Board of Directors

Gordon K. Haist, Chair, Ethics Board of Directors: Philosophy Professor at the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, 1974-2013. Retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and then served as USCB’s interim Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs from 2013 to 2016. He was a friend and colleague of Howard Radest, founder of the HHI Ethics Society. Areas of specialization in addition to ethics include aesthetics, ancient philosophy, and postmodern thought. 

Paul Weismantel, Director and Communications Chair: Brooklyn born and raised in NY, with stops in Indiana, Florida, Texas, and NJ. After education in Engineering and Business Management Paul worked for over 35 years in product management roles with a variety of multi-national, mid-sized, and start-up providers of systems, hardware, and software in the communication and information sector around the globe. He and his wife Susan retired to South Carolina in early 2016. He volunteered as a mentor for small businesses with Low Country SCORE for 4 years, speaks on several topics regularly for Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head, and leads a neighborhood committee organizing community & social activities for 300 friends over the last 7 years in Sun City Hilton Head.

Isam Sakati, Director and Sergeant-at-Arms:  Born in Damascus, Syria. College and Medical School at the American University of Beirut, General Surgery residency at Cleveland Gen. Hospital - Case Western Reserve University, Urology residency at the New York Hospital-Cornell and Norfolk General Hospital at University of Eastern Virginia. Practiced urology in Utica and Rome, New York for 30 years. Retired to Hilton Head Island 19 years ago.

Neil Funnell, Director and Program Moderator:  At IBM Neil worked in the International Division, primarily in Latin America and the Far East. Was Director of IBM’s Higher Education Grants Program when he retired. Has served as President and Treasurer of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head.  Education: BSIE Lehigh University, MBA New York University.

Betsy Doughtie, Treasurer and Program Moderator: Betsy grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and after spending 3 years with her Air Force husband in Wiesbaden Germany, moved to Hilton Head in 1970. From day one she was involved in the community: helping in her church, her son’s schools, the hospital auxiliary, St. Mary Human Development Center, Hilton Head Humane Association, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and the Art League of Hilton Head. Betsy started a Gourmet To Go Catering business, and shortly after it closed in 1995, she was chosen as the executive director of The Deep Well Project. She retired from Deep Well in April of 2018.

Henry (Hank) Noble, Director and Program Moderator: Hank Noble received his BBA from Baruch College, NYC, his MS from Hofstra University on Long Island and served in the US Army Reserves from 1962 to 1968.  He then worked as a salesman and a teacher. Hank became a school administrator in Long Island and Westchester County, NY.  Hank moved to Sea Pines in 1979 and moved to the Crescent in Bluffton 20 years ago.  He became a school principal and executive principal for Hilton Head Elementary School and retired from school work in 2002, serving as an educational technology consultant and presently works as a travel agent.  Hank is active in the Rotary Club of HHI, World Affairs Council, Congregation Beth Yam, and serves as a Krum Foundation Trustee.

Emeritus

Steve Asheroff: After finishing graduate school in Philadelphia, Mr. Asheroff joined the Real Estate Finance Division of PNC Bank. He spent 25 years in the banking business, finishing as Executive VP with NatWest Bank's U.S. operation in New York.

Joe Fox: Graduated from St. John’s Prep and St. John’s University, Brooklyn, NY and began work at IBM, 1956. Worked on Air Traffic Control Program, lecturing on management at IBM and the CIA. 1976, left IBM and started own Software company, which was sold in1998. Retired, residing on Hilton Head Island since 2000.

William H. (Bill) Harris: Bill was a Fulbright Fellow and guest Professor of History at the University of Hamburg and subsequently in West Germany. He taught and conducted research for a decade at Indiana University, from which he received his PhD. For three decades before retirement to Hilton Head Island, Bill served as president of a number of colleges and universities.

Peter Laman: Born in Philadelphia, PA. Education: College and University of Delaware and Temple University. 21 years in the Industrial supply business. 17 years in the banking business. Retired and living on Hilton Head Island.

Fran Heyward Bollin:  Except for two 2-year stints in other parts of the country, Fran has lived in the Bluffton area all of her life. She retired as editor of The Island Packet after a long career in journalism. Since her retirement she has written regional history books and served on several nonprofit boards.

Kenneth Nykiel, Director: Owner & partner in Nykiel, Carlin & Company, LLD, for over thirty years; sold his practice to Clifton Gundrson, LLD and remained as partner until his retirement in 2008. Served seven years as member and chairman for two years of the Illinois CPA Ethics Society. A Hilton Head vacation/condo owner many years before building a home  in 2003 and becoming a permanent  resident in 2008.  Ken holds a BBA degree from Loyola University and MBA from Northwestern University.

John Patten:  Currently, John is Chair of the HHI/Ethics/Hilton Head High Debate Team committee. His 50-year career in the food industry began in sales/marketing, progressed to management and executive positions. He worked in a consultancy practice to the food industry in the last 10 years of his career. Education: BSJ, University of Kansas, MSJ, Northwestern University.  

In Memoriam

Marion Conlin, Director and Program Coordinator:  Former nurse, cooking teacher and food writer, came to Hilton Head in 1993 from Minnesota, by way of Texas. After 9/11 she became active in the World Affairs Council, serving on the board of directors for ten years and as Program Chair for 2 years. She served our Society with distinction and left a lasting memory of her curiosity and her character as reflected in her motto, "Seek not to be understood but to understand." She passed away in 2022.

Gerry Schroeter: Neurologist in Huntington and Glen Cove, NY from 1965-1997. Retired to HHI, chaired and served on Alzheimer R & R (Memory Matters) Board. Most recently he served as Chair of the Neurology Department at Volunteers in Medicine. Co-chaired HHI Ethics with Neil Funnell since the departure of founder Dr. Howard Radest. He passed away in 2024.