Raymond J. Sander, President

Ray holds a M.A. in government and politics and served in the federal government for thirty-three-years, the majority as a Senior Service Executive. He began his public service at the Central Intelligence Agency and then served with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he became the assistant director of the Management and Budget Staff with oversight of the department's law enforcement agencies and programs. At the U.S. Department of Transportation, he was the director of the Office of Management Planning and executive director of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, where he was responsible for the management of the $4 billion budget and a staff of 250.

He later served as director of trade and commercial programs at the American Institute in Taiwan, where, he led more than fifty-five negotiations on financial services, investments, banking and insurance, and the protection of intellectual property. After leaving the public sector, Ray spent nearly a decade in the private sector in the area of international trade and business, working in East Asia, China, India, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe as the senior vice president, International Government Affairs, at New York Life Insurance Company and then as an independent consultant to Abbott Laboratories. Ray previously served as DBG's treasurer and vice president.

Carol McCloud, Vice President

Carol is Vice President of the DBG Board of Directors.  She is a Wilmington, DE native, is the former president of the Barefoot Gardeners Club in Fenwick Island and a State Life Member of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs.  Carol retired from W.L. Gore and Associates, Newark, DE where she specialized in Payroll & Benefits, Computer Software Implementation of both People Soft and Occupational Health Services.  She is SHRM certified in Human Resources & Payroll. Her community service for the Town of Fenwick Island focuses on beach dune preservation and Earth Day activities. She is also a member of the Fenwick Island Historical Group.

For several years, she has been a volunteer for Delaware Botanic Gardens, coordinates all Garden Stewards and Docent activities, is Chair of the DBG Speakers/Tour Bureau as well as the Nominations Committee.  She lives in Fenwick Island, DE.

Brent Baker, Secretary

Brent began his love of nature in the Boy Scouts, where he reached the rank of Eagle Scout. He has 45 years of Communication-PR experience.  He served on active military duty for 29 years, and retired as the Navy’s Chief of Information with the rank of Rear Admiral. Brent then served as a professor and the Dean of the College of Communication, Boston University.  When he retired, he was honored as Dean Emeritus.

He holds a BS in Communications from Northwestern University and an MS in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Brent brings his communications expertise to DBG serving as our Communications Advisor. He is a lifelong gardener and volunteers as one of the DBG Garden Stewards.

Dave Baker, Treasurer

Dave Baker has been appointed Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek (DBG). This marks his second tenure in the role, having previously served as Treasurer from July to December 2021. During that time, he was called upon by President Biden to become the State Director of Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With over 30 years of leadership experience in Sussex County Government, Dave brings a wealth of management and financial expertise to the DBG. His distinguished career includes 14 years as the Director of Finance and six years as the Sussex County Administrator. In addition to his public service, Dave has spent a decade in the private sector as a financial advisor with American Financial and Ballast Financial.

Dave has been an advocate for nonprofits and their role in strengthening the Sussex County community. He believes that the Delaware Botanic Gardens exemplifies the positive impact such organizations can have, both by enhancing the quality of life and by preserving the coastal environment. His connection to DBG runs deep, as he played a key role in the acquisition of the 37-acre Cannon Tract Farm, which later became the home site of the gardens.

Dave is excited to return to the gardens, where he joins a dedicated team working toward a shared mission of environmental preservation and community enrichment.

Holly Fluty Dempsey

Holly is an experienced change leader whose inclusive style is based on relationships and characterized by energy, drive, and enthusiasm.  She is the founder of ReWild DELMARVA to support pollinator and wildlife habitat by encouraging native plants and ecological landscaping.

Holly is a creative thinker with exceptional technical, operational, and management expertise. Her skill set includes value-based strategic development, team building, alliance partnerships, participatory program development / implementation / evaluation, public speaking, leadership and organizational capacity building, grant and contract design, procurement, management, and evaluation, and data and evidence-based decision making.

Holly served in the Peace Corps in Belize which began her more than 35-year career in international development of which 28 years were with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Prior to retirement from the Foreign Service in 2016, her career included living in six countries with significant work in 20 other countries and travel to more than two dozen additional countries.

Marco Antonio Hernandez

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Botanic Gardens, Marco brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to philanthropy. With a diverse background spanning international business, music, art, and a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others, Marco is poised to make significant contributions to our organization.

Marco began his educational journey at Pima College in Tucson, AZ, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors.  Armed with a bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English, he embarked on a remarkable career that has touched lives across borders and cultures.

Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Marco served as an accountant at Alu Contadores Publicos in Mexico City, an experience that fueled a passion for social responsibility.

Marco co-founded and co-owned the Made by Hand International Cooperative, a pioneering Fair-Trade organization headquartered in South Bethany, DE. For nearly three decades, he spearheaded initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices and empowering artisans from around the globe.

