Conroy, Barden Lead Flotilla in 2023

John Conroy

John Conroy of Cazenovia has been elected commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26, and Sara Barden of Durhamville has been elected vice flotilla commander. Their one-year terms run until December 31, 2023.

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Conroy has been serving as interim commander since the passing of Past Flotilla Commander Mark Kimber on May 31. 

An Auxiliarist since 2002, Conroy has served in training and operations roles. He is a past flotilla commander and past division commander. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary after attending a 13-week Boat Skills and Seamanship course.

“My real passion is being on board,” he said, “so I became operationally qualified (as boat crew, coxswain and personal watercraft operator).”

Conroy started out with Brewerton Flotilla 2-14 and served four terms as its flotilla commander. Central New York Division 2 also tapped him as its operations officer to develop training workshops and on-the-water drills. Eventually he transferred to Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26.

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A graphic designer and artist, Barden joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2011 and has been serving as diversity officer for the flotilla. She also had served as diversity officer for Central New York Division 2.