US Coast Guard Station Point Judith was the scene of a Coast Guard change-of-command ceremony Friday, July 29th.

Commander George Hall assumed the duties and responsibilities as Commanding Officer of the Civil Engineering Unit (CEU) Providence from Commander Eric Para.

The unit is based in Warwick.

Captain John Berry, Commander of the Coast Guard’s Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center (SILC), presided over the ceremony attended by more than 100 key personnel and family members.

Para, who served as the CEU Commanding Officer for the past 3 years, will continue his Coast Guard Career in Norfolk, Virginia. Para will be assigned to the Office of Contingency and Deployable Logistics.

Para, who has served more than 20 years in the Coast Guard, addressed the crowd in closing, “Command is an honor and I am humbled and honored for this very special and unique opportunity… Part of that honor for me today is knowing George will take command of this outstanding crew. I know your leadership and attitude will take this unit to new heights.”

Hall reports to CEU Providence from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C where he attended the Defense Acquisition University earning a Master of Science degree in National Security Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School and a Senior Acquisition Concentration diploma. Commander Hall moved to Providence, Rhode Island this past week with his wife, Megan.

Hall graduated from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2005, earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University in 2012, and a Masters in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2019. He has served as an Engineer aboard Coast Guard Cutter MORGENTHAU in Alameda, California; Supervisor of the Maintenance Augmentation Team Bangor, Washington; Facility Asset Manager at Civil Engineering Unit Miami, Florida; Logistics Officer at Sector Field Office Port Angeles, Washington; Industry Liaison with USCG Congressional Affairs; and Special Projects Officer for the Commandant.

CEU Providence provides engineering services to the geographical area of the First Coast Guard District extending from Maine to New Jersey. This includes 5 Sectors, 2 Bases, 36 Cutters, 30 Small Boat Stations, one Air Station and 6 Aids to Navigation Teams. Staffed by 65 employees, CEU Providence administers the Shore Maintenance Program for 5.8 million square feet of facilities valued at over $2.5 billion.

Hall, as the new Commanding Officer of CEU Providence, closed out the ceremony, “I’ve been thoroughly impressed. I am beyond excited be back with this community, this program, and, especially, to be a part of CEU Providence. Thank you all, and congratulations.”