Deope Gayomali attended Benson Polytechnic High School from 1978 to 1981, where he studied welding, metal fabrication, and drafting. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1981 and went on to serve for more than 24 years, retiring in August 2005 as a Chief Petty Officer (Electrician).

Throughout his naval career, he specialized in the operation, maintenance, and repair of complex electrical and engineering systems aboard U.S. Navy ships. He completed advanced electrical and electronics training and earned an Electrical Journeyman Apprenticeship Certification through the U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of the Navy. He qualified as an Engineering Officer of the Watch, supervising the operation of ship propulsion plants and engineering systems while underway, and led electrical divisions responsible for maintaining critical shipboard electrical and electronic equipment. He also managed the electrical safety and lockout/tagout programs aboard USS Juneau (LPD-10). As a qualified Navy electrician instructor and Master Training Specialist at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, he trained more than 3,000 students, managed electrical training curricula, evaluated instructors, and served on qualification boards for future Master Training Specialists. Later, while assigned under Commander, Amphibious Group Seven, U.S. Seventh Fleet, in Sasebo, Japan, he served as a Project Officer, coordinating electrical and material inspections and conducting electrical safety and firefighting training for eight U.S. Navy ships.

After retiring from the Navy, he continued his education at ITT Technical Institute–Portland, earning a degree in Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology from 2011 to 2013. During his studies, he was elected to the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society of Oregon in recognition of his academic achievement. He then built a successful civilian career in the electrical and electronics industry, serving with Sears Holdings Corporation, Edwards Vacuum, FST Technical Services/Hitachi, FLIR Systems, and Teledyne FLIR. Since 2022, he has worked as a Product Test Technician with ESS, Inc., where he continues to apply his extensive expertise in electrical systems, electronics, equipment testing, and technical troubleshooting.

Source of photo and information: www.linkedin.com/in/deope-gayomali-79591268