Our Team
Our organization is powered by a unique bunch of caring individuals with a common goal of supporting our military veterans and their ʻohanas, local farmers, and our community. If that sounds like you, sign up to volunteer with us today!
Board of Directors
Dr. Jamie Muskopf
President | Dr. Jamie Muskopf is a proud Kanaka ‘Ōiwi educator, strategist, active duty Navy spouse, and mother of 3 from Kāneʻohe, Hawai’i.
With over 20 years of executive experience in technology and knowledge strategy, Jamie has worked for the Department of the Navy, Defense Acquisition University, MIcrosoft, and Nike. As an entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker, she has supported small businesses, non-profits, universities, and federal agencies. She is on the faculty of the Information and Knowledge Strategy master’s program at Columbia University. She is also a long standing volunteer subject matter expert for The Rosie Network’s Service to CEO program.
Jamie is passionate about caring for caregivers, serving those who serve, creating, writing, baking, laughing, and sharing time and energy with friends and ʻohana.
John Emmons
Secretary | John is a former school teacher who enlisted and served in the Army immediately following the 9/11 attacks.
After his Defense Department service, he returned to the land to find a new mission in service of those who serve our nation—our veterans and their families. He believes that providing natural agriculture education and training can positively benefit humanity and improve a person’s physical and mental well-being.
Jeanna Rimmer
Treasurer | Wife of a veteran and Realtor at Hawaii Life, Jeanna specializes in veteran-owned land purchases.
Jeanna has spent the last 20 years developing a well -rounded management perspective at several successful multi-million dollar global companies.
Jeanna’s passion to get back to the simpler things in life, brought her and her family to Hawaiʻi Island in 2014. She is reconnecting with the land and the community as her family focuses on becoming self-sufficient and sustainable.
Operations Team
Emily Emmons
Emily’s prior experience includes a career in marketing and sales, nonprofit management, and veteran advocacy on the national, state, and local levels. She has also participated in two Farmer Veteran Coalition National Conferences. As one of the founders of Hoʻōla Veteran Services, Emily was motivated by her husband who is a military veteran living with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. After taking up gardening, Mr. Emmons experienced significant positive changes in his health and psychological conditions, and the couple was inspired to provide this therapeutic opportunity to other veterans coping with PTSD and other conditions and hardships.
Since 2014, Emily has held influential positions, including service as a field representative for U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow. Through this work, Emily has been an advocate for veterans and their families living in rural areas and has developed a strong network of local, state, and national stakeholders who support Hoʻōla. Emily has been a speaker at the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes event, two Department of Defense conferences, and, most recently, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where—as a panelist—she dicussed transitioning military personnel and the role of the caregiver, along with the importance of supporting agriculture programs for veterans on a local level.
Katie Neil
Director of Operations | With a background in communications and impact-driven work, Katie supports organizational strategy, programs, and daily operations.
She started over five years ago in communications and has since grown into a role focused on grant writing and internal coordination. She enjoys the behind-the-scenes work that helps projects move forward and supports the team in staying organized and focused on impact.
Katie has a degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of New Mexico, where she also played soccer (Go Lobos!
).
Before this, she worked in digital marketing with small businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them share their work and connect with their audiences.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find her with her family at the beach, playing pick-up soccer, or gardening.
Tara Waller
FiM Program Manager | Tara channels passion for sustainability and experience in design and event management into making our programs a success.
After relocating to Hawaiʻi Island in 2015, Tara discovered her newfound desire to address the challenges of local food security and agricutlural sustainability on the island. Becoming part of the solution became her true focus. Hoʻōla Farms encouraged Tara to get involved and learn from the community what our food security challenges are and how we can do our part to bridge the gap.
Tara spent the next two years working and volunteering with local stakeholders like The Vet Center in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island Food Alliance, Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket, Blue Zones Project, Rotary Club of South Hilo, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s Campaign, as well as completing the Beginner Farmer Rancher Development Program with the Kohala Center in 2017.
Tara is excited to begin the mobile program working to educate veterans and their families to sustainably grow their own food and raise awareness that this simple process can be a healing one.
Haili Debus
Hawaiʻi Farm-to-Car Manager | Haili is a Hilo girl with a deep aloha for nature. She loves getting her hands dirty growing healthy food for her local community.
Aimee Kaaekuahiwi
Financial Administrator | Born in Hilo and raised on the Hāmākua Coast, Aimee is a proud veteran of the Air Force with 11 years served on active duty and in the Guard.
After living in England and Texas, Aimee returned home where she earned a BA in Geography from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Shortly before leaving the military, she discovered her passion for dog training and is currently working on completing her Professional Dog Trainer certification.
Aimee has had previous volunteer and internship experiences in geographic information systems, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and community outreach. She is a strong believer in finding healing and clarity through the great outdoors. As part of the Hoʻōla team, she is looking forward to providing support to fellow veterans on their journeys as they learn to heal and grow alongside nature. In her free time, Aimee enjoys reading, hiking, gardening and spending time with her pets.
Amanda Cox
Veteran Outreach | Amanda was born and raised in Northern California where she showed cattle and was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. She then went on to serve in the US Army as a Chemical Operation Specialist for 15 years.
After retirement, she came back to her husband’s (also a US Army Veteran) hometown in Keaukaha with their two daughters to start focusing on teaching their keiki how to take care of the land, raise their own food, and contribute to the community.
Amanda recently graduated from the Go Farm Hawai’i Cohort six and started a family farm in Panaewa Hawaiian homestead called Ikau Farms. When she is not working or getting her hands dirty, Amanda loves to spend time with her ohana, friends, and “ do as my sister Lisa said, “Be Happy Everyday!”.
Anthony Florig
BFR Program Manager | Anthony facilitates all of our agriculture and business workshops and courses.
Shelley Michael
Volunteer Work Flow Coordinator | Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Cory Stephenson
Logistics and Quality Assurance Specialist| Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.