Experienced Naval Officer To Head Seaport Security

The Port of Seattle announced today that Gary Buchanan, a veteran naval officer and human resources professional, has been named acting head of Seaport security.

Buchanan has been a Port of Seattle employee since 1999 and is manager of human resources services at Sea-Tac Airport. He combines a career at the Port with very extensive Naval Reserve experience.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Gary's unique, hands-on experience in protecting ports assisting us at this time," said Charles Sheldon, managing director of the Seaport at the Port of Seattle.

Buchanan combines 16 years as human resources professional and manager with 22 years of active and reserve duty in the Navy.

He is currently assigned as Captain of the Naval Coastal Warfare Group, where he is responsible for preparation and evaluation of 28 Naval Reserve Units, consisting of 4,000 personnel. This group provides support to naval force protection operations around the world. During two of the past four years, Gary's reserve unit has been mobilized in support of operations in the U.S., Afghanistan and Iraq.

Buchanan has been commanding officer of Inshore Boat Units 11 and 13. Unit 13 was the first Naval Reserve unit in the U.S. to be mobilized after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.