Membership questions?
Contact us at speaks@dsbg.org
or (704) 829-1284
John Searby
Interim Executive Director
searby@dsbg.org
John Searby – Interim Executive Director
My name is John Searby and my passion for the outdoors influences everything I do. I grew up bird hunting with my grandfather in Central Illinois and while attending Milligan College in Johnson City, TN I began hiking, mtn biking, camping, and fishing. After completing a bachelor’s degree in English and History and a Master’s degree in English, I embarked on a 10 year college basketball coaching career before leading teams in corporate sponsorship sales, marketing, and advertising for 10 years. In 2019 I left corporate America to get my personal passions more aligned with my professional pursuits and became the Executive Director of Catawba Riverkeeper, where I still serve in addition to my work here at the Garden.
My role at the Garden is to lead our team of outstanding professionals to develop a place where the public can experience and engage with nature in ways they’ve never imagined. I am also leading the organization into and through its Long Range Strategic Plan which will develop exciting new opportunities for the public to be inspired by the full 400 acres that the Garden occupies. In my dual role with Catawba Riverkeeper and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, I am working to develop a model of shared leadership where both organizations can expand their mission work and together impact the environment in the Charlotte region in ways that neither could do alone.
Debra Plosky
Director of Visitor Experience
plosky@dsbg.org
Debra Plosky – Director of Visitor Experience
My name is Debra Plosky, and I am the Director of Visitor Experience. I am a native of New Jersey but truly call Belmont, NC home. My family moved here in 1978 and I attended Belmont Central, Belmont Junior High, and South Point High School. After high school, I attended North Carolina State University where I studied Sociology, Anthropology, and Chemistry. The one thing I did not study, although I should have, was business.
I have always had a knack for problem solving and numbers, so it was not a huge surprise when I managed the local Subway in Belmont when I was only 17. In my 30+ years in the work force, I have worked in large department stores, like the Belk in SouthPark to small Mom and Pop retail operations, like If It’s Paper. In 2009, I became the Store Manager of a nonprofit fair trade retail store in Greenville, SC and my passion and commitment to nonprofits and volunteerism started there. In 2017, I took over as the Director of Sales at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. 2020 saw a lot of change for many of us, including myself so I made my way back home. I enjoy volunteering within my community and sometimes outside my community with groups that have a shared interest. I joined Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as Garden Store Manager, then transitioned to Guest Services Manager to my most recent job title. The thing I love most about my job is working with, and engaging with people. I enjoy seeing new faces visit the garden and take in the beauty. I enjoy talking to members and hearing their take on the garden, past, present, and future. I enjoy working with an amazing staff and volunteer base, that bring it all together.
Jason Bonham
Director of Horticulture
bonham@dsbg.org
Jason Bonham - Director of Horticulture
My job here at the Garden encompasses maintaining and enhancing the outdoor gardens. That involves everything from caring for the gardens extensive plant collections to making sure the fountains are up and running. My main task though is to help support the horticulture staff so that they can continue to do the amazing work that they were doing before I arrived.
The best part of my job here at the Garden is that every day there is something new and exciting. It may be building straw bale mazes one day and learning how to hang holiday lights the next. One of my favorite parts of the garden is the allee of Burr Oaks, Quercus macrocarpa, that line the front entrance. They have just dropped their large acorns that are topped with a cupule or cap that is covered in shaggy scales.
Tracy Smith
Director of Administration
smith@dsbg.org
Tracy Smith - Director of Administration
Hi! My name is Tracy Smith, and I am the Director of Administration. I am a native of North Carolina, growing up in Waxhaw, and eventually moving to Belmont in 2008 with my husband and our daughter. I received my undergraduate degree in liberal studies from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and a master’s degree in human resources from Western Carolina University…go Catamounts!
I have commuted to Charlotte for work for over 25 years so when the opportunity became available to become part of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden team, I didn’t hesitate. As a resident of Belmont, I was very familiar with the beauty of the Garden and its offerings and knew that I would feel right at home. Working in the same town where I live was important to me, it’s a way of giving back to my community.
Prior to my current role, I served as the Human Resources manager for Johnson & Wales University as well as the Director of Human Resources for the United Way of Central Carolinas. While most of my experience is directly related to Human Resources, I have always had a knack for all business functions such as finance, risk management, compliance, and project planning and oversight. This position allows me the opportunity to do all of that and more.
I enjoy working with this amazing team and appreciating the nature and beauty of the Garden, knowing not to take any of it for granted as I feel so fortunate to be part of the team.
Jessica Collins
William H. Williamson, III, Orchid Conservatory Manager
collins@dsbg.org
Jessica Collins - Orchid Conservatory Manager
As Orchid Conservatory Manager, I care for our extensive collection of orchids and tropical plants and am responsible for our rotating displays and exhibits. Although our orchid collection consists of thousands of specimen plants, I’m always excited to acquire new orchids for our collection. I love designing the displays and making the environment feel natural, but awe-inspiring.
I look forward to visitors getting to experience our newly renovated conservatory and exploring some of our highlights. These include our silk floss tree, our living wall, and our resident chocolate tree, but there are so many other fascinating sights as well!
Scott Bradley
Facilities Manager
bradley@dsbg.org
Scott Bradley - Facilities Manager
My name is Scott Bradley. I retired in 2021 from York County Government in South Carolina after 28 years in Facilities Maintenance, the first two years as a maintenance technician and the last 26 of those as the supervisor. I was responsible for planning and designing, as well as overseeing improvements of company projects.
After I retired, I was looking for a job that would challenge me and introduce me to new opportunities. I found that when I was hired by Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as the Facilities Manager. The responsibilities are similar, but on a smaller scale. The repairs here must be done in a timely manner to keep the gardens safe for the visitors and the employees.
