Vice Admiral Shkor assumed command of Coast Guard Atlantic Area on September 3, 1999. He is the operational commander for all Coast Guard activities in an area of responsibility spanning five Coast Guard Districts, over 14 million square miles, involving 26,000 military and civilian employees, and 27,854 auxiliarists. He serves concurrently as Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, and Commander U.S. Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic.
Prior to this assignment he served as Chief Counsel of the Coast Guard, where he was legal advisor to the Commandant, and managed the nationwide delivery of legal service in support of Coast Guard missions. It is his second assignment as Chief Counsel.
Vice Admiral Shkor served Director, Joint Interagency Task Force East, in Key West, Florida, and as Commander, Joint Task Force 110 from 1996-1998. There he directed Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Customs Service forces conducting counter-drug detection and monitoring operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean. He initiated cooperative counter-drug operations with the Columbian Navy, the National Maritime Service of Panama, and other regional counter-drug forces. He initiated Operation Central Skies, assisting Central American counter-drug response forces with U.S. helicopter lift support. As Commander, Joint Task Force 110, he controlled DoD forces during military contingency operations in the Straits of Florida.
Before being promoted to flag in 1993, Vice Admiral Shkor served as Chief, Operations Division, on the staff of Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area. His operational assignments also include marine safety and environmental protection duties at Marine Inspection Office New Orleans, and command of Marine Safety Office Savannah, GA.
Vice Admiral Shkor served as Acting Deputy Director for Supply Reduction during the establishment of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and thereafter as Associate Deputy Director. There he participated in the development and implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy. Prior to that assignment he served as an assistant to then Vice President George Bush for counter-drug matters.
Vice Admiral Shkor served as the senior legal officer for the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, FL, during the inception of the drug war at sea, the Cuban Mariel boatlift, and establishment of the alien migrant interdiction program. He was recognized for his work there by receiving the Department of Transportation’s Lawrence Schneider Award as the Department’s outstanding young attorney. He was subsequently detailed to the office of General Counsel, Department of Transportation, and served as the Secretary’s representative to the law of the sea conference.
Vice Admiral Shkor is a 1966 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, from which he holds a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1973, and his Master of Science in Management degree from the Sloan School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 1985. His military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), and the Presidential Service Badge.
Vice Admiral Shkor is married to the former Sheila James O., of San Antonio, Texas. They have two sons, John and Matthew.