Marshall B Lytle

As the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, Lytle was responsible for all aspects of life-cycle management for Coast Guard assets, from acquisition to decommissioning. Such assets include ships, aircraft, buildings, and information technology. In addition to the physical assets, the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support is charged with managing the Coast Guard’s military and civilian workforce including accessions, training, development, evaluations, promotions, and even retirement.

As the Coast Guard’s chief information officer and assistant commandant for C4IT, Lytle is responsible for the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of Coast Guard C4IT systems. In the related role as Commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command, Lytle is responsible for the protection of Coast Guard networks as well as securing ports and waterways from cyber threats.

As a large enterprise, the Coast Guard may require some of the same aspects of leadership and management as corporate entities of comparable size. The Coast Guard’s large size combined with its unique status as a military, multi-mission organization requires innovative and impactful leaders; Lytle has provided such invaluable leadership.

Lytle has taken great strides in improving Coast Guard cyber security. He has drafted comprehensive Coast Guard cyber strategy, prioritized cyber security as his first strategic goal as the CIO, implemented new programs that improve the Coast Guard’s security posture, and improved the organization’s ability to securely share information with mission partners. These actions enable the unimpeded execution of operational missions that guard the nation and ensure public safety.

Through the deployment of new systems and the upgrade of existing command, control, and communication systems, Lytle improved system reliability and reduced support costs while enhancing safety and operational flexibility. The impact of these actions extends far beyond the Coast Guard itself. The improved security of the nation’s maritime ports is essential, given that 95 percent of America’s foreign trade is transported through maritime shipping.

Lytle has made significant contributions to management education. Not only does he serve as a member on the Coast Guard Academy’s board of trustees, but he is also an actively engaged member of the management advisory committee. As a member of that body, Lytle serves to educate the management department and the academy as a whole on contemporary management and business practices, resulting in a management curriculum that is both theoretically grounded and meaningfully relevant to the field.

Lytle’s leadership and accomplishments are positively impacting the Coast Guard now and will support Coast Guard operations in the future. His leadership and actions directly contribute to the improved safety and security of the nation.