IYRS Faculty Bios
Boatbuilding & Restoration
Learn more about Boatbuilding & Restoration at IYRS!
Bill Kenyon '06 | Dean of Students and Lead Instructor
After 25 years in the restaurant management business, including many years of sailing and working on his own boats, Bill Kenyon decided it was time to pursue his passion and enrolled in the Boatbuilding & Restoration program at IYRS in 2004. After graduating in 2006, Bill was hired by Hinckley Yacht Services in Portsmouth, RI where he spent three years. Later, at East Passage Boatwrights in Bristol, RI, Bill worked on several complete yacht restorations, including the 1952 5.5 meter Complex II and Skylark, the Sparkman & Stephens sister ship to Dorade. He went on to work on the restoration of the Herreshoff NY 30 Banzai at Wooden Boatworks in Greenport, NY before returning to IYRS and Newport in 2010 as an instructor. Bill's love of yachts and boating are evident in every conversation he has and even a quick chat will provide you with a fascinating piece of maritime information. Bill has taught hundreds of IYRS students the fine craftsmanship and technical skills of boatbuilding - as well as the fundamentals of sailing in preparation for their Graduation & Launch Day!
Warren Barker | Senior Instructor
Warren Barker remarked to a friend at Williams College that after graduation he was going home to build a boat with his father. Little did he know that over forty years later he would still be building boats. Returning to the Berkshires, he attended a furniture design and woodworking school. Determined that the furniture float, Warren took those skills to Maine to build the 42’ ketch Nia, to Rhode Island to build cold molded and composite sail and power boats, and to his home in Massachusetts to build custom boats under his own shingle. Having taught at IYRS since 2003, Warren has overseen the building by his students of a myriad of boats by multiple designers-instilling in this new generation of boatbuilders the skill and enthusiasm for the trade that have carried him through his career.
David Redero ' 11 & '12 | Managing Instructor
David brings more than 10 years of boatbuilding, marine carpentry, and professional woodworking experience to the IYRS faculty. As a 2011 IYRS graduate of the Boatbuilding & Restoration program and a 2012 graduate of the Marine Systems program, he brings professional skills and his personal experience as an IYRS student to our shop and classroom to support our students' success.
Prior to joining IYRS, David spent 5 years as a Shipwright with McMillen Yachts in Portsmouth, RI. He has worked on many historic wooden yacht restoration projects including a 1954 36’ Italian gondola, a 1905 Herreshoff NY30, and multiple Herreshoff S-boats including Kandahar, Vindex, Surprise, Mischief, Whistler, and Tea Ticket.
David is a US Veteran and served 5 years in the United States Marine Corps. He is an experienced sailor and enjoys bringing professionalism, hard work, and creativity to the boatbuilding program each day.
Composites Technology
Learn more about Composites Technology at IYRS!
John Hammel | Director
John Hammel brings over a decade of expertise in mechanical engineering and manufacturing innovation to IYRS School of Technology & Trades. A Newport native, he most recently served as a Senior Composite Customer Application Development Engineer at ExxonMobil, where he advanced Proxxima resin systems globally. He now leads IYRS’s composites program.
At TPI Composites, he advanced automotive electrification through the use of structural composites, while at Inert Corporation, he successfully reduced costs in air purification systems. John excels in process optimization and team leadership. His background includes multimillion-dollar projects at Saint-Gobain and precision manufacturing at Tiffany & Co., with strengths in finite element analysis (FEA), root cause analysis, and regulatory compliance.
John holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University (summa cum laude, Alfred Ferretti Award recipient), and is a member of ASME, ACS, ASCE, and the Order of the Engineer. He will leverage his industry network and technical skills to enhance IYRS’s curriculum with advanced technologies, supporting Rhode Island’s composites industry growth.
John and his wife Emma now live in Swansea, MA with their daughter Rosalie (8) and three cats—Haruko, Misty, and Oreo. He is a graduate of Moses Brown School.
Jason Feld | Managing Instructor
Jason Feld began working in boat yards as a teenager and has over 30 years of experience in the marine industry. His expertise spans various aspects of boat construction and maintenance.
Jason started working as a sailmaker, building and repairing sails for a wide range of cruising vessels, including historical yachts like Shamrock and Endeavour, J Class boats.
Throughout Jason’s career, he has had the privilege of being involved in many prestigious projects such as the completion of America's Cup Class boats, Whitbread/Volvo round-the-world boats, IOR and IMS racing yachts, Sleds, Trans Pac 50s, and even Rowing Shells. In addition to sail making, Jason worked as a lead builder for over 15 years at a hi-tech custom boat-building company, specializing in the construction of grand prix race boats and advanced composite cruising boats. During this time, he played a crucial role in bringing these high-performance boats to life, utilizing advanced composite materials and techniques.
