Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (Jan. 17, 2023) – A longtime Civil Air Patrol member with nearly three
decades of National Headquarters experience has been chosen as CAP’s new chief operating officer.
The Board of Governors has named John W. Desmarais Sr., CAP’s director of operations, to the top
executive post at National Headquarters. He will officially become COO at the end of March,
succeeding John Salvador, who is retiring.
To maximize the number of applicants, the BoG developed a robust process that ensured the COO
position was advertised nationwide via multiple job search platforms as well as other methods. Retired
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin McLaughlin, board chair, said the governing board carefully considered
all the candidates who applied and chose Desmarais because he met all the board’s requirements for
this very important position.
“John has an impressive record of Civil Air Patrol service both as an employee as well as a volunteer,”
McLaughlin said. “His leadership in operations has helped CAP become one of the premier public
service organizations in the nation and a true Total Force partner. John’s background and experience
will help him be a highly effective COO.”
In his new role, Desmarais will manage the day-to-day operations of Civil Air Patrol. This includes
ensuring CAP’s compliance with all applicable Air Force, Department of Defense and federal grants
directives and requirements. He will also be responsible for centralized procurement of all major
equipment, vehicles, and aircraft. In addition, he will serve as the BoG’s executive secretary.
“The Board of Governors made a wise choice in selecting John,” said Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka,
CAP’s national commander and CEO. “His decades of experience in multiple different departments at
National Headquarters will serve him well as he assumes the role of chief operating officer. I’m looking
forward to working closely with him, moving CAP forward into the future.”
Salvador, COO since August 2016, said, “I’ve worked closely with John for more than 25 years. He’s
passionate about supporting both our members’ needs and finding innovative ways to continuously
meet the evolving needs of America’s communities. The BoG made an excellent decision to select him
to be CAP’s next COO.”
Desmarais, known in CAP circles as “Moose” because of his physical stature and his call sign, has
served on the senior staff at National Headquarters the past 18 years — most recently as director of
operations.
“Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to spearhead many strategic initiatives that
remain today and are truly foundational to what our members do every day,” Desmarais said. “I
routinely partner with all areas of the Civil Air Patrol team and have worked to observe, listen, and
learn, truly developing the skills and experience necessary to support and lead the entire team and
serve as the next chief operating officer.”
Like many Civil Air Patrol leaders, including Phelka, Desmarais got his start as a cadet. Beginning in
the Rhode Island Wing’s 102nd Composite Squadron in 1987, CAP quickly became a family affair as
Desmarais’ parents joined soon thereafter and also remain active in CAP to this day, now volunteering
at National Headquarters. “The cadet program offered me opportunities that really changed my life.
CAP and the cadet program really helped make me the man that I am today in many different ways,”
Desmarais said in the fall 2017 issue of Civil Air Patrol Volunteer, which marked the 70-year
anniversary of CAP’s Cadet Programs.
Desmarais remains a CAP member 35 years after his career began, with service in the Rhode Island,
Florida and Alabama wings, He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2003. He has been an incident
commander, observer, and ground team leader for many years and has achieved multiple other
qualifications. He is also a certified professional innovator, a designation earned through Project
Mercury Cohort 7 at Air University in 2022. He was on the cohort’s winning team and was selected as
its most valuable player. He coached another team in Cohort 8.
He is a certificated private pilot, incident command system instructor, first responder instructor, and a
technician class amateur radio operator.
A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Desmarais lives in Pike Road, Alabama, with his wife, the
former Mary Leigh Strickland. They have two sons, Will and Wade.
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