Meet Our Team

Joel served in the Peace Corps in Jamaica from 2018 to 2020. He lived in St. Thomas (best parish on the Island), where he worked in the agriculture sector alongside smallholder farmers and community groups.

During the pandemic, he organized a fundraiser called the Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project, which was partially funded by the Friends of Jamaica. Joel joined the Friends of Jamaica team in 2022.

He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s degree from Boise State University. Joel enjoys rock climbing, photography, and traveling the world!

Liz Richards is an RPCV from Jamaica, Group 89, where she served as an Education Volunteer from 2018 to 2020, and first fell in love with community-focused work and sustainable impact. Now the Grants Manager (and sole grant writer) at Civic News Company, she channels that passion into securing funding for nonprofit local news that matters. She has an MFA in Writing from The New School, an MA in Engagement Journalism from CUNY, and is pursuing a Certificate in Fundraising from NYU. Originally from the Buffalo, New York area (Go Bills!), Liz lives in Brooklyn, where she balances work with baking experiments, slow-paced hikes, and hunting for unique thrift finds—all fueled by a steady stream of coffee.

Delvin Ellis is a Section Manager with over 20 years of experience in the energy sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan University and an MBA from Fordham University. Throughout his career, he has led transmission and distribution operations, managed large-scale capital projects, and driven long-term improvements in electric infrastructure. Known for his strategic planning, technical expertise, and commitment to developing high-performing teams, Delvin consistently aligns operational excellence with meaningful impact.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Delvin carries a deep understanding of the strengths and challenges within local communities. While his background is rooted in professional achievement, he is now committed to using those skills in service of others. His decision to join Friends of Jamaica is a return to his roots, a chance to give back to the same soil that once poured into him, with purpose, passion, and unwavering dedication.

Alyssa (Sperry) Bertrand researched from 2016 – 2020 across Jamaica in areas such as Bluefields, Westmoreland and the Blue Mountains. She researched Jamaica’s salt industry, focusing on the economic, cultural, and historical significance of salt on the diverse community of Jamaica, including salt’s relationship with Rastafari and Maroons.

Alyssa received her master’s degree at the Department of Global Studies at the University of Oregon and her bachelor’s degree at Washington State University in Anthropology and History. Alyssa has received numerous awards and grants for her research including the Oregon International Research Grant, Folger Shakespeare Library Scholarship, and Library Research Excellence Award at Washington State University. Alyssa is also a contributing writer to books Salt in Eastern North America and the Caribbean (University of Alabama Press, 2021) and Women Who Changed the World (ABC-CLIO, 2021). She also published an article in the World History Connected, “Eating Jamaica: How Food is Used to as a Tool to Create and Reinforce Cultural Identity,” (Vol. 18, No.1, 2021). 

Alyssa currently resides in Oregon with her husband Josh. She continues to maintain her connection to the island through lasting friendships and family she made while researching. Marrying into a Jamaican family, Alyssa continues to embrace Jamaican culture and history through stories and food. Speaking of, she can make a mean jerk chicken and beef patty –Jamaican approved!

Hello! My name is Adam Rhoads, I served in Peace Corps Jamaica from 2003-2007 as an environment volunteer in South Trelawny. Currently I serve on the FOJ Board as the Director of Membership. I live in Lincoln, NE with my wife, two daughters, twin boys and a whole heap of animals.

Riley Barnacastle served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Redwood, St. Catherine from 2012-14.  His primary project was focused on improving literacy and numeracy among students at Redwood Primary School.  He has previously served on the board of the FOJ in many roles, most recently as president.

He attended the Middlebury Institute of International Studies as a Coverdell Fellow where he completed his MPA.  He currently resides in San Francisco, CA where he works in Fintech.

Chris served in Jamaica from 2007-2009 as a community development specialist. Based in the town of Glengoffe, Chris advised a local civic group and implemented a string of projects in agriculture, small business development, environmental engineering, and rural water supply. During the second year of his service, Chris partnered with agricultural extension officers communities across NE St. Catherine parish, helping farmers organize into functioning groups and embark on similar projects. He also acquired a cat.

Chris moved to DC in 2010 and joined a congressional office as a legislative fellow, overseeing a portfolio including international development and LGBTQ civil rights. He found RPCVs in many other offices in the House and Senate and co-founded the Peace Corps Congressional Staff Association. He became involved with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. (RPCV/W) and oversaw fundraising efforts for the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Event at Arlington National Cemetery.

Chris joined the Board of RPCV/W in 2011 as Development Director and became Communications Director in 2012. He was elected President in 2015 and served until 2018. When Friends of Jamaica was rekindled in 2014, Chris joined as Treasurer and shifted to Membership Director in 2018 and in 2021 he became the Vice President.

David served in Jamaica from 2015-2017 as a Primary Literacy Advisor in the parish of Portland. Based in Bybrook district, David worked with Bybrook Primary school to improve its literacy instruction, develop a physical education curriculum, and led the track and field team to back to back Primary School CHAMPS appearances. David worked as a third year Peace Corps Volunteer Leader (PCVL) based out of Port Antonio working with volunteers and community organizations across St Thomas, St Mary, and Portland. He currently resides in Dallas, TX.