The Command Senior Enlisted Leaders of the Hawaiʻi National Guard

10

Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon Kumalae

December 2024 – Present

Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon I. Kumalae is a native of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, and enlisted in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard in 1999 as an administrative specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of enlisted leadership positions, progressing through every leadership role within the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from team leader to command sergeant major. His assignments include Command Sergeant Major of 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment; J3 Sergeant Major for the Hawaiʻi National Guard; G3 Sergeant Major for the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard; and Command Sergeant Major of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Appointed Hawaiʻi National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader in 2024, Kumalae serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Adjutant General, providing leadership and advocacy for Soldiers and Airmen across the state. His operational experience includes deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Joint Guardian, as well as numerous state civil support missions and Indo-Pacific region exercises.

9

Chief Master Sgt. Zandra O. Fox

January 2023 – December 2024

Chief Master Sgt. Zandra O. Fox enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2000 and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Throughout her career, she served in a variety of operational, training, and personnel leadership roles, including data systems technician, tracking technician, formal training manager, and professional military education program manager with the Air National Guard. She later served as System Analyst Requirements Writer at Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center, where she supported Total Force personnel systems and coordinated requirements between program managers and stakeholders. After joining the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard in 2017, Fox served as Superintendent of the 154th Force Support Squadron, overseeing manpower, personnel, force development and services, before becoming Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Command Chief in 2021. Appointed Hawaiʻi National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader in 2023, Fox served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Adjutant General and provided leadership for more than 5,400 Soldiers and Airmen, advancing enlisted readiness, professional development, and the health and welfare of the force.

8

Command Sgt. Maj. Dana W. Wingad

March 2019 – January 2023

Command Sgt. Maj. Dana W. Wingad enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1992 as an Airborne Anti-Armor Infantryman and joined the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard in 1995. While serving in the Guard, he worked as a police officer with the Maui Police Department before becoming a full-time Active Guard Reserve Soldier in 2003. Throughout his career, Wingad served in a variety of infantry and noncommissioned officer leadership positions, including team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, brigade operations sergeant major, battalion command sergeant major, and commandant of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Selected as the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major in 2019, Wingad served as the senior enlisted advisor responsible for supporting enlisted readiness, professional development, and the welfare of Soldiers across the organization. A graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Wingad also deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and brought more than three decades of military experience to his role as the Army Guard’s senior enlisted leader.

7

Chief Master Sgt. William A. Parker

March 2015 – March 2019

Chief Master Sgt. William A. Parker enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1989 after graduating from Crawfordsville High School in Indiana. He began his career as a civil engineering heavy equipment operator before transitioning into emergency management, where he developed expertise in disaster preparedness, mobility operations, and force protection. After joining the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard in 2004, Parker served in a variety of leadership positions with the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron, including Emergency Management Superintendent, Flight Chief and Chief Enlisted Manager. He also integrated Hawaiʻi Air National Guard emergency management programs with active-duty Air Force and Navy partners at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Selected as the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Command Chief and Hawaiʻi National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader in 2015, Parker advised senior leaders on enlisted readiness, training and professional development while leading Soldiers and Airmen across the state. His operational experience included a deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where he served as Civil Engineer Chief Enlisted Manager and Operations Superintendent.

6

Chief Master Sgt. Robert S. K. Lee III 

February 2010 – March 2015

Chief Master Sgt. Robert S. K. Lee III was born at Johnson Air Base, Japan, and graduated from James B. Castle High School in 1978. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1980 and served as a satellite communications and wideband technician before joining the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard in 1987 with the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. Throughout his career, Lee served in a variety of technical and leadership positions, including communications maintenance technician, radio maintenance supervisor, and maintenance superintendent at Mt. Kaʻala Air Force Station and Wheeler Army Airfield. He became Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 154th Wing in 2006 before being selected as the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Command Chief and Hawaiʻi National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader in 2010. A longtime member of the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Base Honor Guard and Royal Guard, Lee exemplified service, leadership and commitment to the organization and community.

