His responsibilities include the development of U.S. national maritime safety and environmental protection regulations and policies and overseeing U.S. initiatives in the development of international maritime safety, security and environmental protection standards.

In addition, Mr. Lantz serves as the U.S. Head of Delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Maritime Safety Committee, Marine Environment Protection Committee, and various sub‐committees. In this position, he represents the US position on numerous regulatory issues within the international commercial maritime industry including piracy and maritime security, green house gas emissions, human element, ballast water management, and passenger vessel safety.

Mr. Lantz has also been elected and currently serves as the as the Chairman for the IMO’s Council, the organization’s second highest governing body.

Mr. Lantz retired from active duty with the Coast Guard at the rank of Captain in 2001 after numerous assignments in marine safety, including Chief of the Office of Design and Engineering Standards and Commanding Officer of the Marine Safety Center. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1974 and the University of Michigan in 1978, where he obtained advanced degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and in Mechanical Engineering.