Wes James joined the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement as Chief of Staff on August 14, 2023. As Chief of Staff, Mr. James serves the Office of the BSEE Director in promoting safety, protecting the environment, and conserving resources through the regulatory oversight and enforcement of energy operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Mr. James serves as a key leader and facilitator for the Director’s priorities in ensuring all critical bureau mission areas, priorities, and functions align with the Department of Interior and Administration’s goals.
Mr. James was recently with the United States Coast Guard where he retired after more than 22 years of active-duty service at the rank of Commander. While at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Mr. James served in several positions; including Chief of Arctic & International Coordination for the Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy. In this role, Mr. James led Coast Guard efforts for emergency prevention, preparedness, and response policy and international contingency plan coordination. Mr. James also served as the U.S. Head of Delegation to the Arctic Council’s working group on Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (EPPR) ultimately shaping international policy on mutual assistance, preparedness for natural disasters, marine environmental response, and maritime search & rescue. In addition, Mr. James served on the National Response Team, represented the Coast Guard before the International Maritime Organization, oversaw Coast Guard capacity building efforts in assisting other nations around the world, served as the Chair of the Technical Program for the International Oil Spill Conference, and led the development of the Coast Guard’s Polar Enterprise and Arctic Strategy.
Additional assignments included oversight of the National Response Center, Chief of the Industry Preparedness and Incident Coordination Division, Program Manager for the Coast Guard’s Vessel and Facility Response Plans, Prevention Department Head for the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Huntington, West Virginia, Chief of the Pollution Prevention and Investigations Branch for Marine Safety Office Hampton Roads, Virginia, Enforcement Team Lead for the Office of Investigations and Analysis at Coast Guard Headquarters, and served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence stationed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Mr. James received his commission from Officer Candidate School at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Mr. James earned his Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Marshall University.