Media release from the Office of the Governor:

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced another addition to his communications team. Keith DeMello will be joining the Governor’s office as Communications Manager on December 12, 2011. DeMello will work alongside Communications Director Jim Boersema, Deputy Director of Communications Donalyn Dela Cruz, and Social Media Specialist Mark Wolf.

Boersema will oversee all aspects of communications, including strategy, between the Office of the Governor and the public and state government. Dela Cruz will continue to serve as the Governor’s spokesperson and primary media contact. In addition, Dela Cruz will assist Boersema in communication operations for the state. Wolf will continue to execute all Social Media, photo and video content for the Office of the Governor.

DeMello will assist in all aspects of communications for the Office of the Governor. He served as a Vice President of Public Affairs at McNeil Wilson Communications, brings over 15 years of experience in public relations. DeMello has led a diverse collection of public relations accounts across a wide spectrum of industries, from visitor/attraction to non-profit to transportation and municipal services. His work has earned various honors from the Hawai’i chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, and American Marketing Association. Prior to his time at McNeil Wilson, DeMello worked as an assistant account executive and production manager at Becker Communications. DeMello holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Hawai’i. He is a past president of the Hawai’i chapter of the American Marketing Association, and past president of the Hawai’i Council on Portuguese Heritage.

Earlier this month, Representative Blake Oshiro became the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Oshiro will be key in communicating the Governor’s agenda with legislators. The Governor has 60 days to appoint a replacement to the District 33 House Seat.