Staff Bios

Bill Thomas, Director

Bill Thomas (B.S. and M.S. in zoology, University of Hawai`i at Manoa) has been the Director of the Pacific Services Center since September 9, 2002. Prior to assuming this position, he served in varying capacities at both the University of Hawai'i and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Starting as the University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program's extension agent for O`ahu in 1978, he moved to Washington, D.C., two years later to begin his career in NOAA's Sanctuary Programs Office as the assistant regional manager for the Western Pacific Region. He became the director of research for the Sanctuary Programs Division in 1985.

In 1990, Bill was appointed senior program officer in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Hawai`i. He moved to the Office of the Vice President for University Relations in 1993 to be its director of governmental and administrative affairs, where he was responsible for, among others, coordinating the university's system-wide legislative efforts and serving as university relations' chief financial and administrative officer. In 1998, alumni relations was added to his areas of responsibility, and he was appointed director of community and alumni relations.

Kristina Kekuewa, Deputy Director

Kristina Kekuewa joined the PSC team in June 2004. Her interest in Pacific Island issues was set in motion while working at the Pan-Pacific Education and Communication Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT) at the University of Hawai`i. Later, Kristina moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Upon returning home to Hawai`i, she served as the federal liaison at the University of Hawai`i.

Kristina received her B.A. from the University of Hawai`i in communication, M.A. in telecommunications from George Washington University, and J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

Edward Carlson, Pacific Regional Geodetic Advisor

Edward Carlson joined PSC as the National Geodetic Survey's (NGS) Pacific region geodetic advisor in January of 2002. Edward started his career with NGS in 1974 and currently serves as a senior geodesist in the spatial reference system division. His early responsibilities included working on the readjustment of the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). This position included the responsibility for developing the strategy and procedures for analyzing the Helmert blocks, which were the final stage of NAD 83.

Currently, Edward is involved in project planning, project review, project validation, global positioning system (GPS) data post-processing, and vector analysis utilizing the manufacturer's software, as well as NGS programs PAGE4 and ADJUST for all of NGS' GPS-derived height projects. He provides technical advice and training to federal, state, county, city, and private agencies in GPS data collection, post-processing and analysis, and the submission of data to NGS in specified "Blue Book" format. Edward also helped develop and evaluate the guidelines for establishing GPS-derived ellipsoid heights. Edward was recently recognized by the Department of Commerce with the Gold Medal Award for his technical mapping skills and coordination at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

Jamie Carter, Remote Sensing Specialist

Jamie is a Remote Sensing Analyst with the NOAA Coastal Services Center’s Coastal Remote Sensing Program in Charleston, South Carolina and was deployed to PSC in November 2006. Jamie’s responsibilities include promoting the integration of remotely sensed data for environmental applications and making the methods and information available to coastal resource managers throughout the Pacific and West Coast. Currently, Jamie is involved in the development and application of a geospatial tool called N-SPECT that uses remotely sensed data to study impacts on water quality, and is involved with several projects to validate and apply remotely sensed data in the coastal zone. Jamie received his B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology from Tulane University, and his M.S. in Physical Geography from Oregon State University.

Raymond C. Camacho ,Coastal hazards Intern

Ray joined PSC in 2007 as the Coastal Hazards Intern. Ray assists in coastal hazard related projects and activities at PSC. He assists with the review and development of coastal hazard outreach materials, review and testing of hazard related decision support tools, conducts literature reviews, and technical assistance with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Originally from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Ray provides first hand perspectives on island issues. He has a BS in Environmental Studies with minors in Business Management and Computer Science from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Divina Corpuz, Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawai‘i Coordinator

As the B-WET Hawai‘i Coordinator, Divina Corpuz brings to PSC relevant experience in education, community outreach efforts, and training. Divina has a B.A. in Asian Studies and Art History from the University of Hawai‘i, and an M.B.A. from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Formerly an Account Executive with America Online’s Maverick Marketing Division, Divina returned to Hawai‘i in 2002 following the Internet bust. A "kama‘aina come home,” she focused her career on addressing the need to reform and re-establish Hawai‘i’s educational foundation, incorporating modern technologies into classroom curricula. To this end, Divina was the Project Manager for the Women in Technology Project administered by the O‘ahu Division of the Maui Economic Development Board. In this capacity, she provided technical support and relevant resources to underserved and under-represented groups in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and was the lead coordinator in developing community-based and school partnerships.