A talented musician, mastering a variety of instruments, Marco’s compositions promote cultural diversity and harmony.

Marco’s served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Diakonia in West Ocean City, MD, the DE Music School in Milford, DE, and Centro Cultural in Georgetown, DE. Now, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Botanic Gardens, Marco is poised to leverage his expertise in international business, music, and art to advance the organization's mission. 

Sabrina D. Hill

Sabrina is a Delawarean and Vice President of Atlantic Management, Ltd, where she manages and oversees commercial real estate. Sabrina is a Director at County Bank Delaware (2005-present). She is active in community service and former Board Member of The Children’s Beach House, Delaware Guidance Services, Rehoboth Beach Main Street and Rehoboth Children’s Summer Theater.

Her government service included: Office of the Delaware Secretary of State (1995-2001), Executive Assistant to the Secretary; Office of Governor Thomas R. Carper (1993-1994) Assistant to Director of Board and Commission Appointments; and Office of U.S. Representative Thomas R, Carper (1990-1992) Washington, D.C. Office.

Sabrina’s education included: University of Delaware, BA, Political Science (1990) and Wilmington College, MS, Public Administration (1999).

Susan Lyons

Susan is a native Sussex Countian, and has spent her entire life in Ocean View, DE.  With 37- years in the newspaper business, Susan is one of the founders of the Coastal Point, a community newspaper that started in 2003.  She is currently the publisher of that paper.  She has been a long-time member and supporter of DBG.  She was an early volunteer in the gardens and helped to plant the Meadow Garden.  Susan and Coastal Point have been very supportive of DBG’s public outreach programs.  

She served for ten years on the Board of the Maryland- Delaware -Washington, D.C. Press Association.  She served four terms on the board of the Bethany Beach-Fenwick Island Chamber of Commerce.  She was named the chamber’s business partner of the year in 2008 and was one of Delaware Today’s top businesswomen nominees in 2013.  She brings a vast business experience, service to community, and a love of gardening.

Mike Masciandaro

Mike Masciandaro is a retired professional with a distinguished 37-year career at Dow Chemical and Rohm and Haas Company, where he held a variety of roles that showcased his versatility and leadership. His expertise spanned several critical areas, including Project Management, Engineering Design and Construction, Purchasing, Product Marketing, Information Technology, and Business Intelligence and Analytics.

 At the time of his retirement, Mike served as the Director of Reporting and Business Intelligence, managing a global team of over 50 professionals. His leadership in this role played a pivotal part in driving data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency across the organization.

 Beyond his corporate career, Mike has been a dedicated public servant. He served on the Spring-Ford School District Board of Education in Pennsylvania for 11 years, where he made significant contributions as the Chair of the Transportation, Technology, and Finance Committees. He also held leadership roles as Vice-President and President of the Board, guiding the district through numerous important initiatives.

 In retirement, Mike continues to give back to his community through volunteer work and leadership in causes aligned with his passions for the environment, education, and community service. He is particularly active in local efforts to protect the inland bays and natural habitats. Mike and his wife, Sue, enjoy spending much of their time in their second home in Oak Orchard, located next to the beautiful Indian River Bay.

William McAvoy

Bill has been involved with DBG since 2014, when he participated in a key decision to revise the original DBG site plan that led to the current, visitor-friendly site. Bill also inventoried the plants and trees in our 12-acre woodland gardens, helped site the placement of our outdoor living classroom, and inspired the re-creation of the inland dunes.

A native Delawarean, Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology, with an emphasis on botany and vegetation management, from Delaware State University. He brings 30 years of experience studying the flora of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. He has been a leader in documenting the flora of Delaware with a focus on rare plant species.

Through the years, he has written many professional articles on the plant life and habitats of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. He is the primary author of and holds responsibility for annually revising the web-based Flora of Delaware Online Database.

Ryan Revel

Ryan is a retired Sussex Central High School Science Teacher and coordinated the 2018 visit to DBG for Sussex Central High School Juniors in the International Baccalaureate Science Program.

She has a proven record of Community Service and was a Founding Member of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity and is involved with Delaware Food Bank. She holds a BS in Biology and MS in Education/Instruction.

Ryan has devoted hundreds of hours of volunteer service as a DBG Site Manager, Tour Guide, Docent, key member of DBG's education committee, and a  key volunteer in completing the first major inventory of DBG's 12.5 -acre Woodland trees and scrubs.

