Deputy National Commodores

The Auxiliary has four Deputy National Commodores (DNACO) who report to the Vice National Commodore. Three are elected, and one is appointed (*).

Each DNACO has a specific set of operational areas he or she is responsible for, with one or more of the appointed Assistant National Commodores (staff officers) reporting in. Additionally, each of the three elected DNACOs (O, RBS, and MS) are the reporting point for approximately one third of the 16 District Commodores, grouped by geographical area, who are elected every two years to lead their local membership.

We invite you to review the content below and find out more about the Deputy National Commodores.

Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic East & Operations (DNACO–O)

COMO Alex J. Malewski

Commodore Alex Malewski from Seaford, New York joined the Auxiliary in 2000. He has served in numerous appointed and elected positions including his most recent elected position as District Commodore of the First District, Southern Region from 2015 through 2016. Commodore Malewski has a Degree in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross and a Juris Doctor Degree from Saint John’s University.

Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic West & Recreational Boating Safety (DNACO–RBS)

COMO Edward Monaco

Commodore Monaco from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio joined the Auxiliary in 1999. He has served in a number of elected positions, most recently as District Commodore of the Ninth District, Eastern Region from 2015 through 2016. Commodore Monaco is a graduate of Kent State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and works as an architect in the private sector.

Deputy National Commodore – Pacific Area & Mission Support (DNACO–MS)

COMO Fred C. Gates

Commodore Fred Gates joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1998. He has served in various positions on the National Staff since 2000. Most recently Commodore Gates was appointed Assistant National Commodore for Planning and Performance Measurement in 2011 and as Deputy National Commodore - Information Technology and Planning in 2014.

Deputy National Commodore – Info Tech & Planning (DNACO–ITP) (*)

COMO Linda Merryman

Commodore Linda Merryman, from Pahrump, Nevada, joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1981. She served in various positions on the National Staff since 1995, most recently as Assistant National Commodore for Performance and Planning from 2014 through 2016. She holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland and is retired from the field of Information Technology, having specialized in project management and strategic coordination.