New DBG Leaders

For immediate release January 8, 2019

Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that DBG has added two new leaders to its Board of Directors - Jeremy Hager and Scott Thomas.  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.”  She also said, “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 to “Open the Garden Gates” in 2019.”

Jeremy Hager

Jeremy Hager is President and Founder of The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View, DE.  He is Sussex County’s only ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, and has a passion for educating our coastal community about tree and environmental stewardship.  Jeremy holds a Master of Science Degree (Entomology) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Environmental Resource Management, Horticulture), from Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

Jeremy 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 2008-2009, and is a United States Arboretum Board member, serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.  He has continued his community outreach as an active public speaker and writer, sharing his arboricultural expertise.

Jeremy Hager Photo by ray bojarski

Jeremy Hager
Photo by ray bojarski

Scott Thomas photo by ray bojarski

Scott Thomas
photo by ray bojarski

Jeremy Hager

Jeremy Hager is President and Founder of The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View, DE.  He is Sussex County’s only ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, and has a passion for educating our coastal community about tree and environmental stewardship.  Jeremy holds a Master of Science Degree (Entomology) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Environmental Resource Management, Horticulture), from Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

Jeremy 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 2008-2009, and is a United States Arboretum Board member, serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.  He has continued his community outreach as an active public speaker and writer, sharing his arboricultural expertise.



Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas 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.

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 over $806,000 in 2018.  President Ray 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.