Special to The Post-Searchlight

Louie Ojeda, a volunteer firefighter with the Recovery Volunteer Fire Department, has been elected to serve as the National Administrative Officer of the United States Power Squadrons, the world’s largest non-profit recreational boating organization, with more than 44,000 members in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. He was elected at the January national convention in Jacksonville, Fla.

Vice Commander Ojeda emphasizes the need for all recreational boaters to have the education and skills necessary to safely operate their power, sail, and personal watercraft, to keep themselves and their families from harm as they enjoy their time on the water. Having completed all of the educational courses offered by the Power Squadrons, he has obtained the designation of Senior Navigator. In addition, he has served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division One 7th District, as a Flotilla Commander, Division Vice-Captain, Chief of the Vessel Safety Check Technical Division of the National Staff, a Qualification Examiner and a Coxswain. He also holds an AUXOP designation, having taken all of the education courses in the Auxiliary.

Ojeda and his wife, Dot, moved six years ago from Puerto Rico to Lake Seminole in the Recovery community, where he is a volunteer firefighter with the Recovery Volunteer Fire Department and serves as vice president of the RVFD Community Center. They are parents to four children and seven grandchildren.

If anyone is interested in starting a local squadron in the Bainbridge/Lake Seminole area, Ojeda can be emailed at louiedot@bellsouth.net. There are numerous courses and a wide variety of boating seminars offered through USPS University. For more information, visit www.usps.org.