From 2008 to 2023, he worked for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, including 13 years as the State Boating Law Administrator, and its first-ever Boating Division Director. Prior to becoming NASBLA’ s chief, he returned to the USCG for one and a half years as Regulatory Development Manager and liaison / coordinator to the National Safe Boating Advisory Committee.

In addition, he’ s served in leadership positions with multiple marine industry associations, along with involvement in community, church and college alumni initiatives.

Today, Guess is on a mission to lead the ongoing boating safety initiatives of NAS- BLA, the national nonprofit 501( c)( 3) public service organization representing state and territorial recreational boating authorities.

After 38 years of boating safety leadership, Tom Guess assumed the helm of NASBLA in March 2025.

With a stellar 38-year marine industry career spanning active-duty Coast Guard service to his appointment to CEO of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators( NASBLA) By Wanda in March, Tom Guess brings a wealth of boating Kenton Smith safety experience and passion to his new role.

As a youngster introduced to the waterways by his grandfather on Chesapeake Bay, his personal engagement in boating encompasses water skiing as a teenager, to fishing aboard small Jon boats, to paddling on countless river trips with family and friends.

Professionally, Guess launched his career as a coxswain and boating officer in the U. S. Coast Guard. He rose through the ranks to head command positions at USCG stations including a three-year stint in the Outer Banks where he dealt with user conflict issues between charter boat captains and recreational anglers at the Oregon Inlet.

Additional posts followed, including law enforcement instructor at the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement School( now Academy) where he taught state marine patrol officers about Federal Boating Regulations, instructor development and Boating Under the Influence.

Boating Industry( BI): What led to a career in boating safety? Tom Guess( TG): I’ ve always been service-minded and have a servant’ s heart. I started as a lifeguard as a teenager, and that led to the local rescue squad giving us advanced first aid training, which then led to becoming a certified EMT at 16 years old and joining that rescue squad. That ultimately led me to the Coast Guard.

Seeing people drinking, driving and dying ultimately led me to seeing people boating, driving and dying … the biggest correlation was the consumption of alcoholic beverages while operating, and the lack of awareness of clicking that seatbelt or life jacket, which are both two very easy things that can change lives forever.

It’ s hard to put on that seat belt after you hit the tree, and it’ s hard to put on that life jacket after you hit that boat or find yourself in the water unexpectedly. People think,“ Oh, I am a good swimmer,” but good swimmers drown when they don’ t expect to be swimming, are fully clothed and are suddenly in the water or in a current, often with their feet in the air.

BI: What have been some of your most rewarding experiences? TG: There were many rescues I was involved in during my Coast Guard career where I had the privilege to directly touch the lives of boaters in distress and make a difference by bringing family members home to their loved ones.

Other times, I recall boarding vessels as a boarding officer in law enforcement situations where I hope I have made a difference by educating a boater on a piece of equipment such as a fire extinguisher or a life jacket.

One time we found a small open boat that was reported overdue, and it had two missing teenage boys who were four hours late. It was almost midnight and the boys’ moms were worried sick; I promised them we would find their sons.

We found them in a marsh with a bad starter solenoid. I asked if they had a toolbox and I found the biggest screwdriver I could find and said,“ I’ m going to teach y’ all something so next time you can get home, and your mama won’ t be at home thinking the worst.” I showed them how to jump their starter solenoid with the screwdriver while the key was on … the starter rang out, the motor started, and those boys grinned from ear to ear with that I / O humming like a top! Their moms were about to bust when they saw that old boat coming home. It’ s those good memories that last.

Later, I learned the value of being in a committee room with a piece of legislation and testifying and / or making amendments … or helping legislators and constituent groups understand why boating and boating safety matters.

People ask why I want to work with legislation and policy. Anytime when I was in the field or in a supervisory role and hit a roadblock, it had to do with budgets, policy, regulations and laws. I decided the best way to make a difference was to impact public policy. It changes what happens in the field, affecting not only the folks doing the job, but ultimately the boater.

28 july / august 2025 www. boatingindustry. com