Capt. Aaron Demo

Deputy Commander, Sector Virginia

Captain Demo assumed the duties as the Deputy Sector Commander in June of 2024, leading 1,200 Coast Guardsman and Auxiliary personnel, among three cutters, six small boat stations, three aids to navigation teams, and a Sector Field Office conducting all Coast Guard missions in Virginia waters and offshore. She oversees all Captain of the Port, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal On Scene Coordinator, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator authorities in the region.

Prior to this assignment, Captain Demo served as the Coast Guard’s Chief, Traveling Inspector where he lead a specialized staff of senior marine inspectors that provide professional commercial vessel knowledge, experience and training to field commanders and inspectors to ensure safe, consistent application of requirements and to expand technical expertise throughout the program.  The staff includes the Traveling Inspectors located at Coast Guard Headquarters, four National Centers of Expertise focused on the disciplines of Cruise Ships, Liquefied Gas Carriers, the Outer Continental Shelf, Towing Vessels, and the Training Support Specialists located at TRACEN Yorktown.  

His previous assignments include: Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (2018-2021), Traveling Inspector (2016-2018), Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance at Coast Guard Headquarters (2013-2016), Chief, Inspections Division at Sector Houston-Galveston (2010-2013); Assistant Chief, Domestic Vessel Branch at Sector Hampton Roads (2006-2010); Chief of the Incident Management Division and Investigating Officer at Sector New Orleans (2003-2006); and Staff Officer at the National Maritime Center (2000-2003).

Captain Demo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1994. He is also a 2013 graduate of The National Graduate School of Quality Management, where he earned a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management. Additionally, Captain Demo holds a license as a 1600-ton Master Upon Oceans, Master of Towing Vessels Upon Oceans, and a Third Mate Unlimited Upon Oceans.

Prior to entering the Coast Guard, Captain Demo sailed as a licensed officer on offshore supply vessels, high-speed ferries, casino boats, and both inland and offshore towing vessels.

Captain Demo’s awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and the Coast Guard Commandant’s Letter of Commendation ribbon.