Senior military leader, attorney, and policymaker experienced working with the public and private sector to deliver extraordinary results and achieve optimum organizational cultures.

Chief of Staff @ Lead a 10,000 person service organization including a diverse workforce of military and civilian employees, active duty and volunteers. Plan and allocate an $80 million budget. Run day-to-day multi-dimensional operations with 10 reporting units (ships and bases) and 200 staff members. Liaison to 15 partner state/local/federal agencies to assure a whole-of-government approach to problem solving. From June 2014 to Present (1 year 7 months) Miami/Fort Lauderdale AreaCaptain @ Experience as a Shipdriver, Captain of the Port, Judge Advocate and Speechwriter From 1987 to Present (28 years) Chief of Maritime and International Law Office, U.S. Coast Guard @ Principal Legal Advisor on maritime operational, environmental, and international issues: pollution response, international port and vessel safety and security codes, piracy, narcotics and human smuggling, intelligence collection, and environmental law. Led U.S. delegation to International Maritime Organization (of United Nations) Legal Committee; served on maritime law delegations to the PRC, Vietnam, Mexico, Central America, and West African nations. From June 2012 to May 2014 (2 years) Washington D.C. Metro AreaFellow @ Visiting Fellow in Rockefeller Studies Program - emphasis on Maritime and International Law, Law of the Sea, Arctic Safety, Security and Stewardship, Shipping Safety, Piracy. From August 2011 to June 2012 (11 months) Adjunct Professor @ Taught classes in Justice From 2007 to 2008 (1 year)

National Security @ Harvard Kennedy School of Government From 2009 to 2010 JD, Maritime and International law, criminal litigation @ The George Washington University Law School From 1991 to 1994 Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Government @ US Coast Guard Academy From 1983 to 1987 Military Strategic Studies, General @ Naval War College Melissa Bert is skilled in: Training, Performance Measurement, Legal Research, International Law, Government, National Security, Counterterrorism, Defense, Military, Higher Education, Homeland Security, DoD, Negotiation, Security Clearance, Intelligence Analysis