Leadership & Staff
Powell Gardens employs a diverse staff to maintain, grow, promote and evolve the Gardens and the organizational vision and mission.
Tabitha Schmidt
CEO/President
Tabitha Schmidt joined Powell Gardens in the summer of 2016 as CEO and President. She has important goals for her work at the Gardens, including growing the organization in meaningful ways that invest in a long-term, sustainable future. She has extensive background in non-profits and educational institutions, having held such positions as the Director of Cultural Arts at the Jewish Community Center, Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University, Director of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, Associate Educator of Adult Learning/Manager of Tour Programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Director of Instruction/Arts Partners Coordinator at Kansas City Young Audiences and Student Activities Coordinator/Adjunct Art and Art History Faculty at Maple Woods Community College. Tabitha earned a B.A. in Art from Baker University and an M.A. in Art History from UMKC.
Susan VonGretzinger is the Executive Assistant to the President- svongretzinger@powellgardens.org
Board of Directors
Dick Brown, Chair
Jay Longbottom, Vice Chair
Tom Isenberg, Treasurer
Beth Bader, Secretary
Nicholas K. Powell
Perry Atha
Beth Bader
Clay Barton
Lynne Brown
Kevin Childress
Courtney Earnest
Amy Eckhoff
George M. Guastello II
James (Jim) Houx
Tom Loveall
Mark McCasland
Larry McMullen
Anne Riker Powell
Wendy J. Powell
Emily J. Matteson
COO
Emily Matteson joined Powell Gardens as COO after over 9 years at a fundraising firm in Lawrence, KS. A KU graduate, Emily calls Lawrence home with her two, 10-year-old boys, Memphis & Felix and partner of eight years, JT Mueller. P.Nut, the family’s ornery chihuahua, has been a member of the family since 2014. Raised in a small, farming community in south-central Kansas, Emily feels working for the Gardens helps get her back to her roots.
Susan Mertz
Director of Horticulture
Anthony Lovercamp, Senior Gardener, Grower, Production & Greenhouse
Brent Tucker, Horticulturist, Seasonal Events & Visitor Center Display Beds
Bryan Boccard, Senior Gardener, Kauffman Memorial Garden
David Breedlove, Designer, Garden Installations & Special Events
Donna Covell, Horticulturist, Production & Greenhouse
Duane Hoover, Horticulturist, Kauffman Memorial Garden
Eric Perrette, Horticulturist, Heartland Harvest Garden
Eric Wagner, Gardener, Heartland Harvest Garden
Gabe Perry, Horticulturist, Grounds & Natural Resources
Haley Drake, Lead Horticulturist, Heartland Harvest Garden
Iris Connolly, Gardener, Core Gardens
Janet Heter, Department Coordinator, Horticulture
Matt Hockaday, Senior Gardener, Core Gardens
McKenna Bowman, Gardener, Core Gardens
Travis Freeman, Lead Horticulturist, Core Gardens
Kristy Peterson
Director of Education, Interpretation & Outreach
Bobi Hallak, Volunteer Coordinator
Mark Sharp, Coordinator, K-12 and Family Programs
Emalie Wance, Coordinator, Education Department
Molly Kenney
Director of Development
Hali Mieser, Coordinator, Development Events
Sarah Raffurty, Coordinator, Development Services
Kalie Hudson
Director, Visitor Experience & Marketing
Dale Dolash, Custodial Supervisor
Dina Brumitt, Custodial Assistant
Hannah Kloster, Assistant Manager, Special Events
Erin Parish, Coordinator, Special Events
Roland Thibault, Visitor Services Representative
Ron Gartman, Custodial Assistant
Domanique Ramirez, Special Events Assistant
Wayne Nevils, Special Events Assistant
Maintenance
Dave Wilson, Maintenance Assistant
Mark DeBrot, Electrician
Troy Young, Supervisor, Maintenance
Tyler Young, Maintenance Assistant