John Whiddon, Chairman of the Board 

John grew up in England and emigrated to the United States.  After graduation from San Diego State University, he attended Coast Guard OCS and was commissioned as an Ensign and was then assigned to Navy Flight School in Pensacola.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1975 and flew HH3F helicopters in New Orleans, Kodiak, Astoria, Oregon, and Sitka.  After a Headquarters tour, he returned to CG Air Station Kodiak as Head of Aircraft Maintenance and flew both the HH-3F and HH-60J.

During his career, he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The first was for his involvement in the rescue of 522 passengers from a burning cruise ship in the Gulf of Alaska. The second was for a night rescue in 70 knot winds with 30 foot seas that involved the first high seas rescue swimmer deployment in the Coast Guard.

After retirement, John and his family remained in Kodiak where they owned and operated a seafood processing business and later managed several other businesses.  He has been involved in community organizations and served for 16 years as a City Councilmember and Deputy Mayor.

John and his wife Lauri live in Kodiak and have three sons and seven grandchildren.