Peter Boynton
CEO, Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University, LLC | Faculty Affiliate, Global Resilience Institute
Boston, MA, UNITED STATES
Peter Boynton is CEO of the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University, LLC.
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Biography
Peter Boynton is CEO of the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University, LLC. The institute is home for co-located industry and academic research labs working together to accelerate innovation related to resilience and security.
Previously, Boynton was the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the state of Connecticut, appointed by both democratic and republican Governors. He led statewide responses to three Presidential disaster declarations, integrating the government response with private sector task forces to speed recovery.
Boynton also served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. As Captain of the Port for Connecticut and Long Island, he partnered with industry to implement post-9/11 maritime security measures, led a study with public and industry stakeholders evaluating security for a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, and led the rescue of an oil tanker aground on Long Island, preventing an environmental disaster. He was Commanding Officer of three Coast Guard cutters involved in drug interdiction, search and rescue, and fisheries conservation enforcement.
Boynton was a Director on the White House National Security Council staff, and served at the Department of State. He was Federal Security Director for Bradley International airport, where he led the airport from the lowest to the top 10 rated TSA operations in the eastern U.S.
Boynton has testified before the U.S. Congress on multiple occasions, and has served on numerous non-profit boards including the national Board of Directors for the Military Officers Association of America. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He also holds an unlimited Master’s License for ocean-going vessels of any tonnage.
Areas of Expertise (7)
Emergency Management
Maritime
Drug Interdiction
Security and Systems
Disaster Response
Ships and Vessels
Naviation
Education (2)
Harvard University: MPA 1994
U.S. Coast Guard Academy: BA, Ocean Engineering 1979
Links (3)
Media Appearances (7)
Drones for Research: Explaining Northeastern’s Policy
News @ Northeastern online
2018-03-14
As drones grow in popularity, so too is the range of ways society is using them. They’re being deployed to deliver goods and take amazing photos and videos. Researchers, including those at Northeastern, across many disciplines are also increasingly turning to unmanned aerial vehicles to advance their work.
Northeastern researchers develop robots to detect infrastructural damage
The Huntington News online
2017-10-19
A team of researchers at Northeastern University are building aerial robots that can detect hidden damages in infrastructures, such as skyscrapers, bridges or stadiums, for more effective rescue and restoration efforts after natural catastrophes.
Northeastern Researchers Design Robots to Assist With Disaster Relief
News @ Northeastern online
2017-09-21
Cities and towns all across the globe are reeling from a spate of hurricanes, earthquakes, and typhoons. Human safety is the most immediate concern. But damage assessment is important too.
What Caused Navy Destroyer's Deadly Collision?
News @ Northeastern online
2017-06-21
Early Saturday morning, a U.S. Navy destroyer collided with a Philippine container ship off the coast of Japan, resulting in the deaths of seven Navy sailors. The USS Fitzgerald, a missile destroyer based at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, collided with the ACX Crystal, a merchant vessel three-times the size of the Fitzgerald, which caused severe damage to the destroyer’s starboard side.
International Leaders Highlight Global Resilience Institute’s Vital Role
News @ Northeastern online
2017-04-12
At a launch event Tuesday afternoon for Northeastern’s Global Resilience Institute, five leaders in the resilience field emphasized the importance of one of the institute’s overarching goals—to establish and facilitate collaboration across disciplines in order to best create resiliency on multiple fronts.
Theories on how a South Korean passenger ferry suddenly sank
CNN online
2014-04-17
It most likely struck something in the water, said Peter Boynton, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain. "The speed with which this ferry began to list and then roll over on its side suggests significant damage, most likely causing major flooding that would cause a vessel of this size -- almost 500 feet long -- to quickly roll onto its side. That's very likely the result of significant damage," he said.
Peter Boynton Is Moving On
NPR radio
2011-09-21
After two years with Connecticut’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Deputy Commissioner Peter Boynton is moving on. Boynton was first appointed to the post under Republican Governor Jodi Rell. During his tenure, he’s led the department through Presidential disaster declarations for federal aid, earthquakes, blizzards and most recently Tropical Storm Irene.