Shanon W. Cotta of Alna, Maine was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel at Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ), Maine Army National Guard. Cotta is assigned as the garrison commander at Camp Keyes, overseeing base operations. He also administers the use and maintenance of various training sites across the state, as well as the development of new training sites.

Raised in South China, Maine by David and Helga Cotta, he attended China Elementary School and Erskine Academy. He graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts, (BA), the University of Maine Graduate School with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and he also holds degrees from Nashotah House Theological Seminary.

His awards and decorations include the Humanitarian Service Medal, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal, Vermont Emergency Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Korean Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Badge, Mountain Warfare School, Expert Field Medical Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Lieutenant Colonel Cotta is married to Jill Cotta, a teacher at the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) in Edgecomb, Maine and they have three young children, Owen, Ellie and Keagan. They are avid local sports fans and love supporting Wiscasset and Boothbay youth sports.