Donna L. Cottrell

From 2014 to 2016, Cottrell served as Coast Guard District 13 Chief of Staff. She directed Coast Guard field and staff activities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana in support of the District Commander's strategy and outlook.

In 2011 she assumed command of Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) a famed anti-smuggling unit of the Coast Guard that supports Deployable Operations Group which provides helicopters and expertly trained aircrews and precision marksmen to disable Go-fast drug boats.

Cottrell grew up in Wellington, Ohio, she would go on to attending Ohio University graduating with a bachelor's degree in Education in 1982. Cottrell joined the Coast Guard in 1983 after working as a substitute teacher in Wellington for one year. Cottrell would receive her commission from Officer Candidate School in 1987. She completed naval flight training at Whiting Field in 1991. Cottrell would later receive her Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997. In 2004, she would receive another Master of Science degree from Air Force Institute of Technology studying Information Resource Management. From the U.S. Naval War College in 2011 she obtained a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.