Article IV of the Society’s Bylaws provides that there shall be seven (7) officers and four (4) representatives who comprise the Board of Directors of the Society. The Bylaws also provide that the board shall be elected by the membership. The officer’s positions consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Archivist/Alternate Secretary, Historian and Media Chair.
Lonnie Willis
Vice President and Acting Treasurer
Lonnie was born in Brooklyn and brought up in Long Island. She received a B.A. degree in American Studies with a minor in Social Work from the University of Buffalo, as well as studying Folklore and Folklife at the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband and two young children came to St. John in 1975 as the new owners of the St. John Car...
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Larry Wilson
Representative
Larry Wilson and his wife Joan became permanent residents of St. John upon buying their woodland home in the ridgetop forest of Bordeaux Mountain in June of 2011. They had first come to St. John exploring possible Caribbean locations for their retirement home, in 2003. Beginning with their 3rd visit in 2007, they stayed in the Coral Bay Quarter for 12 months over 4 years...
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Weldon Wasson
Representative
I was born in Oakland, CA, went to school there, married Ellie in 1978 and honeymooned in the Virgin Islands where we fell in love with St. John. We purchased an apartment on St. John in 1980 and a home in 1997. I co-founded a temporary IT staffing business in San Francisco and sold the business in 1996. I stayed on for three years during...
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Laurel Brannick
Representative
Laurel Brannick grew up in Brooklyn New York. She attended Brooklyn College and graduated in 1985, with a degree in Education and Recreation. Laurel always loved the water. Her nickname as a child was Laurel Pool, as she was usually in the pool as much as possible. Laurel’s first job in New York was as a lifeguard. She eventually also became a water safety instructor...
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Colin Hanson
Representative
I came to St. John from my hometown of Sitka, Alaska when I was 18 years old. Now, over 25 years later, I’m still here. To say I love the island is an understatement. It’s not just the culture, people, and history that I love. The actual Island gives me a certain undeniable peace. The history of the island has captivated me from day one. I’ve had so many mentors on...
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Kathy Hilliard
Representative
Kathy Hilliard moved from St Thomas to St John in 1979 to work on the restoration of the historic building that is now the Elaine Sprauve Library. She served as the Head of Pine Peace School from 1981 until 1994 overseeing the growth of the Gifft Hill campus, student population and initial accreditation. The family residence on Gifft Hill is considered home by her children...
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Board Advisors
Further, the board has, from time-to-time, found it desirable to appoint Board Advisors in order to ensure continuity and stability of the Society. This year we are pleased to include as advisors the following:
Rafe Boulon
Historian
Rafe is a St. Johnian whose family owned Trunk Bay from 1927 to 1957 when they sold it to the National Park Service. Windswept Beach remains in the family. He has a Bachelors Degree in Marine and Environmental Science from the College of the Virgin Islands and a Master’s Degree in Biological Oceanography from the University of Puerto Rico. He worked for 18 years at...
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Robin Swank
Armed with a college degree in Anthropology and Masters in Education, Robin proceeded to work in New York’s social services delivery system, Head Start, corporate risk management, banking and credit card services, and international funds custody and securities lending. A few cultural anthropology studies (e.g. impact of retirement on the sense of self, the use of cannabis in Jamaica, WI), were conducted along the way. ...
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Lorelei Monsanto
Representative
Lorelei Monsanto comes to our organization with the credentials of a longtime community organizer and activist. She is a proud Virgin Islander with deep roots in both St. Thomas and St. John. She is passionate about saving and sharing the culture, history and stories of St. John.
Dr. George F. Tyson
George is a historian, who is widely recognized as a leading authority on Virgin Islands history. Currently a resident of St. Croix, he has taught at the University of the Virgin Islands, served as Executive Director of the St. Croix Landmarks Society and is past-President of the Society of Virgin Islands Historians. He has served as a consultant to UNESCO, the Organization of American States...
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Elroy Sprauve
Mr. Elroy Sprauve was born and raised on St. John. His childhood home was on Cruz Bay beach. He attended Bethany School, and graduated from Charlotte Amalie HS. His father, Julius E. Sprauve, was the first elected Senator from St. John. Upon receiving his degree in Spanish and English from Thiel College in Greenville, PA., Mr. Elroy returned to the Virgin Islands and taught at ...
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Eleanor Gibney
A Virgin Islander and lifelong resident of St John’s north shore, Eleanor worked for Caneel Bay from 1979 to 1995, resigning from her position as Caneel’s Chief Horticulturist to raise her family. She is an expert on the indigenous and cultivated plants of the Virgin Islands, and the author of “A Field Guide to the Native Trees and Plants of East End, St. John.” Eleanor...
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