Donnie Brown

Experience

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  Miami

  May 2007 - May 2008

  Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA), Southern District of Florida

  Prosecuted alien smuggling and related maritime migration criminal cases in Federal District Court resulting from Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security enforcement operations; filed all charges, handled all trial matters from arrest or indictment through sentencing. Grand jury presentations, material witness depositions, plea negotiations, and federal jury trials. Co-chaired the regional alien smuggling task force to promote interagency cooperation, coordination, and enforcement with investigators and prosecutors. Show less

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  Washington, DC

  May 2008 - May 2010

  Special Assistant - Commandant's Staff - U.S. Coast Guard

  Speechwriter and press assistant for agency's Chief Operating Officer. Crafted messaging for internal and external audiences, written correspondence, and social media engagement. Developed coordinated themes and messaging to advance agency strategic intent, promote Service-wide initiatives, unify senior leadership, and inspire Service members.

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  National Incident Commander Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response

  Jun 2010 - Jun 2010

  Legal Advisor

  Provided legal counsel to senior-most incident response leaders and the Federal On-Scene Coordinator regarding authority, responsibility, and potential liability in federal engagements with interagency partners, states, foreign nations and industry.

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  NORAD and USNORTHCOM

  Jun 2010 - Jun 2012

  Attorney, Maritime Law Enforcement and Defense Support of Civil Authorities

  Provided legal advice on homeland defense and security, defense support to law enforcement, and support to civil authorities for disaster response. Reviewed and shaped plans and proposals based on legal authorities, DoD policy, and national-level directives. Liaised with Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, and FEMA counsel.

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  US Coast Guard Headquarters

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2014

  Chief, Operations Law

  Leads a practice group of six attorneys providing agency‐wide legal counsel in eleven Congressionally‐mandated missions including counter‐drug & migration interdiction, fisheries enforcement, defense ops, maritime safety & security. Delivers continuous, real‐time legal advice to senior officials & federal interagency leaders on transnational maritime threats to coordinate national‐level consensus and disposition. Ensures agency’s $3+ billion law enforcement, security & defense programs comply with laws, regs, & policy. Develops, negotiates & implements agency policy, legislation, & bilateral agreements with partner nations to support agency's strategic objectives. Show less

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  CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)

  Jan 2017 - now

  Develops and coordinates global industry positions on environmental, health and medical issues and represents those positions to international, federal and state regulatory bodies. Manages significant roles in committees where the cruise industry’s environmental and health policies are developed including air emissions, waste disposal and discharges, and vessel sanitation and medical programs. Leads industry-wide sustainability and energy efficiency coordination efforts. Develops, presents, negotiates and implements global industry positions on legislative, regulatory and policy matters focused on security, environmental stewardship, public health, medical facilities, disabled access and other matters impacting the global cruise industry. Leads industry delegations to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and represents the global cruise industry during international treaty negotiations and other matters.

  • Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Environmental and Health

    Sept 2014 - now

  • Vice President, Maritime Policy

    Jan 2017 - Dec 2023
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  Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

  Dec 2023 - now

  Senior Vice President, Maritime Policy