The International Sea Glass Association (ISGA) is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to educate collectors, consumers, and retailers about genuine, pure, unaltered sea and beach glass. ISGA supports the sea and beach glass community through festivals, education, membership, and more.
The all-volunteer board of ISGA is comprised of individuals passionately involved with sea glass, either as their life’s work or favorite pastime. The board works to provide opportunities for beachcombers to meet with each other and share their knowledge, experience, arts, and sea glass discoveries. Board members manage the accounting, social media, festivals, memberships, communications, and the direction of charity donations. Events are made possible through the work of ISGA members, expert speakers, event planners, plus a team of volunteers who generously donate their time and talents to make every in-person and virtual event run smoothly.
We welcome you to contact us about joining an ISGA committee or the Board of Directors.
2025 Officers:
César Williams-Padín
President, Communications, Festival, and Membership Committees
César was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and started picking sea glass with his brothers at their parents beach house in the towns of Arecibo and Hatillo. Back then, it was mostly to keep filling his moms buckets and containers of glass. In 2016, due to the abundance of sea glass his family had found through the years, he started making jewelry with sea glass, adding some art to his collection later on. Although César enjoys making jewelry, he has found peace in the simplicity and cleanliness of his art that he makes for his business Silver Coqui Sea Glass. Additionally, he is a member of the Association of artisans and plastic artists in Florida and his art has been categorized as a product from Puerto Rico. As a member of the board of Directors, César shares his knowledge and participates in events where he can educate future enthusiasts of the value of pure sea glass.
Denise Troy
Vice President
Essentially, sea glass is the conclusion of the remarkable story of a grain of sand’s wondrous journey. The beginning of the story starts when one grain of sand is combined with millions of other grains (plus soda and lime in a man-made process that dates back thousands of years) and glass is born. Eventually, some of that glass finds its way to the ocean in the forms of bottles, window panes, marbles or many other various glass products when they are carelessly discarded by man. Nature has a brilliant recycling plan for that article of glass. With all its power and majesty, the ocean tumbles these now broken and jagged shards into magnificent sea glass gems. Then, in due time, the ocean lovingly presents its treasures back to the sand from which it was created years before. That original grain of sand has come full-circle. Like that grain of sand, each piece of sea glass has its own history. With some knowledge and detective work, all sea glass can be traced back to specific time periods and original forms. I love the mission of ISGA because it seeks to preserve the integrity of genuine sea glass in my work and business Surfside Sea Glass. It is the exact reason why I was drawn to it and make it my own mission to educate others about it.
Holly L’Hommedieu
Secretary, Membership Committee
Holly L’Hommedieu is the artist/owner of HL Sea & Beach Glass Jewelry since 2003. She learned all of her jewelry techniques by reading, videos, and though years of practice. Holly works with a variety of media, local sea glass and sea glass from all over the world. She enjoys most of all working with a customers personal shard of sea glass, creating a wearable work of art that has a story behind it. Holly has been a life long sea glass collector, taking advantage of living on the East End of Long Island, New York and is blessed to live a short distance from Peconic Bay, Long Island Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. She is now selling her creations on her website: HL Sea Beach & Glass Jewelry, consignment shops and art/ craft shows. Holly also works as a Registered Nurse in a local Hospital not far from her home and has used sea glass collecting and jewelry making a therapeutic outlet from her nursing profession. She also finds inspiration making Cancer Awareness Jewelry for cancer survivors and their families to give them a sense of comfort during their most difficult time in life.
IMAGE COMING
Michelle Konkle
Treasurer
I grew up on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, and the ocean, along with all things beachcombed, are in my blood! My husband and I own West Coast Glass Floats, and became ISGA members last year. As we are a different sort of sea glass business, I think we can help grow membership and attention through additional channels. I believe I would be a good fit as I have more than ten years experience on various boards, in executive and non executive roles. I also have 25 years of management experience, and am a project manager.
2025 Board of Directors:
Rex Nockengust
Festival Committee
Over 23 years ago I created Beach Glass Bingo with my husband Gene Allen, and have been traveling the country ever since doing 20 to 25 art shows a year, representing and educating people about sea glass wherever I go. As a full time sea glass artist I may bring a different perspective to the board with an emphasis on helping members from a business perspective, in addition to supporting all of ISGA’s missions.
