Steven Merrill, the University of Hawaiʻi’s first-ever director of emergency management for the 10-campus system, brings decades of crisis management experience to his new role. Merrill joined UH in January 2025, following a distinguished 33-year career with the FBI, where he most recently served as the Special Agent in Charge for Hawaiʻi, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.
Since arriving at UH, Merrill has been focused on assessing existing emergency protocols and developing comprehensive continuity plans. He aims to establish a unified approach to emergency preparedness while tailoring strategies to the specific needs of each campus.
“It’s not a matter of if we’re going to have an emergency, it’s a matter of when,” said Merrill. “I want to ensure that the university system is as prepared as possible, so we can get through crises safely, with minimal disruption to our operations.”
One of his top priorities is creating a culture of preparedness, emphasizing regular training and engagement with faculty, staff and students.
“It’s not enough to have an emergency response plan sitting on a website or someone’s desk,” Merrill added. “My job is to sell the plan to all stakeholders, explain why it is important, and empower people to be prepared—not just for themselves, but for their co-workers and students.”
A career on the frontlines
Merrill’s career has placed him at the heart of some of the world’s most challenging crises. He was the first U.S. responder to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and managed the investigative response to the Merrimack Valley gas explosions in Massachusetts in 2018.
“I’ve always been drawn to situations that push me outside my comfort zone,” Merrill said. “Each response taught me valuable lessons I carry with me today.”
His broad experience also includes working extensively in the Philippines for the FBI at the US Embassy in Manila, where he studied the Tagalog language to better connect with local partners. He also led a high-profile corruption investigation involving a California mayor in the Bay Area and mentored new agents during the 2011 college admission scandal known as Varsity Blues, reinforcing his commitment to teamwork and accountability.
Looking ahead, Merrill believes that UH’s greatest strength in times of crisis lies in its core cultural values.
“What’s going to carry us through the crises is the spirit of aloha and ʻohana. I have real confidence in this university’s ability to make it through, because we have that spirit. I know that when times get tough, everyone will step up and do their part to help one another.”
—By McKenzie Kurosu
