After an extensive search spanning more than a year, the NASBLA Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas E. Guess, CRBP, as the new NASBLA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Tom will officially assume his role on March 7, 2025. He will join us in Lexington, Kentucky, the following week (March 11–15) for NASBLA’s spring events, including the State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Workshop, committee meetings, and the Education Seminar.
Tom comes to NASBLA from the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, where he served as the Regulatory Development Manager and oversaw the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee. With 37 years of experience in the recreational boating safety community, he brings extensive leadership and management expertise to this role.
Previously, Tom spent more than 15 years with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, where he held multiple leadership positions, including Boating Division Director, Acting Outreach Director, Legislative & Policy Director, Outreach Deputy Director, and Boating Law Administrator. In these roles, he led large teams, managed various programs and budgets, oversaw Virginia’s RBS grant, and directed the agency’s legislative efforts in collaboration with the Virginia General Assembly.
Tom retired from active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard in 2008 after a distinguished 21-year career. His final assignment was as the Officer in Charge of Coast Guard Station Milford Haven in Mathews County, Virginia. Throughout his Coast Guard career, he conducted law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations and commanded multiple small boat stations. His service included eight years on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, five years in Alaska, and eight years in Virginia.
A dedicated member of NASBLA since 2009, Tom has held various positions within the association, including committee member, chair, and executive board liaison across nearly every NASBLA committee. He served on the Executive Board and as NASBLA President in 2018. A graduate of NASBLA’s inaugural Leadership Academy in 2011, Tom has been an active member and mentor. Additionally, he represented NASBLA on the Angling and Boating Alliance (ABA) during the last reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. He also served as NASBLA’s volunteer Government Affairs Director, representing the organization on legislative and policy initiatives and contributing to the development of NASBLA’s most recent strategic plan.
Tom holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (magna cum laude) from Southwestern College. He earned his Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) credential in 2023.
In his spare time, Tom enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, paddling, home improvement projects, traveling, and spending time with his family. He has been married to Ellen Corl Guess for 34 years, and together they have two children, Emily, 23, and Thomas, 18.
Please join us in welcoming Tom Guess as NASBLA’s new Executive Director and CEO. We look forward to his leadership and vision as we continue advancing recreational boating safety and security nationwide.