Mr. Spivak joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary after spending seven years in the United States Power Squadrons (USPS). A primary catalyst for his joining were the events of September 11th, and the actions of the Coast Guard, and the Auxiliary compared with those of the Power Squadrons.

Historically, especially in the area in which Mr. Spivak lives, the Power Squadrons and the Auxiliary had not only a rivalry (mostly for boating class dollars), but a dislike and distrust of each other. To that end, Mr. Spivak has become somewhat of a bridge between the organizations on the local level, suggesting, and then promoting the links that bind the two organizations, as opposed to those that fracture the relationship.

Key to this program has been a presentation (and appearance at the USPS District Change of Watch 2003-2008) made by the Director of Auxiliary to the outgoing District Commander of the USPS Third District, which covers all of Long Island.

Public Service and Emergency Service: His thirty (30) plus year involvement in emergency services and public service began after spending his formulative years in the Boy Scouts of America program - from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and finally Exploring (now called Venturers), leaving the program in his Junior year of High School.

In 1975, he became involved with the Consumer Watchdog Committee, Inc., a not-for-profit group that compared local prices on consumer essentials. His role was the Coordinator of Volunteers.

His direct entry into public service as an adult began in the late 70's, when he joined his local Volunteer Ambulance Corps (VAC). During this period, Mr. Spivak became a NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-A).

The involvement in the VAC led him to join New York City's Emergency Medical Service (since merged with the New York City Fire Department). While serving in NYC-EMS, he became a member of the elite Technical Services Division, which provided technical support at Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCI's) as well as Special Events. See picture of Spivak in NYC Daily News in 1982.

Mr. Spivak held his certification as a NYS Emergency Medical Technician for approximately 15 years, even after he received on-the-job injuries. He was one of the many first responders who went to the February 26th, 1993 World Trade Center Bombing (the first bombing), where he assisted NYC-EMS at their Mobile Emergency Room Van (MERV) [see present day FDNY MERV], treating smoke inhalation victims, along with those who suffered cuts, lacerations and abrasions during the tumultuous exit from the building after the bombing. The MERV was stationed opposite the World Trade Center's North Tower entrance.

To this day, he is still has personal and business relationships with several NYC-EMS members. Some of these individuals stayed in EMS even after their merger with the NYFD, others left to purse law enforcement, and/or emergency management careers. Several now own or are executives of national and internationally renown emergency services consulting firms. Mr. Spivak provides Information Technology consulting services to three Homeland Security and Emergency Consulting firms: Strategic Emergency Group and The Hauer Group and Critical Incident Management and Training, Inc (CIMAT).

Mr. Spivak joined (2008-2010) the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which is the United States Air Force Auxiliary, as a member of the National Patron Squadron. CAP is the only similar organization that can be compared to the Auxiliary.

The United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary: Mr. Spivak holds many roles that shift between working for and part of the Auxiliary and as an augmenter for the Coast Guard. As a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Auxiliarist Spivak, has qualified as an Instructor, as well as Vessel Safety Examiner, Marine Dealer Visitor and Aid to Navigation Verifier. He has served as a Flotilla and Division Staff Officer for the Marine Visitor Program, as well as a Flotilla and Division Staff Officer (and Assistant District Staff Officer) for Computer Services, whose duties include being the unit Webmaster. He is a frequent lecturer at both Auxiliary District and National Conferences. He has also lectured at the Caribbean Search and Rescue (CSAR) Conference in 2004.

His operational involvement in Auxiliary activities is limited due to injuries sustained whiled working for NYC-EMS, but he does own and operate two Coast Guard Auxiliary Radio Facilities (land and land-mobile) (he left the Comms program in 2008) and is a Aid to Navigation Verifier (ATON), which is considered an operational position. A member of the AUXMON radio group, which monitors public marine weather and emergency frequencies, he is the recipient of a Meritorious Team Commendation for his work.

On a National level, he was a long-standing member of the National Press Corps and is the former Chief of the External Communications Division (National Press Spokesperson) of the Auxiliary Public Affairs Department. In 2009, he is a Branch Chief with the Public Affairs Department in the role as an advisor. He was formerly a Branch Chief in the National Training Department.

Mr. Spivak is on the staff at the Office of the Auxiliary, CG-5421, United States Coast Guard. The Office of the Auxiliary, also known as the Chief Director's Office is the Commandant's Program Manager whom oversees the Auxiliary program. Mr. Spivak is has assisted CG-631, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, 508 Compliance Section with ensuring that Auxiliary web sites that are linked to www.uscg.mil are in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. ‘ 794d).

At CG-5421, Mr. Spivak created (with a team) the first Chief Director Web Site. Now in its third generation, Mr. Spivak has added the Auxiliary KnowledgeBase (AuxKB) to the suite of IT services offered by the Chief Director's Office (he was awarded a Meritorious Service Award (second highest award in the Auxiliary at that time) for his work on this ground-breaking IT product). Included in the suite is also the CHDIRAUX-L mailing list, providing updates to the program and policy to the 30,000 or so members of the USCG Auxiliary.