Divina is currently a Board Member of an online mentoring program for female high school students pursuing STEM careers, and continues to contribute to training sessions and guest speaking engagements for middle school through college students.

Christine Feinholz, GIS Analyst

Christine started work with PSC in late 2006.  Christine provides GIS support to PSC and its Pacific Island partners.  This support entails utilizing acquired data sets for coastal resource applications; developing and delivering custom training; expanding the development of custom applications, tools, and extensions to support local decision making; and developing information spatial technology and related informational materials.

Meghan Gombos, Pacific Islands Coral Reef and Coastal Zone Management Assistant

Meghan Gombos began working at the PSC for the NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) in July 2003. Her activities include assisting in the development and implementation of coral reef and coastal zone management plans for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawai`i.

Meghan received a B.S. in marine and freshwater biology from the University of New Hampshire and an M.A. in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island. She has previously worked as an outreach assistant for a local nongovernmental organization in Belize, Central America, where she developed a management plan for a marine reserve. She has also worked for Earth Island Institute as the Costa Rica program director for Global Service Corps and as a water-quality field worker and analyst.

Shannan Hendrix, Environmental Literacy Coordinator

Shannan joined PSC's Environmental Literacy team in July 2007. She is primarily responsible for the coordinating the interactive display programs "Magic Planet" and "Science on a Sphere" and the development of new environmental literacy projects. Prior to joining NOAA, she taught 3rd grade at St. Ann's Model Schools in Kaneohe, HI. Shannan has a BS in Elementary Education from University of Missouri St. Louis.

Jessie Huart, Geospatial Analyst

Jessie Huart began working with PSC in 2006.  Jessie provides direct support to PSC’s coastal hazards program coordinator and geospatial coordinator.  Specifically, her hazard responsibilities include conducting background research on tsunami community resilience best practices and coordinating work related to the PRiMO initiative.  Jessie’s geospatial responsibilities include: managing, updating, and supporting the dissemination of over 500GB of recently acquired spatial data; providing technical support to local partners and other NOAA offices; supporting the continuation of GIS hazard planning and mitigation products and tools; and developing outreach and informational materials related to the integration of geospatial technologies in hazard management.

Russell Jackson, Coastal Hazards Program Coordinator

Russell Jackson recently transitioned from the NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC) to PSC in August 2005. For the past seven years, Russell has worked at CSC as a Coastal Hazards Specialist. His responsibilities at CSC included development of the CSC Coastal Hazards Program and working with coastal resource managers and emergency managers to mitigate the effects of coastal hazards. Russell’s transition to PSC has enabled him to apply his extensive knowledge and experiences to help PSC expand its role in helping federal, state, local, and territorial governments address coastal hazard issues.

Russell received a BS in Community and Rural Development from Clemson University. Prior to his employment at the CSC, Russell spent more than six years as an economist and project manager with the Charleston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Among many other duties, Russell conducted benefit/cost analyses on various long-term hazard mitigation projects, such as shore protection, flood control, emergency stream bank protection, navigation and environmental restoration projects. Russell was also heavily involved with the Corps’ emergency response activities. He managed the South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Corps and also participated in the Corps’ response to Hurricane Bonnie and numerous other emergency flood response activities.

Richard LaPenes, Network Administrator

Richard started work with PSC in March 2005 to provide support for a wide range of staff technology needs, ranging from desktop support to network planning and implementation. Richard has a B.S. in Information Systems from Brigham Young University, Hawai‘i, and previously worked with Alexander & Baldwin, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) and ‘Olelo Community Television. A "local boy," Richard brings the technical expertise to maintain the broad spectrum of computer and network requirements of PSC.

