Brian Salerno was the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement from August 2013 to January 2017. He was responsible for promoting safety, protecting the environment and conserving resources through the vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement of offshore operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

Prior to his appointment as Bureau Director, Salerno served as the U.S. Coast Guard's Deputy Commandant for Operations where he was responsible for establishing and providing operational strategy, policy, guidance and resources as needed to meet national priorities for U.S. Coast Guard missions, programs and services. Previous Washington, D.C.-based assignments included serving as the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, Assistant Commandant for Policy and Planning, and Director of Inspections and Compliance.

Salerno was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard in December 1976 after attending Officer Candidate School. Over the course of his 36-year active duty career, Salerno attained the rank of Vice Admiral, serving predominantly within the U.S. Coast Guard's marine safety program. His field assignments included commanding units in Boston, MA and San Juan, PR, in addition to other assignments in Baltimore, MD; Port Arthur, TX; Portland, ME; and as the marine safety adviser to the Panama Canal Authority.

Salerno is a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, with a Masters in Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College nonresident program, and holds a Master's Degree in Management from the Johns Hopkins University. He is licensed as a master of small passenger vessels.