Jason’s passion for the marine industry and dedication to craftsmanship have allowed him to hone his skills and stay at the forefront of boat construction and repair. Jason takes pride in delivering top-notch quality work and ensuring that each project is completed to the highest standard. Jason has come to IYRS to teach the new generation of composite manufacturers to build the skills and desire to fulfill an exciting career in the composites industry.
Digital Modeling & Fabrication
Learn more about Digital Modeling & Fabrication at IYRS!
David Riley | Lead Instructor
David holds a BFA in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and served as the Digital Modeling & Fabrication Program Manager for the 2022-2023 academic year. Prior to IYRS, David spent more than ten years in professional fabrication, design, and prototyping. David's approach to teaching is thoughtful, proactive, and focused on measurable, positive student outcomes. His professional background and deep skillset are invaluable for preparing students for exciting, hands-on careers in modern manufacturing.
Nick Tomlin | Adjunct Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Marine Systems
Learn more about Marine Systems at IYRS!
Dan Linder '14 & '16 | Lead Instructor
Dan grew up in Duluth, MN near Lake Superior and always had a fascination with being on the water. Shortly after high school, he purchased his first sailboat and taught himself to sail. He became interested in learning how to fix everything on the boat so he wouldn’t have to hire someone to do repairs and upgrades he could do himself. After high school he worked full-time as the lead technician for his father’s electrical business which specialized in low voltage wiring, commercial audio and video, drive through systems, satellite installs, and other commercial electrical systems. Never one to sit idle, he also worked seasonally as a commercial fisherman in Alaska during the sockeye salmon run every summer in Bristol Bay.
After deciding to switch gears and fully pursue a career in the marine industry, he discovered IYRS. Dan graduated from the Boatbuilding & Restoration program in 2014 and the Marine Systems program in 2016. During this time, he also passed his Captain’s License exams and obtained a Master’s license with a sailing and towing endorsement. After graduating from IYRS, he worked on large-scale commercial projects including 3 new tug boats for Reinauer Transportation, the Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket ferries for the Steamship Authority, and the Governor’s Island ferry built at Blount Boats in Warren, RI.
With his electrical education and professional experience, Dan was recruited by Tesla where he spent three years before returning to IYRS to lead the Marine Systems program. Dan is an ABYC Master Technician, holding certifications for electrical, systems, and diesel. He is thrilled to be ‘back home’ at IYRS.
Greg Jones | Instructor
Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Greg Jones brings over four decades of experience in the marine trades. He began his career by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard shortly after high school, serving for 23 years and retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Greg spent a year aboard a NOAA vessel as a Chief Engineer and then more than a decade working on large drill ships as an electrical supervisor in India.
Greg joined IYRS as a marine systems instructor during the 2021–2022 academic year. For the past six to seven years, he has worked in New England as an overhead crane technician and superintendent. He is deeply committed to sharing the expertise he’s gained throughout his career and inspiring students to pursue careers as skilled technicians.
Greg holds a journeyman electrician license in Massachusetts and has previously held a Chief Engineer license. Outside of work, he enjoys playing blues harmonica as a self-taught musician.
John Volpe | Program Assistant,
John Volpe is a seasoned instructor in Marine Systems at IYRS, bringing over 40 years of hands-on machining experience to the classroom. Having run his own machine shop, he is dedicated to equipping students with the practical skills and knowledge needed for success in the field.
An IYRS alum, he holds an ABYC master advisor certification in Marine Electrical, Systems, and Diesel. He also holds a US Coast Guard Master’s License.
John is an avid commercial fisherman, former President of Jamestown Striper Club, and Board Member of Dutch Island Lighthouse Society. He creates a supportive, real-world learning environment for his students.
Lisa Van Gruisen '21 | Dean of Education
A former Fulbright English teacher and Teach For America corps member, Lisa Esposito earned her BA in Anthropology from Trinity College and a M.Ed in Special Education from the University of Hawaii. Lisa comes to IYRS with a variety of professional experiences crewing on classic sailing yachts and teaching in Hawaii, Italy, and aboard tall ships. As a graduate of the IYRS Marine Systems program, she is an ABYC certified Master Advisor in Electrical, Diesel and Marine Systems as well as an NMEA certified Marine Electronics installer. Having taught in both traditional and experiential educational settings, Lisa is passionate about IYRS's hands-on approach to learning and the invaluable life skills it provides. She is eager to help students discover their passions and begin fulfilling careers in the marine industry.