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!
Bob Lacovara | Lead Instructor
Bob Lacovara is a pioneer in the composites manufacturing industry, having served for twenty years in various leadership roles for the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the industry's leading trade organization. Bob is also the founder of Convergent Composites, a company that specializes in composites manufacturing/materials optimization, management, training and education, and forensic services. Bob is the co-creator of IYRS' Composites Technology program curriculum and its lead instructor.
Bob has been responsible for helping shape the composites industry, having originated and developed the Certified Composites Technician (CCT) professional development program that has certified over 3,000 professionals, and has consulted for many composites manufacturing companies worldwide. He serves on the CCT workgroup which continues to evolve the standards. Bob was inducted into the Composites Hall of Fame in 2010 for providing “a lasting impact that is forever felt by industry professionals.”
Bob has served on the ACMA Board of Directors and was the recipient of the ACMA President’s Award for Outstanding Industry Service. He has also served as editor of the Composites Research Journal, Operations Manager for a major marine manufacturer, and General Manager of a corporation producing transportation and aircraft components.
He is a graduate of Rowan University.
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.
Cass D’Amico, ‘21, ‘23 | Program Assistant, Composties Technology and Digital Modeling & Fabrication
While working for a submarine manufacturer, Cass was looking for a change of pace from her physically demanding job. She enrolled in IYRS’s Composites Technology program, discovered a passion for computer aided design, and then followed up with IYRS’s Digital Modeling & Fabrication program. In lieu of an externship in the Digital Modeling program, she did an independent learning project teaching Rhino commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design application software. This evolved into her current role as Program Assistant for Composites Technology and Digital Modeling & Fabrication where she instills a passion for CAD to future composites technicians, CNC programmers, designers and machinists.
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!
Cass D’Amico, ‘21, ‘23 | Program Assistant
While working for a submarine manufacturer, Cass was looking for a change of pace from her physically demanding job. She enrolled in IYRS’s Composites Technology program, discovered a passion for computer aided design, and then followed up with IYRS’s Digital Modeling & Fabrication program. In lieu of an externship in the Digital Modeling program, she did an independent learning project teaching Rhino commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design application software. This evolved into her current role as Program Assistant for Composites Technology and Digital Modeling & Fabrication where she instills a passion for CAD to future composites technicians, CNC programmers, designers and machinists.
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.
Spencer Dodds '21 | Program Manager
Spencer was raised in Vermont where he became a multifaceted tradesman and came to Newport, RI to transfer those skills to a career in the marine trades. Spencer’s passion for creativity has shaped his career path, leading him to have a variety of fabrication and restoration projects under his belt. Spencer strongly believes in IYRS’s non-traditional higher education path and is a graduate of the Marine Systems program holding an ABYC Master Advisor certificate as well as a NMEA 2000 Installer certification. He believes in the transferability of technical skills and education. While working with his hands is Spencer’s career, he also pursues restoration of cars, motorcycles, and boats in his free time.
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 Esposito '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 recent 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.