Jim Captain “Homer” HolmFounder
Captain Jim “Homer” Holm has been U.S. Coast Guard licensed since 1979, working for over 30 years in the maritime trades on various configurations of sail and motor craft including private luxury yachts, grand prix racing sailboats, marine research vessels, square-rigged training ships and fast rescue boats.
Captain Holm has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailed into the Mediterranean, North and Caribbean Seas, transited the Panama Canal, crossed the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii and back numerous times, and voyaged among many Pacific islands including Hawaii, French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, New Zealand and the Marshall Islands. Captain Holm’s management experience includes developing and operating acclaimed non-profit marine education programs for clients including O’Neill International and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, serving over 50,000 kids and 5,000 adults over the last fourteen years. He has also been a successful fundraiser for people with Autism. As Co-founder and Director of Operations for “Clean Oceans International”, Captain Holm is tasked with identifying and developing the technologies that will play a key role in removing destructive plastic marine debris from the world’s oceans. Captain Holm feels extremely fortunate to reside on the beautiful central coast of California where an abundance of marine education resources and an awareness of environmental issues has provided him the perfect platform to share his knowledge and passion for the health of the sea. He is excited to discuss marine environmental and educational issues and invites inquiries through your favorite medium. |
Gregg LynnExecutive Director
EMAIL: greggl@cointl.org
Hi, I’m Gregg. I’ve been a volunteer for COI for about 7 years. I joined this crusade because as Captain Homer believes so passionately our oceans need our help immediately.
My background is in airline operations and flight coordination. I’ve also served as Master Counselor and Treasurer for Fidelity Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, a masonic youth organization. I’ve been with Southwest Airlines for 24 years. In that time I’ve been involved in the performing, training, improving and supervising of flight coordination and logistics at San Jose airport as well as volunteering for and being invited to join numerous customer service initiatives and community outreach activities. Through this long and rewarding career I’ve been recognized with numerous accolades including agent of the quarter, perfect attendance, magazine articles and recently the Southwest Airlines Presidents Award. |
Claudia RochaInternational Relations Director
EMAIL: claudiar@cointl.org
Claudia Rocha is a lifelong sailor from tropical Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. She has become an important COI team member and her position as a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines makes her a natural for travel and international affairs manager.
Claudia has introduced the issue of plastic pollution to many of her colleagues at SWA and to different parts of the globe. All together they have been involved in annual beach cleanups and fundraising efforts on behalf of COI. |
Joey BryanWeb and IT Advisor
EMAIL: joey@cointl.org
Joey began volunteering at Clean Oceans International during his time as a student at UCSC. There, he acquired a BA in Environmental Studies and took an interest into GIS and mapping the Pacific Gyre.
Today, Joey does Web Design and Development in downtown Santa Cruz. He is the TCOP “tech guys” and webmaster. Along with a passion for technology and the web, Joey has a passion for the oceans, mountains, and cliffs of the world. |
Kathy DunlopProject Director EU
EMAIL: kathyd@cointl.org
Dr. Kathy Dunlop co-directs COI European operations with an aim to promote the use of plastic to fuel technology in Europe. Kathy began working with Clean Oceans International in 2014 and has been involved in beach monitoring training, plastic to fuel technology research and European expeditions. Kathy is also a marine ecologist in Arctic Research and Development at Akvaplan-niva, Tromso, Norway.
Her work in Norway and internationally focuses on the development and use of deep-sea autonomous technology and mathematical modeling to understand biogeochemical cycling in seafloor environments. Kathy is focusing on solution based marine research using technology and socio-economical modelling. |
Amanda TopsonProject Manager EU
EMAIL: amandat@cointl.org
Amanda’s experience includes project, programmer and portfolio management with the British Council for 18 years on a range of development contracts including the European Union, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the British Government’s Department for International Development.
Amanda has set up and maintained successful partnerships across many nationalities and cultures with a range of organizations such as government departments, NGOs, academia, consultants, suppliers, and high profile and influential individuals with extensive experience with delivery of all aspects of the project cycle. She has served as Project Director for DFID’s Global School Partnerships (2003/2013, GBP18M), which achieved a final evaluation rating ‘A+’, developing education components for teacher training and links between schools in the UK and in 60 developing countries around the world. Amanda was also Project Director for the EU-funded Iraq Education project (2009/2014, EURO8.5M) and with a MSc in Environmental Science focusing on waste management she has experience delivering environmental education – for example under the ‘Tomorrow Belongs to the Children’ project. As a member of the Baha’i Faith, Amanda applies spiritual principles to enable solutions for humankind’s continued progress and sustainability. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys sailing, travelling, and cooking. |
Kelly DuimProject Manager Brazil
EMAIL: info@cointl.org
Kelly is a born and raised Brazilian Nature lover from Niterói. She started her career marketing for companies like “Cantão” and “Redley”.
Kelly has been a COI volunteer since 2015 and our COI Brasil representative since 2016. She organizes local beach cleanup events bringing awareness to schools and many other locations in Niterói area. Kelly enjoys hiking and sailing or walking along Niterói beautiful beaches with a bag over her shoulder picking up trash. She is always ready to take care of mother “Terra” (Earth). We are very proud to have Kelly running Team COI in Brazil. |
Mark MarinovichMarketing Consultant
EMAIL: markm@cointl.org
Mark Marinovich was born in San Francisco, CA. Mark earned a BA in journalism and psychology at San Jose State University and became an avid scuba diver. He returned to The City by the Bay at the dawn of the dotcom era, where he worked in the building that Twitter now calls home. During the same period, Mark commenced a freelance copywriting career and has since written for many familiar brands and many more startups.
He has also served as a marketing communications and public relations executive for several companies. After the dotcom period, Mark moved to the Central Coast of California by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He studied screenwriting and wrote eight screenplays, several of which placed high in national competitions. He recently penned The White Boats, his first novel, which tells the story of a boy who risks life and limb to save a humpback whale entangled in plastic debris. Mark has volunteered with Clean Oceans International since 2012. |