Pat Englehard

President

Pat Englehard has been on the BISAC Board of Directors for 24 years and is its current President. She serves as Secretary for the Lyman House Museum, Vice President of the Friends of the Panaewa Zoo, Treasurer for the Haili Tournament and is a member of the Crime Stoppers Board. Pat retired after 20 years in County Government, with 2 stints as Director of Parks and Recreation and 8 years as the Housing Specialist for the Assisted Housing Program.

She also spent 18 years at the Naniloa Surf Hotel in various management positions, the last being Hotel Manager. Pat brings management experience with government agencies as well as private industry to the BISAC Board. “BISAC provides a much needed service to Hawai‘i Island not only with its substance abuse and mental health programs but with its training and prevention offerings.”

Catherine Kamau

Vice President

Catherine is the Senior Marketing Specialist at HPM Building Supply. She has been involved with New Hope Hawai‘i: Celebrate Recovery, Prison and Hula Ministries, Camp Agape Big Island, Camp Agape O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island Food Basket’s Hootenanny and ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu ‘Ekolu. “Hope,” said Catherine, is what inspired her to be on the BISAC Board of Directors. “Hope that my small part can help a hurting broken person become a healed contributor in our community.”

Catherine is an avid reader and a writer with strong commitment to engaging others in the possibility of a different tomorrow and assisting others in succeeding.

Richard Henderson

Treasurer

Richard Henderson has been on the BISAC Board of Directors for 26 years. He is the Managing Member of Advanced Wireless Systems, LLC and the President and Director of HSC, Inc. and its subsidiary companies. Richard’s background as a Certified Public Accountant, his 63 years in the business community and 17 years in the State Senate give him valuable insight that can lead BISAC in serving the community in the best way possible. 

In the community he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Lyman House Memorial Museum, Director of the Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board. He is a member of the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and the Hilo Yacht Club. “I serve on the board because I witnessed the problems of alcoholism and substance abuse in my own family, both as a child and as a parent.”

David Bishaw

Board Member

David Bishaw has been on the BISAC Board of Directors for one year. David is a Plant and Soil Scientist working for the U.S. Geological Survey as a contractor through RCUH-HCSU. His deep understanding of how drugs and alcohol can impact the lives of individuals and families helps to guide BISAC in a direction that always aims to serve the needs of the community.

“I’m honored to be a part of BISAC’s decision making process, and to assure organizational success through client success in battling addictions and behaviors associated with drugs or other related substance abuse.”

Dave DeLuz

Board Member

Danny Paleka

Board Member

Danny Paleka is a former Hawaii County Council member and the current operator of Da Log House Bed & Breakfast. For many years, Danny has been a huge support of the Big Island Substance Abuse Council. He has volunteered in many capacities and currently volunteers with Hui Malama Keiki an organization that helps children with severe illnesses. Mr. Paleka stated that he was inspired to participate as a board member because of “ seeing family and friends helped by BISAC.” During his free time he enjoys fishing, carpentry, and gardening. Danny indicated that his favorite virtue is loyalty and that his biggest hero is his grandfather.

Kim Sasaki

Board Member

Bill Walter

Board Member

Vanessa Carlson

Board Member

Born and raised in Hilo, Vanessa is a graduate of Waiakea High School, UH-Hilo where she earned her BA in communication, and Walden University where she earned her MS in nonprofit management and leadership.

Vanessa enjoys volunteering in her community and is an active member of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Social Committee as well as involved with the East Hawaii Kiwanis, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce as A Taste of Hilo co-chair, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event Leadership Team, and new member of the board of directors at BISAC. 

She is married to radio personality Darrin “DC“ Carlson and together they have two married children (Devin & Hannah; Noe & Jordan) and two grandchildren (Zhycen & Zhyler). When she’s not volunteering, she is helping support her grandson’s distance learning and dreaming up new ways to save the world...or reading a really good book.