patti Mcfetridge, director

Captain “Patti Mac” graduated from San Jose State University in 1981 with a degree in Aeronautical Operations. She began her flying career in Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Training program.

In 1989, she joined the U. S. Coast Guard as a Direct Commission Aviator. At Kodiak, Alaska she primarily flew search and rescue (SAR) missions. Assignments include Clearwater, Florida flying in support of drug/migrant interdiction operations throughout the
Caribbean; Los Angeles, California flying in support of SAR and law enforcement (LE); Elizabeth City, North Carolina as a duty standing pilot and the Assistant EO, flying the HC-130H airplane in support of SAR, LE, and drug interdiction missions throughout the Caribbean and South America, and the International Ice Patrol mission; Borinquen, Puerto Rico as a qualified pilot, EO, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer flying the MH-65B/C/D in support of SAR, LE, and drug/migrant interdiction missions.

In Washington, DC. She was the Chief of Logistics and Engineering for the Deployable Operations Group, responsible for 27 Deployable Specialized Forces in support of significant national security & oil spill events; Project Manager for the $1 Billion Rescue 21 installation to replace the aging legacy National Distress System throughout the U. S. and its territories. She currently serves as the Coast Guard’s liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration.

She is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Army & Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Achievement Medals, inter alia. She pursued a Master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned her Master’s in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School.