I had never experienced the Christmas lights at Daniel Stowe until I started working here. I enjoyed watching the visitors and their families as they strolled through the gardens viewing the lights.
Rebekah Veen
Private Events Manager
privateevents@dsbg.org
Rebekah Veen - Private Events Manager
Bio coming soon!
Caroline Silver
Public Events Specialist
silver@dsbg.org
Caroline Silver - Public Events Specialist
Bio coming soon!
Faith Bezant
Garden Store Manager
bezant@dsbg.org
Faith Bezant - Garden Store Manager
Hi there! My name is Faith, and I am the Garden Store Manager. Though I am originally from Livonia, NY, my heart has been spread across many states! Growing up in a small rural town led me to my love of nature and the peace it brings. From a very young age, I would use the woods around me as an adventure out of reality. I would stay outside until my mom called me in for dinner, even though I would insist I could live off the land. As I got older, I outgrew that small town and needed to explore new places. When my Husband and I met in 2015, we both wanted to see more of the world, so we left our jobs and traveled in a small rental car for 7 weeks around the United States. It was a life-changing experience to see vastly different geographies, without leaving our own country. This trip propelled us towards not only wanting to visit new places, but to live there and immerse ourselves in the culture. We moved a year later to New Orleans, followed by Asheville and we have now been in the Charlotte Metro Area for 3 years.
I have worked in retail since 2010 and have been in retail management since I was 20 years old with a mission to bring out passion in others. I began working at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in 2019 as Garden Store Manager. Shortly after, the pandemic hit. It was a perfect time to reconsider my own passions. I am now doing the three things I love the most: attending nursing school, traveling, and working at this beautiful botanical garden! I love my coworkers and the dedication they have to the garden, as well as the beauty and life of the garden we work at.
My favorite season at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is fall. Something about the crisp air, crunch of the leaves and dewy drops each morning transports me to my childhood autumn memories. Each season at the garden holds something special for everyone who visits. My favorite part about working at a nonprofit is the enormous difference you can make every day within the community and the healing that comes with it!
Lori R. Galster
Exhibition Event Manager
galster@dsbg.org
Lori R. Galster - Exhibition Event Manager
My name is Lori Galster, and as the Exhibition & Event Manager here at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, I’ve had the pleasure since 2019 to be a part of the Garden’s vision to create an inspiring, unforgettable experience that instills a love of nature and its beauty. I knew I wanted to be a part of that vision after my first visit with my family after relocating from Texas the year before. I have to say that I have the best job in the Garden being able to showcase the Garden events and exhibits that the Garden hosts, such as a couple of my favorites, Scarecrow Hollow and Holiday Lights. I am excited about some of the upcoming events throughout the year such as Fairy Fest, Wreath Making, Bluebird houses, Bee keeping classes and many more.
When I’m not busy planning the next event, you can usually find me in the Garden working with the Horticulture team, tending to the maintenance of the Garden. In August, you can find me in a tree somewhere in the Garden, putting Christmas lights up!
In the few years that I have been here, I have had the opportunity to engage with members, volunteers, and visitors from all over the country, and even other parts of the world, and the single best part of my job is to hear about their Garden experience. Whether it is the holiday lights or just a day trip through the Garden, those comments are a constant reminder to me of why I am so grateful to be a part of the Garden’s vision.
KimberlyAnn Perry
Manager, Executive Office & Volunteers
perry@dsbg.org
KimberlyAnn Perry - Manager, Executive Office & Volunteers
Bio coming soon!
Brittney Speaks
Membership & Visitor Services Manager
speaks@dsbg.org
Brittney Speaks - Membership & Visitor Services Manager
Hi! My name is Brittney Speaks and I am the Membership and Visitor Services Manager. I am a native to Gaston County and grew up in McAdenville, better known as “Christmas Town, USA.” I graduated from Ashbrook Highschool and now reside, with my family, just over the state line in Clover, SC.
With 12+ years in the hospitality and customer service industry, I have always enjoyed helping and serving others, making connections, and building relationships with people. My position at the Garden allows me the privilege of getting to know our members and visitors, providing them with information about the Garden and membership, and the opportunity to connect with both our community and nature. Ensuring that every member and visitor feels that they are taken care of and informed means the most to me!
When I was in elementary school, we took a field trip to The Garden, and I was amazed and captivated by its beauty. Remembering the fun of running under the tunnel fountain and the magnificent view of the stained-glass dome in the Visitors Pavillion, to now being able to work in the community I grew up in is truly special. My favorite part of my job is the people I get to meet, the longtime members who have been with DSBG since the very beginning, and watching others create long lasting memories here at The Garden.
My favorite quote from Daniel Stowe is this, “I believe it is my duty as a preservationist to safeguard open spaces rather than create congestion and development.” Safeguarding these open spaces and the plants and wildlife within them is a mission statement that I take to heart and makes working here more than just a job!
Lori Wilhite
Visitor Engagement Manager
wilhite@dsbg.org
Lori Wilhite - Visitor Engagement Manager
Hi! I am Lori Wilhite and have been with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden since 2019, currently serving in the capacity of the Visitor Engagement Manager. I am an experienced educator with over 20 years in the education field with different areas of focus including creative curriculum and hands on learning for young children. My educational experience, skills, and passion for working with children have helped me to expand the Garden programs, management of butterfly exhibit and community outreach programs like our holiday community trees.
When I am not at the Garden, I enjoy spending my time with my husband, three children and my dog. I also like spending time in my own garden and participating in numerus outdoor sports.
