Board Officers

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President - Jonathan Herman: Sr. Architectural Designer at Diebold Nixdorf 

Jonathan Herman is a proud member of Beech Creek Botanical Gardens where he frequently visits with his wife Stacie and their two young daughters Alice and Eleanor. He has a passion for design, technology, and the outdoors. Jonathan brings to the board over 15 years of experience in education, technology, and architectural design. Mr. Herman graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Architecture and took part in the Denmark International Study program in Copenhagen. He was a member and president of Alpha Rho Chi. He received an MBA with a Management Track from Walsh University and was inducted into Sigma Beta Delta business honorary society. In 2020 Jonathan was part of the 33rd Class of Leadership Stark County.

 

Vice President - Robert George: Retired Journalist from Canton Repository

Bob and his wife, Nancy, live in Canton graduated from Central Catholic High School and Kent State
University. He is retired from The Canton Repository, beginning as a reporter, and concluding his career there as wire editor and page designer. He also served eight years as editor of publications at Aultman Hospital and three years as public relations director for Blue Cross of Canton and Blue Cross of Eastern Ohio. He has been a Beech Creek volunteer for two years.

                 
Treasurer - Nick Morris, Ph.D: Owner/Principal Kestrel Community Solutions LLC

Nick Morris Ph.D. is the Owner/Principal of Kestrel Community Solutions, a consulting agency focused onserving non-profit, public, and community-oriented organizations. He is currently working closely with TomTod Ideas for program evaluation, staff development, and strategic planning. His career spans K-12 education, parks and recreation management, youth development leadership, and non-profit development. Nick most recently served as the programming specialist for Arizona 4-H and as the Partner Relations Director for Arizona 4-H YouthFoundation. Additionally, Nick has served as an adjunct professor of Environmental Studies and Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management at Kent State University for 8 years. Currently, Nick teaches Environmental Education and Sustainability. His research interests are in the areas of education for sustainability, youth development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

  
Secretary - Abbey Chance
Abbey is a Client Executive at the Schauer Group.

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Board Trustees

 

Allison Allsopp: Special Education Tutor, Louisville Local Schools

Robert Frato: Retired Environmental Engineer, MS/HS Educator

Robert Frato is an Environmental Engineer who specialized in water and wastewater treatment for 34 years, working for the Ohio Department of Health as an Environmental Engineer, working for industry for eleven years as a Director of Research and Development, running his own wastewater consulting engineering business and working for other consulting and environmental remediation firms. He began a second career as a teacher and has spent 17 years in middle and high schools, specializing in science and math. Robert has a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State, a Masters in Environmental Science from the University of Cincinnati, and attended Mount Union for his teaching courses to obtain licensure in Ohio. He serves on the Board of Beech Creek Gardens. Robert has five children and 12 grandchildren.

Craig Sonntag: Strategic Implementation, Klais Company, Inc

Katelyn Vannoy: Veterinarian

Jeffrey Weltman

Advisors

Keith Kaiser
Chuck McClaugherty
Gerard Mastroianni
Thomas Moushey
Dean Pugh
Todd Pugh
       

Staff

Executive Director: Melinda Carmichael

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Education Director: Nancy Baker-Cazan

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Education Assistant: Jade Tomlinson

 

Assistant Manager: Jason Stephens
 

Assistant Manager: Tiffany Stephens

 

Marketing Director: Eric Ginanni

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Marketing Assistant: Colleen Dinan

Science Center Manager: Kim Brown

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Visitor Services Director: Sarah Carmichael

Development Director & Volunteer Coordinator:  Kaitlyn Cowley

 
Gardens & Grounds:

Jessica Scarnecchia

Donnie Newhouse

Kyle Stephens

Joe Vujas

Mollie McDorman

Administrative Assistant & Visitor Services: Makayla Reber

Master Craftsman: Mark Staib

Butterfly House Manager: Rose Nero

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Butterfly House  Assistant: Ashley Pennington

Accounting Manager: Gabe Neugebauer

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