Commodore Steven M. Budar was elected the National Vice Commodore of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on 3 September 2004 and will assume his duties on 1 November 2004.

Commodore Budar is a 1974 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Business in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received professional designations as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1984 and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) in 1986 from the American College in Bryn Marr, Pennsylvania.

The Commodore has spent over 33 years in the insurance and financial services industry in California and Hawaii. He is currently President and CEO of The Dragon Group Inc. a financial services consulting company and principal of The Budar Agency, an insurance agency in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

Commodore Budar began his Coast Guard Auxiliary career in 1985 and has served in every elected position in the Auxiliary through National Vice Commodore-Pacific Area. In addition, he has held numerous appointed positions on Flotilla, District and National Staffs. Most recently Steve Budar served as the Director of Development for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Inc., the non profit entity providing financial support to the 36.000 civilian volunteers of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Commodore is qualified as a coxswain, aircrew and instructor.

Commodore Budar and wife Mary Kay are members of Flotilla 3-13 in the 14th District. They reside in Kailua Kona, Hawaii and have three children: Jessica, 24, Sophea 23 and George 19.