Mr. Jim Knight assumed duties as the Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer and Director of Domain & Integration Services on July 1, 2025, with the establishment of the Deputy Commandant for Systems (DCS) organization. In this position, he will be responsible for supporting the Chief Acquisition Officer in executing the Coast Guard’s portfolio of major and non-major acquisition programs and in directing mission support functions that provide critical support across the lifecycle management activities carried out by the five DCS domains: Surface, Air, C5I, Shore, and Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS).
Previously, he served as the Deputy Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and Director of Acquisition Services. In this capacity, Mr. Knight was responsible for executive level program management, resource oversight, and strategic planning for the Coast Guard’s domestic and international acquisitions. He served as the principal advisor to the Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and senior Coast Guard leadership on long-range strategic acquisition issues and managed the Acquisition Career Development and Certification Program.
Prior to his appointment in the Senior Executive Service, Mr. Knight served as a Coast Guard officer for 30 years, including most recently as the Assistant Program Executive Officer for Surface Acquisition. In that capacity, he oversaw multimillion dollar efforts to recapitalize the service’s surface assets, including the National Security Cutter, Offshore Patrol Cutter, Fast Response Cutter, Response Boat-Medium, Response Boat-Small, Polar Icebreaker, and In Service Vessel Sustainment Programs.
Mr. Knight has extensive experience as an acquisition leader within the Coast Guard, including prior military positions as the Commanding Officer of Project Resident Office (PRO) Gulf Coast, providing management oversight for the construction phase of the National Security Cutter (NSC) Project, Commanding Officer of PRO Marinette, Great Lakes Icebreaker Project Division Chief and Technical Manager for the Seagoing Buoy Tender Replacement Program. During his time in active duty service, he also served on board Cutters CONFIDENCE, ACTIVE, BOUTWELL, MELLON, and STORIS.
Mr. Knight graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1986. He holds a Master’s of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a certified level III acquisition professional.