Michael E. Riska

Michael holds an M.Ed in Natural Science from University of Delaware and has served as a science educator in Delaware for over 50 years before retiring from his role as Executive Director, Delaware Nature Society in 2011.  During his tenure as Executive Director at Delaware Nature Society (1984 – 2011), endowments grew from 300K to 18M and he oversaw program expansion to 35 staff members and 1000 volunteers. 
Over the years, Michael held positions as Associate Professor for the University of Delaware, teaching courses for teachers in Environmental Education and planning curriculums and special programs for Delaware youth.  He has been honored with several achievement awards including the Nature Conservancy Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2014 National Wildlife Federation Special Achievement for extraordinary contribution to the Conservation of Wildlife and National Resources. 

He currently serves as an Honorary Board member for the Delaware Nature Society, is a board member for Brandywine Baroque and serves on the Advisory Council for Delaware Center for Horticulture.  Michael and wife Angie's personal native plant garden was featured in Darke and Tallamy’s book “The Living Landscape” and he was a 15-year Blue Ribbon Winner at the Philadelphia Flower Show and Longwood Gardens Clivia Show where he presently volunteers.

David Small

David has been a member of the DBG Advisory Council since its earliest days and continues his role as Chair of the Advisory Council.  His outstanding leadership on the full range of ‘environmental’ issues has been a great asset to DBG.

David’s 30-year career at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) included 14-years as Deputy Secretary and three years as Secretary. His outstanding leadership was recognized by being awarded the Order of the First State, Delaware’s highest civilian honor. He is also the recipient of the 2016 Delaware Public Official of the Year by the America Public Works Association, and the 2016 Environmental Achievement Award from the Inland Bays Foundation. Mr. Small is currently a senior consultant at Verdantas, formerly Duffield Associates, a leading engineering and consulting firm with offices in Delaware and 29 locations across the country.

Karen Steenhoudt

Karen is the principal at Land+ LLC, a landscape architect firm in Radnor, PA. Karen is a licensed landscape architect and has worked on award winning projects in PA and DE. Karen teaches Landscape Design courses in the Barnes Horticulture Certificate program.

She has been a volunteer at DBG since 2018. She contributed to the design and building of the Inland Dunes Habitat Garden and the Living Shoreline Conservation Project at DBG. She holds a BS/MS in Bio-Engineering and Environmental Engineering from the University of New Mexico, and a MS degree in Landscape Architecture from Temple University.

Scott Thomas

Scott is Executive Director for Southern Delaware Tourism, the Convention & Visitors Bureau for Sussex County, DE.  He has over 13-years of experience in the tourism industry and serves on the Board of Directors for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee (SEDAC). 

Scott excels in the marketing communications arena.  He is the former Director of Sales and Marketing at The Inn at Canal Square in Lewes, DE and was the 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, DE.

LeDee Wakefield

For the last decade, LeDee has served as comptroller of family businesses, The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa / Krazy Kats, The Back Burner Restaurant and Everything but the Kitchen Sink Specialty Gift Shop.  In mid-2019, she became the managing director of this enterprise group.

As a native Delawarean, giving back to the community has always been a strong family value.  During the last several decades, she has served on five non-profit boards and has been an enthusiastic supporter of DBG.

Alison Willocks

Alison served as DBG Interim Treasurer and Treasurer from summer 2022 to fall 2024. She has been a volunteer at DBG since 2018, gardening and administering two DBG software systems (volunteer management and Point-of-Sale). Alison has 25 years of experience in SAP business system design and leadership / consulting for large organizations, including BHP Australia, Cap Gemini Sogeti, and Northrop Grumman as sector business intelligence manager.

A lover of nature, Alison ended her career with her dream employer – the National Park Service – leading their financial and business management systems. She holds a postgraduate degree in Accounting, and is a certified project lead in Six Sigma business process improvement methodologies.

Sheryl Swed, Executive Director

Sheryl’s past work includes experience in both the public and nonprofit sectors. She served the U.S government for more than 25 years in various positions, including work at the Commission on Civil Rights, International Women’s Year Commission, and U.S. Small Business Administration.

In the nonprofit world she served for eight years as elected president of the U.S. Committee on UN Women. A graduate of the University of Delaware and the University of Wyoming, Sheryl has had a summer home in Bethany Beach since 1986 and since 2010 has been a full-time resident.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council is a group of distinguished public and private-sector leaders who are assisting in the creation of the Delaware Botanic Gardens. They represent a wide variety of disciplines underpinning the garden's development and operation.

David Small,
Advisory Council Chair and Member of the Board of Directors

Dan Barbato Vice President, Pennoni Associates

Carol Bason
Holds an advanced degree and certifications in biology, environmental science/policy, and wetland management. Volunteered as a science advisor and grant writer to DBG since 2018.  Acquired several state-funded water quality grants that created the Rhyne Garden, the Living Shoreline, and the Green Technology demonstrations at the Restroom Facility.