Recently he has been developing a Best Practices web based on Wikimedia. This site is currently under consideration for production.

In addition, he has been part of the staff of the International Search and Rescue Competition (ISAR) since 2003, the CSAR Conferences and also has assisted the National Conference (NACON) Conference committee, since 2002.

In other roles, he has served as the Division Chief, Communications for the International Affairs Directorate, the Webmaster for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. (CGAuxA, Inc.), and part of the development team for the Operation Patriot Readiness web site and America's Waterway Watch (a major Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness {MDA} program). He was also the Webmaster for the International Affairs and Interpreter Support Directorate, as it has been renamed. In 2009, he returns to his role as Chief, Communications for International Affairs.

He served as a member of the staff of the Commander Coast Guard D7 Office of the Director (CCGD7dpa) and is currently a staff member at the Commander Coast Guard D1 Office of the Director, Southern Region (CCGD1dpaSR). He was also the primary designer, programmer and trainer behind the First Coast Guard District's AUXPAL project. The AUXPAL was built to match Auxiliarist's with Coast Guard augmentation requirements. This project and concept failed to catch on, and was terminated. In late 2009 interest again turned towards this project (status currently unknown).

During the January 2010 Haitian Earthquake Search & Rescue operation conducted by the Coast Guard and other US Agencies, Mr. Spivak provided multiple Press Releases to the public under both his roles; in International Affairs and Public Affairs; of how the Auxiliary was either directly or indirectly attributing to the rescue operation.

In 2009, he was asked to be the Division Chief for Research and Development in the Information Technology Department. After revamping the Division and most of the Department, he left the position in capable hands.

In 2001, Auxiliarist Spivak placed second in the United States Coast Guard JOC Alex Haley Award of Excellence in Journalism contest, for his contributions to the Public Affairs mission for the Coast Guard. The number of people who have read the articles contained on this website is inestimable. Article distribution included a mailing to over 5,000 members of the media, both industry and general. From statistics generated by this web site, it is estimated as of May 2009, over 300,000 articles have been read. This does not count occurrences of re-publication in print media or on other websites. It is estimated that over 300 media outlets have used the articles contained on this website.

A constant contributor from 2002 - 2008 to Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety's Waypoints, as well as a frequent contributor to the American Boating Association's website as well as their publication Beacon, Mr. Spivak's articles also have appeared regularly in The Power of Multihulls magazine, as well as Multihulls and South Florida Fishing magazine. His articles have also appeared in such diverse publications as SWAviator, the American Sailing Association, Boating Life Magazine, Coast Guard Magazine, Duck Works Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and Military.Com to name just a few. A more complete list (but far from accurate) can be found here.

Mr. Spivak is also the Chief Instructor and Program Manager of the Director of Auxiliary, First Southern Region's Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement (SBCLLE). This course has been held six (6) times for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (the 25th largest police force in the US). In the intervening time, he provides hands' on instruction by conducting ride-a longs in the PAPD vessels. The Spring 2009 (Class VI) concluded 26 June 09. To date, approximately 180 Police Officers have gone thru this two-week intensive classroom and on-the-water, hands-on course.

Officers who were trained by the SBCLLE responded to the US Air 1549 emergency landing in the Hudson River January 15, 2009. See recent article in the USCG Auxiliary magazine "Navigator" (Spring 2009). Class VII is currently being planned.

As a Consultant for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, Mr. Spivak was part of the team which participated in the emergency drills which certified the AirTrain system for operation.

In addition, he was the Program Manager and Designer of two programs, Emergency Operation Center Liaison Officers (EOC-LO), and , Auxiliary Alert Response Team (AART), which weren't implemented.

Awards

Mr. Spivak is the recipient of the two (2) Meritorious Service Award for "exceptional meritorious service",two (2) Auxiliary Commendation Awards, four (4) Auxiliary Achievement Awards (one with an "O" for Operations) "for sustain profession and/or leadership achievements", four (4) Auxiliary Commandant Letter Of Commendation Awards "for exceptional meritorious service" and twenty (20) Coast Guard Meritorious Team Awards for "significant contributions to a group or team", the Presidential Unit Citation (given to the Coast Guard by President G.W. Bush for "service rendered during Hurricane Katrina and Rita"), as well a the Auxiliary Humanitarian Award (in Mr. Spivak's opinion, his most esteemed recognition he has received to date) and two (2) Coast Guard Unit Commendation's.

Qualifications

In addition to these awards, he has earned the Vessel Safety Check/Marine Dealer Service qualification, the Operations Program Ribbon (ATON Verifier) , the Auxiliary Membership Ribbon for five years of service and the Operations Service Award, Education Service Award (two awards) and Vessel Examinations Service Award, ten (10) Sustained Service Awards (each representing 750 hours of volunteer service - he stopped counting and submitting hours after his 3rd year in the Auxiliary). He recently qualified for the new Auxiliary Public Affairs Award, Level III, CG Public Affairs Support Specialist. (more info about awards) .

