Leadership
Michael F. Dega, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer/President/Principal Investigator
Dr. Dega has conducted archaeological research in the Hawaiian Islands, western Pacific Basin, and Southeast Asia for twenty-seven years. His Ph. D. on Neolithic-period archaeological sites in eastern Cambodia was awarded from the University of Hawai`i – Manoa in 2001. Affiliations include the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology, World Archaeological Congress and the Society for American Archaeology, among others. Research focuses on upland settlement models in the Hawaiian Islands, early colonization and WWII-era sites in the Marianas Islands, and site formation processes. Dr. Dega is the Principal Investigator for SCS, overseeing much of the field work conducted by the company on all islands.
Oahu Staff
Guerin Tome, B.A.
Laboratory Director/Senior Archaeologist
Mr. Tome is the SCS laboratory director and oversees the processing and cataloging of incoming archaeological material. He has worked for SCS since September of 1999. His interests include food midden analysis, metal detecting, and military artifact analysis.
Pavel Stankov, M.A.
Editor
Stankov brings his experience in academic and journalistic writing and education to ensure that SCS reports meet the highest professional standards. He is pursuing a doctorate in Philosophy at UH Mānoa.
Chong Jin
Archaeological Technical Writer
Jordan K. Bentley, M.S.
Writer
William Duke B.S.
Writer
Brandon Grimison
Field Archaeologist
Brandon is a field archaeologist with a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida, specializing in archaeology. He began his career with a field school in the Turks and Caicos Islands and has since worked on projects across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Hawaii. Since 2023, he has focused on archaeological work across the Hawaiian Islands, including Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. A Roosevelt Medal Descendant, Brandon takes pride in continuing his family’s legacy of working with the land while contributing to a deeper understanding of human history.
Jensen Nihei
Graphic Artist & IT Manager
Jensen has worked for SCS since 2006 as a graphic artist/drafter and I.T. Manager. Previously Jensen has been in the computer graphics industry since 1994. He has worked for companies such as Konami Computer Entertainment Hawaii Inc., Mobicore LLC, and as the Co-Owner & Art Director for Five by Five, LLC.
Kaleiohu Lee
Web Person & Graphic Artist
Mr. Lee is a digital media professional and Unity developer. Samples of his work can be found on his website Imua.com which he has owned and maintained since the early 90s. He is also a Co-Owner and Creative Director for Five by Five, LLC.
Maui Staff
Ian Bassford, B.A.
Maui Island Manager
Born and raised in upcountry Maui, schooled in Hawaii, Mr. Bassford has worked as an archaeologist for SCS since 2003. His interests include surfing, horticulture, and petroglyphs. His archaeological expertise has given him the opportunity view the numerous petroglyph sites that are largely undocumented on Maui.
Derek Butler, B.A.
Archaeologist
Hugh Coflin
Archaeologist
David Stielow, B.A.
Archaeologist
Kauai Staff