Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Anne Harris, President
J.D., University of Kansas
M.S. Botany, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.S. Biology, Emory University
B.A. Biology and Chemistry, Florida State University
Anne has held biological and ecological research positions at the North Carolina and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and most recently served as VP of Environmental Services in Black & Veatch Engineering’s Energy Division. She has a lifelong interest in environmental regulation, analysis & education and has co-authored two life science text books and a biology lab manual.
Sims Preston, Vice President
J.D., Duke University
B.A. Philosophy, Columbia University
Sims was the Chairman and President of Polyglot Systems, Inc. from November 2010 to March 2017. Prior to joining Polyglot, he spent 14 years as a lawyer, both in private practice and as in-house counsel. The Garden has been a special part of his family for three generation, stoking his interest in the natural world and sustainability. Sims currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill.
Jenny Routh, Secretary
B.A. Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jenny joined the NCBGF to support NCBG’s vital conservation work. In addition to the NCBGF, Jenny has served on the Board of Visitors for Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Executive Committee of the UNC Parent’s Council, and the Greensboro Symphony Guild.
Nathan Byrd, Treasurer
M.B.A., UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
B.S. Mathematics Economics, Wake Forest University
Nathan is an advisor at Hamilton Point Investment Advisors. He was drawn to the NCBGF by his passion for North Carolina’s wildlife and natural wonders. Nathan is also involved in the Rotary Club and the Eagles Nest Foundation.
Harriet Martin, Assistant Treasurer
Harriet grew up in Conway, South Carolina in the midst of her father’s gardening hobby. She watched her parents’ delight over their success with hybrids and trees that they planted during early World War II. Harriet has previously served as NCBGF Secretary and Vice President and currently serves on the NCBGF governance and executive committees.
DIRECTORS
Brie Arthur
B.A. Landscape Design, Purdue University
Brie has more than a decade of experience as a grower and propagator and now shares her knowledge and passion by communicating the value of gardening across the U.S. She is the author of the best selling book The Foodscape Revolution and is the Vice President of Gardenuity, a direct to consumer online gardening company.
Terry M. Ball
B.S. Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Terry M. Ball is the owner of T M Ball, Inc, a firm specializing in financial management solutions for real estate property management and other small businesses in Greensboro, North Carolina. She‘s previously served on the NCACPA board, the New Friends Refugee Chairperson at Westover Church/Summit Rotary Club and the treasurer of the NCNPS among other positions. She looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren at their annual camping trip.
Patrick Barratt
B.B.A. Marketing, Georgia State University
Patrick is an avid outdoorsman and environmentalist. He lived and worked in Colorado for 10 years and enjoys hiking, camping, and mountain biking. He has over 10 years of experience in marketing and sales and is passionate about the local environment, conservation, and sustainability.
Catharine Burns
J.D., Washington & Lee University
B.A. Architectural History, University of Virginia
Catharine is an attorney who has worked for the National Parks Conservation Association and McGuire Woods National Trust for Historic Preservation. She directed a national coalition of diverse organizations, including many conservation groups. Catharine supports NCBG as a place of education and delight for all ages. She serves on the NCBGF development committee.
Melissa Cain
M.S. Library Science and English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.A. English and Creative Writing, University of Iowa
Melissa is the former Director of External Relations for the UNC School of Information and Library Science. She has a lifelong interest in gardens, trees, plants, and all things poetic. Her favorite hobby is reading cookbooks with color photographs of plated food. Melissa also serves on the NCBGF governance committee.
Chip Callaway
M.S. Landscape Architecture, North Carolina State University
Chip is the founder and owner of Callaway and Associates, which specializes in residential, hospitality, and historic garden design. He owns a turn of the century bungalow in Greensboro that was the childhood home of legendary botanist William Lanier Hunt. Chip has previously served as NCBGF Vice President.
Carey Durham
B.S.B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carey is the retired CFO/Director of Corporate Services at Hospice of Randolph County, Inc. He plays piano, organ, and trombone and has performed in several community theater musical productions. Botany was his favorite elective at UNC-Chapel Hill. A CPA, Carey also serves as chair of the NCBGF audit committee.
Pam Heavner
B.A. Fine Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Pam is a lifelong gardener and has worked as an interior designer for over 30 years, including work for the White House flower shop. She is a longtime UNC volunteer, giving her time to the UNC Women’s Leadership Council, SECU Family House, UNC Women’s Hospital, and Ackland Art Museum. Pam serves on the NCBGF development committee.
Bo Howes
J.D., North Carolina Central University
B.A., Denison University
Bo is the Director of Conservation and Stewardship at Triangle Land Conservancy. He loves birding and is past president of the New Hope Audubon Society. Bo serves as chair of the NCBGF conservation committee.
