New board members join Delaware Botanic Gardens
Delaware Botanic Gardens President Ray Sander recently announced that Jeremy Hager and Scott Thomas have joined its board of directors.
Sander said, “Both Jeremy and Scott are devoted professionals who bring unique skills and enthusiasm to help drive our effort to Open the Garden Gates in September 2019.”
Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director, said, “I look forward to working with these two exceptional leaders who bring us an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to this legacy garden. Our nominating committee, co-chaired by Carol McCloud and Bob Batley, has done an excellent job finding nominees with vital skill sets that will help us.”
Hager is president and founder of the Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View. He is Sussex County’s only International Society of Arboriculture board-certified master arborist, and he has a passion for educating the coastal community about tree and environmental stewardship. Hager holds a master of science degree in entomology and a bachelor of science degree in environmental resource management and horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Hager has been actively involved in advising the DBG on how to preserve its 12-acre woodland while the gardens are under construction. He was National Arborist of the Year in 2008, and he serves on the United States Arboretum Strategic Planning Committee. He has continued his community outreach as an active public speaker and writer sharing his arboricultural expertise.
Thomas is executive director for Southern Delaware Tourism, the convention and visitors bureau for Sussex County. He has more than 13 years of experience in the tourism industry and serves on the board of directors for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee. Thomas excels in the marketing communications arena. He is the former director of sales and marketing for the Inn at Canal Square in Lewes and corporate events marketing manager for Acterna, a telecommunications company in Germantown, Md. He is a business school graduate of the University of Maryland and resides with his wife Tammy in Rehoboth Beach.
These new leaders join the board at a critical time as DBG is in the final countdown to Open the Garden Gates in September 2019. DBG has just completed its capital and end-of-year campaigns and reports raising more than $806,000 in 2018.
Sander said, “We want to thank everyone who is a friend and supporter of DBG. You and our devoted volunteers are making a dream become a reality. Please see the newest way to support the Delaware Botanic Gardens by sponsoring a beautiful bench. Go to www.delawaregardens.org/2019-bench-order.”
The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.
For more information, go to www.delawaregardens.org.
