Commodore Dan F. Neiderhiser was elected National Area Commodore-Pacific on 3 September 2004 from the position of District Thirteen Commodore, 2003 and 2004. He will assume his duties on November 1, 2004.

Commodore Neiderhiser graduated from Wilmington College, Wilmington, Delaware, in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He holds Associate of Arts degrees in Law Enforcement and Personnel Management. During his military and law enforcement careers, he’s attended two police academies. One with the South Dakota State Police Law Enforcement Training Commission, and the other with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for Reserve Law Enforcement Officers. While in South Dakota he served as a Chief of Police, and is currently a Reserve Deputy with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department in Washington State. Additionally, he served 21 years in the USAF.

Commodore Neiderhiser is currently employed with Fluor Hanford, Inc., a prime contractor to the Department of Energy at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington. As a non-attorney, he specializes in Labor and Employment law and Litigation Management for the sites’ law office.

Since joining the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1991, he served in elected positions through District Commodore, as well as staff positions within those levels. He holds qualifications as Coxswain, Operations, Public Education, Member Training, ATON verification, and previously as a vessel examiner. Commodore Neiderhiser is a member of Flotilla 85, Thirteenth District.

Commodore Neiderhiser is a native of Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Kathy. They have two children, Jamie, and Jason.