Mr. Spivak is also qualified as an AUXOP (Auxiliary Operational) member. See Spivak's Ribbon Rack

His emergency management education includes Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100 and 200, and 210 as well as National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Response Plan (NRP),NIMS Multi-Agency Coordination System, NIMS Public Information System, NIMS Resource Management as well as to over 30 other Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study courses.

Mr. Spivak was the recipient of the prestigious 2004 Public Service Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

In response to Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita, Como Ed Sweeney, then Deputy Chief of the Auxiliary Public Affairs Department and Aux. Spivak created the concept of a fund that would assist Auxiliarist's and Coasties who lost their homes, and/or their jobs due to the disaster. This concept became Operation Life Ring.

The national leadership of the Coast Guard Auxiliary under National Commodore Gene Seibert and the CGAuxA, under Executive Director Mary Phillips set-up the fund to aid Auxiliarist's and other members of the Coast Guard Family.

Mr. Spivak is a member of Operation Life Ring web development team, where both his web and writing talents have enabled to some extent the fund to garner support from both the Coast Guard community and the general public. All funds collected by Operation Life Ring have been disbursed to needy Auxiliarist's and Coasties. The Fund has morphed into a general mutual aid fund for Auxiliarist's who find themselves in dire straits.

Beginning in January 2006, Mr, Spivak has taken on new duties as the Director of Media Communications for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. His focus will be promoting the Association to both the industry and associated press on exactly what the Association is, and how by supporting the Association, you are directly supporting the activities of the USCG Auxiliary. The Association provides funding for many of the Auxiliary programs, as well as uniform articles and development and printing of educational material.

Recreational Boating Safety: He is still a member of USPS (where he was for lack of official title, he was the Chief Information Officer 1998-2000) and is also a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS). In addition, he is a consultant with, and the Chief Information Officer for the United Safe Boating Institute and as well as a member of the National Safe Boating Council.

Other recreational boating activities include assisting the Association for Rescue at Sea, Inc. (AFRAS) redesign and maintain their web site, the Foundation for Coast Guard History, Inc. (FCGH), redesign their newsletter and provides technical assistance to a large number of other Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary programs (both officially and unofficially).

He is also currently assisting the Liberty (AGTR5) Division of the Naval Sea Cadets with their public affairs. The Liberty (AGTR5) Division was recently awarded The John J. Bergen Award (2008). This award, presented annually, to the Sea Cadet Unit that earns the highest marks as the result of their Annual Inspection.   Over 300 units nationwide competed for this prestigious award.  Last year, the Liberty (AGTR-5) Division placed second and in 2006, they placed third nationwide.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps are a unit of the US Navy League, where Mr. Spivak is also a member (the showcase photo [above]shows Auxiliarist Spivak in Dinner Dress Blue, was taken before the Navy League's New York Chapter's 100th Gala Dinner).

Mr. Spivak organized and performed Master of Ceremony duties for the PFD Fashion Show, held in Dallas, TX on September 1, 2006. This show will become the nexus for a series of video shows, from 30 minutes down to 30 seconds and will be used by the Auxiliary and Coast Guard (as well as any other venue) to promote Personal Flotation Device (Life Jacket) wear by boaters, especially children.

Professional Life: When not volunteering on Recreational Boating issues, Mr. Spivak is the President of SBA * Consulting LTD, a management, financial and information systems consulting firm, and is also the Chief Financial Officer of dna Model Management currently one of the top modeling management agencies in the world, Frenchw@re (a software company for the modeling business) and Models and Creators of America (a management company); all clients of SBA * Consulting. Other notable clients (have or include) Wilhelmenia Models, Race Models, Marilyn Models, Mutual of New York, and AT&T. Mr. Spivak was the Founding President of the The Greater New York Metropolitan Area Chapter of the Internet Society. He served as President from 1997 - 1999.

In June 2005, Mr. Spivak "retired" from Lehman College, City University of New York where he was a Adjunct member of Economics and Accounting Department for ten years; teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in accounting and accounting information systems.

An accomplished freelance writer, Mr. Spivak has hundreds of published articles on both recreational boating safety, homeland security, leadership, management, customer service, accounting and computer related topics as well as a contribution in WritersNet Anthology, Volume II, an anthology of stories, both fiction and non-fiction published by iUniverse in October 2002. His works have appeared in The CPA Journal, VAR Business, Network World, Law Technology Product News, and On the Internet (copies of many of the articles can be found here). He was a long-time Contributing Editor to ServerPipeline.Com, a CMP Media (his association with CMP started in 1999) on-line e-zine, which has rolled into Network Computing.

Mr. Spivak has been married for twenty-one years and lives in a New York City suburb. He has recently taken up the sport of Golf.

AuxGuidanceSkills.Info is geared to providing "Public Service Articles in the pursuit of Recreational Boating Safety" to that end, we will continue to add to our series on Help Wanted, Homeland Security, Public Education, Public Service, Vessel Safety and Environmental Issues, though the use of 'case studies', as our teaching tool of choice. In addition, our Leadership series offers those within the Coast Guard family, as well as outside, an insight into values that will improve their leadership skills.