, Joint Interagency Task Force South, in Key West, Florida, where she led joint, multinational, and interagency operations to counter illicit trafficking across a 42 million square nautical mile area. Previously, she served as the Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, where she was responsible for developing strategic doctrine and policy guidance for Coast Guard forces across eight statutory missions.
Vice Admiral Burdian is a Coast Guard Permanent Cutterman and Honorary Chief whose previous operational assignments include Commander, Sector Miami in Miami Beach, Florida; Chief of Response, Sector Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington; Command Center Chief, Sector Miami in Miami Beach, FL; Commanding Officer, USCGC Key Biscayne in St. Petersburg, Florida; and Executive Officer, USCGC Attu in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She began her career as First Lieutenant, onboard the USCGC Courageous, in Panama City, Florida. Her staff assignments include special assignment as a Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC where she managed the Coast Guard’s Congressional engagements, advised service leadership, and advocated for multi-billion-dollar acquisition programs and legislation; and, a Senior Duty Officer in the White House Situation Room providing support to the President, National Security Council, and other senior government officials.
Vice Admiral Burdian utilized the Coast Guard Temporary Separation program to care for her sons while continuing to serve as a Selected Reserve Officer at Sector St. Petersburg, Florida.
Originally from Queens, New York, Vice Admiral Burdian is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Government. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University. Vice Admiral Burdian has earned numerous personal, unit, campaign, and service awards.