Stacey Biggs
Communications Committee
Growing up with a family beach house in New Jersey, Stacey developed a deep love for beachcombing at an early age. Countless summer days were spent walking along the shoreline, collecting sea glass, shells, and other treasures gifted by the ocean. This early thrill of discovery remained with her and continued to evolve over time.
Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and extensive experience in the luxury jewelry industry, Stacey combined her professional expertise with her enduring love of beachcombing to found Stacey’s Sea Glass Shop. Through this endeavor, she takes pride in sharing the International Sea Glass Association’s mission of education and advocating for the importance of genuine, unaltered sea glass.
Engaging with sea glass enthusiasts is one of Stacey’s greatest joys, whether at in-person shows or through social platforms. She is passionate about serving the sea glass community and looks forward to continuing to share, learn, and promote this timeless art form.
Rolande Andrews
Communications Committee
Rolande, better known as Ron to her friends, is a retired Executive Director of Assisted and Independent Living Facilities in NH. She was fortunate to grow up near the ocean and to live in Maine on Ferry Beach where her love affair with sea glass began and never stopped. In 1996 she decided to share her love of sea glass with others. After taking classes from the NH League of Craftsman and from the NH Art Institute she established Beachcombings Studio. Her goal has been to offer unique pieces of sea glass, shell or stone with others and to convey through her art the peace and tranquility that one finds when combing the beach. As a member of the ISGA board of directors she hopes to be able to contribute in some small way the lessons and insight that she has learned along the way.
Board Roles
Directors
The board of directors is comprised of seven to nine Professional Members of the International Sea Glass Association. Board members meet monthly to guide the overall policy and direction of ISGA. They are all volunteers serving two-year terms, and are eligible for re-election for up to five consecutive terms. Annual elections are held in November each year to fill vacancies on the board and elect new board members to replace members who have termed out or resigned. Directors are elected by the majority vote of Professional Members. Directors are asked to join at least one committee during their board service.
President
The president is the head of the board. The president partners with leadership to promote the organization. The president conducts board meetings and ensures that the board’s directives are implemented and monitored. The president calls and conducts meetings of the executive committee, which consists of board officers. They create committees and appoint committee chairs. The president collaborates with the board, committee members, and members to carry out the organization’s mission and ensure the accomplishment of goals. The president reviews reports and records, and directs members in their roles. They are also instrumental in hiring and supervising contractors.
Vice President
The vice president is prepared, at all times, to assume the role of board president, if necessary. The vice president, whose knowledge and commitment mirrors that of the president, may serve in the president’s place for board activities and in the capacity of spokesperson. The president may delegate special assignments to the vice president, who also works closely with the board, committee members, and members to carry out the president’s vision and directives.
Secretary
The secretary provides members with required meeting notices, prepares agendas, and provides guidance on proper meeting procedures. The secretary takes minutes at board meetings, or designates a person for the task, and reviews and distributes the approved minutes. The secretary prepares and maintains board records, such as minutes and committee reports, and ensures the accuracy and security of the records. The secretary is prepared to assume the leadership role when the president and vice president are unavailable.
Treasurer
The treasurer serves as the financial officer. The treasurer applies their knowledge of accounting to monitor finances, while directing the preparation of financial reports and summarizing the reports for the board. The treasurer works with other board officers to develop financial plans and prepare the organization’s budget. The treasurer reviews the annual audit and tax forms, and presents the financial material to the board.
Committees
Committees are assigned by the board to work on specific issues facing the organization. The Executive Committee is comprised of the four officers and meets as needed to address overall association business. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, and the annual budget. The Communications Committee oversees communications with the community through emails, the website, social media, and advertising. The Festival Committee oversees management of the festival, including planning, execution, and promotion, working closely with the Festival Director. The Membership Committee develops goals to manage membership benefits and to increase membership.
Nominations
Professional Members can nominate themselves or any other qualified candidate to be on the Board of Directors or serve on a committee by contacting the board president. Elections are held at the end of each year.