James Joslin
M.A. Demography, Georgetown University
B.A., Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
James has decades of experience in rental property management as well as experience in federal government and the non-profit sector. He was drawn to the NCBGF by his interest in preserving biodiversity in the southeastern United States and the desire to increase NCBG’s visibility in Chapel Hill. James is the chair of the NCBGF development committee.
Max Leach
M.F.A. Poetry, University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop
B.A. Anthropology, UNC
Max Leach is a Google consultant and assists them with manage their digital agency relationships. He has almost 30 years of experience in digital marketing, production and development with stints as head of e-commerce for MTV Networks and Tommy Hilfiger. He enjoys running and poetry, and in 2018 he won the North Carolina Poetry Society’s Carol Bessent Hayman Poetry of Love Award.
Alice May
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Alice has worked as an advertising copywriter at textbook publisher Allyn & Bacon in Boston and as a freelance photographer for major New England magazines, newspapers, and the Associated Press. She loves gardening and while living in Champaign-Urbana her garden was chosen best garden in a Master Gardener’s sponsored contest. Alice serves on the NCBGF development committee.
Janis McFarland
Ph.D. Plant Physiology, Purdue University
M.S. Plant Pathology, Purdue University
B.S. Biology, Virginia Tech
Janis has more than 30 years of experience in science, agriculture, conservation initiatives, and environmental and agricultural policy. She recently retired from Syngenta as the Head of North America Regulatory and Stewardship for Crop Protection. Janis and her teams have been leaders and collaborators on a wide range of research, education, stewardship, and conservation initiatives with universities, grower, conservation and government groups, and other partners to improve regulatory science, agricultural practices, water quality, pollinator habitats, invasive species management, and endangered species protection. She loves to hike, kayak, fish, and to study plants, invasive species, and ecosystems.
Susan Moeser
D.M.A., University of Kansas
Susan Moeser is the University Organist and instructor of Organ at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has performed throughout the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, and South Korea. Her hobbies include beekeeping, tennis, and running.
Florence Peacock
M.A. Music, Yale College
B.A., Hollins College
Florence is a professional singer and voice teacher who is dedicated to supporting the arts through her work with Playmakers, the North Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Opera, and Carolina Performing Arts. She is passionate about the Garden’s work with children by providing a great environment for them to explore and run. Florence serves on the NCBGF finance committee.
Jim Pick
D.V.M., University of Georgia
Jim is retired from a career working for the National Academy of Sciences and the UNC School of Medicine. He was on the board of directors for the Conservation Trust for North Carolina for many years and chaired their land protection committee. Always interested in the natural world and land protection, Jim is a member of the NCBGF conservation committee.
Judith Rizzo
B.A., Emmanuel College
M.A., Middlebury College
Ph.D. Education, Leadership in Schooling, University of Massachusetts
Judith is retired from a career in education, most recently as Executive Director and CEO of the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University. Prior to that, she was Deputy Chancellor for Instruction of the New York City Board of Education, and Deputy Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools. Judith is a longtime supporter and advocate for the Garden and its mission and serves on the NCBGF governance committee.
Sandy Thompson
B.S.B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sandy works in insurance industry, currently at USI in Charlotte and at Wells Fargo Insurance Services for decades before that. Sandy serves on the NCBGF finance committee.
EX OFFICIO
The Vice Provost for Academic and Community Engagement and the Director of the Garden are ex officio members with the power to vote. The President of the Garden Club of North Carolina and the past presidents of the Foundation are ex officio members without voting power.
Joseph Jordan, Interim Vice Provost for Academic and Community Engagement, UNC-Chapel Hill
Damon Waitt, Director, North Carolina Botanical Garden, UNC-Chapel Hill
Heidi Sawyer-Clark, Garden Clubs of North Carolina
HONORARY DIRECTORS
In recognition of significant service to the Foundation or contributions of other nature, the Board of Directors has appointed the following individuals as honorary or emeritus directors.
Bob Broad*
Claire Christopher
Arthur S. DeBerry
Muriel Easterling
Marcella Grendler
Sandra Brooks-Mathers
Ken Moore
Anne Lindsey
Nancy Preston
Missy Rankin
Stephen Rich
Tom Scott
Sally Couch Vilas
Barbara Wendell
PAST PRESIDENTS (1967-Present)
1967-1969 William Lanier Hunt*
1970-1975 Hugh Morton*
1976-1979 Harry Billica*
1980-1983 E. Reid Bahnson*
1984-1985 R.B. Fitch
1986-1987 Mae Woods Bell
1988-1991 Charles L. Wheeler*
1992-1993 Bill Joslin*
1994-1997 Sally Vilas
1998-2001 Jonathan Howes*
2002-2005 Arthur S. DeBerry
2006-2009 Bill Bracey
2010-2013 Anne Lindsey
2014-2015 Tom Earnhardt
2016-2019 Greg Fitch
*Indicates deceased.