Matt McBride, GIS and Technical Support

Matt joined the office in March 2007. He provides GIS and technical support to PSC and its Pacific Island partners. Matt has a BA in Geography and Anthropology from the University of Southern Maine, and is currently finishing his MA in Natural Resources and Environmental Policy at the University of New Hampshire focusing on the role of local government in environmental decisions.

Kris McElwee, Pacific Islands Program Coordinator

Kris McElwee joined the staff of PSC in May of 2002. As the Pacific Islands program coordinator for the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), her role is to enhance the delivery of locally relevant OR&R products and services to the Pacific region. To this end, Kris's activities include consulting with state and territory representatives, identifying and building partnerships, expanding technical assistance and training efforts, and coordinating OR&R activities across the Pacific region.

Prior to joining PSC, Kris served as assistant director of information management for the Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, an international effort headquartered at Oregon State University. Kris received a B.A. in geology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and her M.S. in marine resource management from Oregon State University. Her master's project, "An Analysis of Water Resource Management in the Senegal River Valley," arose from a three-month internship at the Centre de Recherches Océanographiques de Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT) with a program to examine the ecology and resources of the Senegal River. Kris also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya.

John E. Parks, Coastal Management Specialist

Through PSC, John works in service to the coastal management programs of the U.S. Pacific Islands, on behalf of the Coastal Programs Division at NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. Using both the biological and behavioral sciences, John strives to better understand and improve the practice of coastal management and marine conservation for the benefit of current and future generations of Pacific Islanders, including his own family.

Prior to joining NOAA, John worked to address coastal and marine conservation issues in the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia as an applied researcher with the World Wildlife Fund (1995-1999), the World Resources Institute (1999-2002), and the Community Conservation Network (2002-2004). John earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Miami in Florida, with a dual focus on behavioral science and coastal ecology. He is also a senior fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program.

Nadia Sbeih, Regional Outreach Coordinator

Nadia joined PSC in 2007 as the Regional Outreach Coordinator. Her responsibilities include outreach and communications for the office. She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an MA in Marine Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Miami.

Adam Stein, Geospatial Technician

Adam Stein began working with the PSC in November of 2003. Adam's role as geospatial technician is to support the PSC and its Pacific island partners with geospatial data management and geographic information system (GIS) application development. He also provides technical expertise. Adam received his M.A. in geography from San Diego State University and a B.A. in biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He has previously worked with governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private consultants on many coastal resource management projects. Adam comes to the PSC from the San Diego County–Baja California Water Quality Monitoring and Prediction Program.

Manning Taite, Environmental Literacy Coordinator

Manning Taite joined the PSC staff in August 2006.  His responsibilities as the Environmental Literacy Coordinator involves the development of integrated learning approaches that (1) links NOAA science to the education, understanding, and stewardship of our environmental resources; (2) that builds capability through audience engagement; (3) that enables informed decision making; and (4) that establishes collaborative partnerships aimed at promoting environmental literacy through an increased understanding and use of NOAA data, information, programs, products, and services.

Jean Tanimoto, Coastal Program Coordinator

Jean Tanimoto joined the PSC team in August 2005. Previous employment included NAFSA: Association of International Educators as their Assistant Director of Education and Training and as a Staff Assistant for the late Congresswomen Patsy T. Mink. With a B.A. in International Relations and East Asian Studies from Bucknell University and an International M.B.A. from the University of Denver (with a concentration in Values-Based Leadership and Intercultural Communications), Jean is engaged in a variety of outreach, communication, and planning activities for PSC.

Sam Thomas, Management and Program Analyst

Sam Thomas started his position as the PSC management and program analyst in November 2003. Sam works with PSC staff to develop program and project plans consistent with the objectives of the office and the needs and desires of Pacific island partners. He coordinates, develops, and implements annual program, operating, and strategic plans for the PSC. Sam also coordinates the PSC's accounting and fiscal management with the NOAA Coastal Services Center and with other NOAA offices to track fiscal resources, assist with acquisition activities, and manage PSC operations. Sam facilitates processes and support requirements for the PSC with the National Weather Service and federal government support offices. He provides assistance for PSC program managers and others in outreach, technical support, administrative, and managerial needs. Sam received an associate's degree in public service, legal assistant, from Trident Technical College.