Master Chief DeMello assumed the duties of the Fifth Coast Guard District’s Command Master Chief on June 22, 2020, serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the District Commander.
As the senior enlisted advisor, Master Chief DeMello advises on workforce policies, provides enlisted mentoring and acts as the sounding board for select administrative actions and initiatives relative to the day-to-day operations of the District.
His previous assignments include Coast Guard Station Chetco River, Harbor Oregon, the Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) SASSAFRASS (WLB 401), Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Kapolei, Hawaii, two tours onboard USCGC GALVESTON ISLAND (WPB 1349), ISC Honolulu, USCGC WALNUT (WLB 205), U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Charleston S.C., USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) and the USCGC MORGENTHAU (WHEC 722).
Master Chief DeMello also served as the Command Senior Chief of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan, Alaska and Command Master Chief of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Alaska.
He is a graduate of Class 158 of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, the Coast Guard Command Senior Enlisted Course and other service related schools.
Master Chief DeMello’s awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Coast Guard Achievement Medals, Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbons and other personal and service awards. He has earned a permanent Cutterman insignia and a Command Master Chief (Gold Badge) insignia.
Master Chief DeMello grew up in the small town of Honokaa on the Island of Hawaii. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1994 and became a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard after graduating from high school. After two years with the Hawaii Army National Guard, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He is married to Sonya DeMello and they have two children: daughter, Kaili, and son, Kaelen.