Ian was born and raised in Hawai'i, has lived in Volcano for over 15 years. Ian received a Bachelor's degree Wildlife Biology from the University of Idaho and has spent the last 20 years a working in the natural resources conservation field in Hawai'i. Currently, he works as a resource manager for the State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). In his position, he has taught numerous youth groups and adult volunteers about Hawai'i's unique biological systems and shared in their knowledge of Hawai'i's cultural and ecological resources. Additionally, he has first-hand experience with environmental compliance, grant applications, State procurement, and CIP projects. And, as the son of a general contractor, he has a lifetime of construction and homebuilding experience, developing the basic skills and concepts surrounding construction projects from grading to finishing work and finalization.

Jeffrey Mermel holds an BA in Psychology and Pre-Med from U.C. Berkeley and an MA in Psychology from San Jose University. Mr. Mermel served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia in adult literacy and then worked as a community organizer for 5 years in the public housing projects for the San Francisco Housing Authority. Mr. Mermel came to Volcano to work as a naturalist at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 1976. He then founded The Fireplace & Home Center of Hilo, a retail business which he expanded over 35 years. Mr. Mermel is an active member of the Volcano Community Association, serving as past President for two terms. He was instrumental in the fundraising effort to build the Volcano Volunteer Fire Station and was the lead organizer for the new Volcano Transfer Station & Recycling Center. Mr. Mermel also served as President for the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association. Now retired, he volunteers regularly at the Volcano Art Center gallery and as a hospice care worker for Hawaii Care Choices. Mr. Mermel is also a VSAS Governing Board director.

With 40 years accounting experience (20 in Hawai'i), in public and private accounting, expertise in budgeting, financial and cash flow analysis, project costing and forecasting, systems development, finance, administrative, technical and production group liaison, and a B.Sc. Business Administration - California State University at Northridge, David brings valuable theoretical and hands-on experience to FVSAS. David, as the owner of Goodman Tax Service and as the treasurer of Volcano Health Collaborative, The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, and Volcano Cooper Center, is an active contributor the greater Volcano community.

Lorna was born and raised in Hawaii and studied at Punahou School and University of California Berkeley campus. Upon return to Hawaii in 1962, she received a teaching credential at UH Manoa. Lorna taught for 25 years in Honolulu, most years at Kaimuki High in a federally funded “save the dropouts” program and Farrington High teaching psychology. Lorna received a Master's degree in the field of Ed Psychology. Lorna moved to Volcano in 1987 with husband Albert to create Kīlauea Lodge, formerly a 1938 - 1962 YMCA and from 1962-1974, Volcano Lodge. Lorna owned and operated the Lodge until retiring in 2018. Albert and Lorna have ten grandchildren.

Matthew D. Luera moved to the Big Island in 1974 after graduating from high school in Visalia, California. He started working in construction in 1977 for Eliot Merk. In 1980, he and his wife, April, moved to Volcano into a house they built at the top of Fern Forest. They raised two daughters who both work for the state. In 1989, Matt got his contractors license and started his own contracting business specializing in custom homes. In 1992, Matt met Boone Morrison to bid on a house that Boone had designed in the Golf Course subdivision. Matt and Boone ended up working together on numerous projects over the next 26 years. It is in honor of Matt's good friend Boone Morrison that he became a part of this Volcano School project and Matt looks forward to its successful completion.

Lynn Melena brings to our board a wide variety of skills and experiences. She is the co-founder of Ke ‘Olu Makani, a Hawaiian culture-based nonprofit organization in Volcano, as well as a co-founder of a mainland Hawaiian nonprofit civic club. She has served as a past governing board member of the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences and is a current director on the Friends of VSAS board. In addition, she is the board president of Volcano Arts Center. A civil servant for 31 years, Lynn brings in-depth organizational expertise as a former federal contracts manager with the US Department of Interior. Lynn, as an educational scholar-practitioner, has a PhD. in Education with a specialty in Learning, Instruction, and Innovation.  Her qualitative research focused on instructional methods used by kumu hula across multiple generations and the transmission of cultural values. A native of Maui, Lynn’s interests are in all aspects of Native Hawaiian culture, especially hula, fine arts, travel, and family.

Bio coming soon.