5

Chief Master Sgt. Denise M. Jelinski-Hall 

December 2006 – January 2010

Chief Master Sgt. Denise M. Jelinski-Hall enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1984 and trained as an air traffic controller. After serving on active duty, she joined the California Air National Guard in 1987 before transferring to the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard in 1990, where she served with the 297th Air Traffic Control Flight. Throughout her career, she held a variety of operational and leadership positions, including air traffic control superintendent, combat airspace manager with the 201st Combat Communications Group, and Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 154th Wing. Selected as the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Command Chief in 2006, Jelinski-Hall was appointed Hawaiʻi National Guard State Senior Enlisted Leader later that year. During her tenure, she advised senior leaders on enlisted readiness, professional development, and force management while representing the interests of Soldiers and Airmen across the state. Recognized with the 2008 Department of Defense Trailblazer Award, she continued her career as the National Guard Bureau Senior Enlisted Leader from 2010 to 2013.

4

Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon A. Nakasone 

July 1999 – December 2006

Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon A. Nakasone began his military career in the U.S. Air Force in 1971 as an avionics technician, serving assignments in Thailand and Taiwan before joining the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard in 1976. Throughout his career, he held a variety of leadership positions, including tactical communications chief, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, battalion communications chief and command sergeant major of the 298th Regiment, Regional Training Institute. Appointed State Command Sergeant Major in July 1999, Nakasone served during one of the busiest operational periods in the Hawaiʻi National Guard’s history. Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he provided senior enlisted leadership as the Hawaiʻi National Guard supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, with mobilizations peaking in 2004–2005 when nearly 87 percent of the state’s Army National Guard Soldiers were activated — the highest percentage in the nation. Throughout his tenure, he championed enlisted readiness, professional development and the welfare of Hawaiʻi’s Soldiers and Airmen.

3

Sgt. Maj. James K. Kahalehoe Jr. 

Dec. 6, 1993 – Dec. 5, 1998

Sgt. Maj. James K. Kahalehoe Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 after graduating from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Following two and a half years of active-duty service with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, he joined the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard in 1977 as a member of the 298th Engineer Detachment. Throughout his career, he served in a series of key noncommissioned officer leadership positions with Headquarters Installation Command, later redesignated as Troop Command, and the 297th Support and Service Battalion before serving as its command sergeant major. Appointed State Command Sergeant Major in December 1993, Kahalehoe championed improvements to enlisted education, communication, recruiting, retention and the Army National Guard promotion system. His tenure also coincided with the establishment of the Hawaiʻi National Guard Youth Challenge Program, reflecting the organization’s continued investment in developing future generations of leaders.

2

Sgt. Maj. Clement Y. F. Hew 

Sept. 11, 1989 – April 29, 1993

Sgt. Maj. Clement Y. F. Hew enlisted in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard in 1949 while attending Kaimukī High School. During a military career spanning more than 44 years, he served in a variety of noncommissioned officer leadership positions, beginning with the 298th Artillery Group (Missile) before transferring to the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery in 1970. There, he progressed from sergeant first class to command sergeant major and later served as command sergeant major of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate). Named the 1971 Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Soldier of the Year, Hew was appointed State Command Sergeant Major in 1989. As the Adjutant General’s senior enlisted advisor, he built upon the enlisted education, recognition and promotion programs established by his predecessor while promoting a leadership philosophy centered on discipline, teamwork and professional development. His tenure concluded following the Hawaiʻi National Guard’s response to Hurricane Iniki, reinforcing the Guard’s commitment to serving Hawaiʻi’s communities during times of crisis.

1

Sgt. Maj. William L. Duncan Jr. 

October 1986 – September 1989

Sgt. Maj. William L. Duncan Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 after graduating from Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Following two years of active-duty service, he joined the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard’s 298th Infantry Regimental Combat Team in 1948. During a military career spanning more than 43 years, he served in numerous noncommissioned officer leadership positions, including squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant and command sergeant major. He served as first sergeant of the 298th Artillery Group (Air Defense) Nike Hercules Battery before becoming command sergeant major of the 298th Field Depot, later reorganized as Headquarters Installation Command and Troop Command. Duncan was appointed in October 1986 as the Hawaiʻi National Guard’s first full-time State Command Sergeant Major under Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Alexis Lum. As the Adjutant General’s senior enlisted advisor, he established the foundation for the command senior enlisted leader role while advancing enlisted leadership, readiness and professional development throughout the Hawaiʻi National Guard.