Get To Know Our Amazing Team
Jeffrey Dunster, CEO
I received my academy training, my commission in the U.S. Army, and my degree in Business from Norwich University in 1982. Thereafter, I served in the Hawai‘i National Guard as an officer and helicopter pilot and loved every minute of it.
When I was too young to know any better, I became a stock broker, and later, a partner in a brokerage firm with offices stretching from Honolulu to Düsseldorf. After retiring from the securities business in 1990, I began a small Mergers & Acquisitions consulting company with my longtime friend and business partner, Darrell Fox. Over the years, we have had the privilege of consulting for more than two dozen companies worldwide and from many diverse industries. Our expertise in the inner workings of public companies even allowed us the privilege of heading two large shareholder actions in which we successfully removed entrenched corrupt management and restored fiscal controls back to the shareholders.
As cliché as it sounds, however, my most challenging and rewarding job has been that of a dad. I have five young children who mean everything to me. As any parent can tell you, the single most important thing you can do for your children is to be a good example. It is so important that we instill in them a moral compass, one that balances personal goals with personal responsibility. I see the condition of our planet today and it saddens me. It is clear that some members of our own generation and those who came before us, lacked that type of character and have in turn, placed a huge burden on your children and mine.
No single act will repair the environment and no government will ever be able to legislate morality by passing laws. It’s simply up to each one of us to make right choices and to pass on that legacy to our children. Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods was created to allow a new generation of socially responsible individuals an opportunity to secure financial independence for themselves and their loved ones while helping the planet in the process.
William Gilliam, CIO
Though I have held many interesting positions and have been a part of some amazing projects, nothing in my life has been as fulfilling as my work with HLH.
As Chief Information Officer, my duties include mapping all of the planted trees and fields, managing the collection and flow of our data, developing our software platforms, and overseeing our RFID program. These activities have allowed me to develop a communicative relationship with our young forest. As a result, I am very attached emotionally to these trees. It is deeply satisfying and very exciting to see the expanse of our project first-hand as more people visit us to plant trees, invest in sustainable timber, or just enjoy the surroundings of a new Koa forest.
Franklin Patrick Williams, Field Biologist
Raised in New England, Patrick moved to Hawai‘i in 2008 to attend UH, where his love for the outdoors pushed him to pursue an Agriculture degree. In time, his passions for hunting and hiking brought him deep into the upper mauka forests where he first became interested in Hawai‘i's native plants. Joining with HLH in 2011 allowed him the perfect venue to turn this hobby into a career and he hasn't looked back since. Part rancher, part hunter, part forester, Patrick has a unique understanding of the land on which we operate and is constantly striving to learn about and help perpetuate the amazing history of Kukaiau and the mana'o of generations that came before. Taking on the great responsibility to protect and nurture the land and its history is not something he takes lightly and he is excited to be a part of a new chapter for the ranch.
Betsy Maler, Legacy Tour Concierge
As manager for the Legacy Tree Program, I network with individuals and businesses that understand the importance of hardwoods and the reforestation mission and share in the goal of perpetuating the gift of giving back to the earth for future generations.
A professional in Hawai‘i’s residential, commercial, and industrial real estate community, I bring a wealth of experience to Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods, from property management, investment sales and acquisitions to consulting and leasing.
I received my education in the field of nursing. With that knowledge, I developed a hospital management billing company resulting in increased revenue and awareness of compliance for nurses, physicians, and billers.
As a mother of two children, I believe strongly in the importance of community service and family values. My daughters and I have been involved in mission work serving to educate and assist in building living compounds and help improve conditions for orphans in many developing countries, prevailing over limited resources and language barriers. This privilege to serve has allowed me to experience the importance of helping others. My children have taken an active role in mission work, creating lasting friendships affirming our belief that when goodness is done, greatness is achieved.