Michael S. Kazek, Commander, USCG (Ret.)

Deputy Director, Leadership Development

Deputy Commandant of Cadets

The California Maritime Academy, CSU

Commander Michael S. Kazek is presently the Deputy Director, Leadership Development and Deputy Commandant of Cadets at The California Maritime Academy, a campus of California State University.  He is the Head Coach of the California Maritime Academy Master’s Swimming Club; he is a certified facilitator for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^®; and he is a certified instructor for ServSafe Alcohol^®.  He retired in 2005 from Active Duty as a Commander (O-5) in the U. S. Coast Guard after serving honorably for over 21 years.  While in the Coast Guard, he completed over seven years of sea duty culminating in his assignment as Executive Officer, USCGC BOUTWELL, homeported in Alameda, CA.  He also served as Chief Engineer, USCGC SENECA, homeported in Boston, MA.  When not at sea, Commander Kazek worked in the naval engineering program, culminating his career as Commanding Officer, Naval Engineering Support Unit, Boston.

Commander Kazek is a 1984 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.  In 1988, he was awarded Master of Science in Engineering Degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. 

Commander Kazek is the recipient of the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device (five awards), one Commandant’s Letter of Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device, and several unit awards.

Commander Kazek is a native of Los Alamos, NM and currently lives in Benicia, CA.  He is married to the former Monyee Smith, CDR, USCG Retired.  They have three daughters; Sheridan (Dani), who is 11 years old, Michaela, who is 14 years old, and Victoria (Tori), who is 15 years old.