Paul Pluta

Rear Admiral Paul J. Pluta graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy in 1967 and holds a master's degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan. He commanded the Marine Safety Office in Wilmington, North Carolina (1988–1991) and reached flag rank in 1996, when he became Director of the Office of Intelligence and Security at the Department of Transportation.

He later commanded the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans and served as Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. He retired in July 2003. From 2003 to 2006 he was a senior executive and board member of a Washington DC technology company, and he founded the consulting firm Pluta Maritime LLC.

He was a panellist at Mare Forum in 2001 and at Mare Forum Houston in 2002.