Tom Bason
Former DBG Board member, provides technology consulting to many not-for-profit organizations and since 2017, has provided these skills to DBG.

Ron Bass
Former DBG Board member, 30 years management experience at the Social Security Administration, volunteered for over 10 years managing the Otterbein Community Park system in Baltimore

Sally Boswell
Former Director of Education and Outreach, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

Mark Carter
Director of Development, Center for the Inland Bays

Henry DeWitt
Founder, DeWitt & Associates, Inc.

David C. Doane, CPA
Has since 2002 been president of Jefferson, Urian, Doane & Sterner, P.A. He serves as a county adviser to the Delaware Community Foundation.

Todd Fritchman
Todd is President & CEO of Envirotech Environmental Consulting, Lewes. DE and has 28-years of experience as a Biologist/Environmental Consultant and Biology Teacher. He holds a BS in Biology and MS in Biological Science Education.

His company was the prime designer- contractor building the DBG “Wetlands Outdoor Classroom” as part of the Dogfish Head Learning Garden in 2018.

Shawn Garvin
Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)

Jeremy Hager President and Founder, The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care.

Lillian Harrison
President/Executive Director, Elevated Community Development Corp. and a Director of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council.

Hugh Leahy
Former executive, Delaware Community Foundation

Dan Levin
Director of Operations, Sodel Concepts

Diane Maddex
Award-winning architectural author and former DBG Board Member

Collin O’Mara
Director, National Wildlife Federation, and former secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Donald A. Rakow
Associate professor, Cornell University School of Integrative Plant Science, co-director of the Cornell Graduate Program in Public Garden Leadership, and coauthor of Public Garden Management

Elizabeth L. Rives
Earned a BA from the University of Virginia and a graduate certificate in Natural History Field Studies from the Audubon Naturalist Society.  She served as a financial services, communications, and policy professional for most of her career and later worked as an environmental educator & communications specialist at the National Park Service.  She has been a volunteer at Delaware Botanic Gardens since 2018, serving as a docent, tour guide and project leader for the woodland tree and shrub inventory.

Rodney Robinson, FASLA, PLA
Landscape architect and designer, including restoration of the Nemours and Woodburn gardens

Susan Ryan
Owner, Good Earth Farm and Organic Market, and past president, Delaware Botanic Gardens

Chris Strand
Charles F. Montgomery Director and CEO Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Doug Tallamy
Professor of entomology and wildlife ecology, University of Delaware

Marianne Walch

Environmental scientist, former Director of Estuary Science and Restoration, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

Claudia West
Planting designer and ecological sales manager, North Creek Nurseries, and coauthor, Planting in a Post-Wild World.

For more on these leaders, see Press Releases and In News Releases

Click here to see what they say about the Delaware Botanic Gardens >

Our leaders in print and on video

Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes – October 7, 2015
by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West (Advisory Council member)
This groundbreaking guide presents a powerful alternative to traditional horticulture—designed plantings that function like naturally occurring plant communities. Thomas Rainer and Claudia West, two leading voices in ecological landscape design, reveal how plants fit together in nature and how to use this knowledge to create landscapes that are resilient, beautiful, and diverse. As practical as it is inspiring, Planting in a Post-Wild World is an optimistic manifesto pointing the way to the future of planting design.

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Updated and Expanded –  2009
by Douglas W. Tallamy (Advisory Council member)
Bringing Nature Home has sparked a national conversation about the link between healthy local ecosystems and human well-being, and the new paperback edition ― with an expanded resource section and updated photos ― will help broaden the movement. By acting on Douglas Tallamy's practical recommendations, everyone can make a difference. His latest book Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats.

Public Garden Management: A Complete Guide to the Planning and Administration of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta 2nd Edition
by Donald Rakow (Advisory Council member) and Sharon Lee  
Public Garden Management is an all-in-one professional reference and textbook that clearly shows how to develop, establish, manage and maintain a sustainable (both economically and environmentally) public garden. Written by thirty leading experts, the book offers practical coverage of the relevant topics, with supporting case studies that show how the information can be applied with the help of line drawings and photographs that assist in conveying critical information.

Holly Shimizu's Video Guide to Growing and Using Herbs
by Holly H. Shimizu (former Advisory Council member), Directed by Richard T. Slade  

When this DVD was made, Holly Shimizu was executive director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., and remains one of the most knowledgeable experts on herb gardening. She has lectured extensively, has written on a variety of horticultural subjects, and served on the advisory boards of the American Horticultural Society and the American Botanical Council. Previously, Holly was the first curator of the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum and received the Herb Society of America's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Horticulture.

Available online from Amazon.com or local booksellers.