Leadership & Staff

Powell Gardens employs a diverse staff to maintain, grow, promote and evolve the Gardens and the organizational vision and mission.

Senior Executives

Cody Jolliff, CEO

Donna Young, COO

Board of Directors

Ellen Fairchild

Kristopher Dabner, Board Chair

Mary O’Connor

Doug Nelson

Lyn Lakin

Bruce Monke

Nick Powell

Ruthie Rinehart

Kirstin Salzman

Jason Schnurr

Susan Spencer

Guy Swanson

Justin White

Celine Armstrong

Chris Hawkins

Emeritus Board of Directors

Perry Atha

Carl Chinnery

David Gale

Robert Gourley

Jeanie Latz

Jay Longbottom

Larry McMullen

Wendy Powell

Clyde Wendel

Administration

Rikki Hays Clawson, Director, Human Resources

Tacey Beard, Specialist, Administration

Campus Services

Debora Williams, Campus Superintendent

Christopher Heller, Lead, Campus Services

Heather Lawrence, Assistant, Campus Services

Zoey Bartlett, Assistant, Campus Services

Bradley Jeffrey, Utility Assistant

Michaela Raygor, Campus Assistant

Colonial Farms

Alan Platz, Plant Health Specialist

Richard Johnson, Crew Member

Elijah Klenklen, Crew Member

Patricia Kurth, Accountant

Dakota Lepker, Senior Lead, Greenhouse

Abigayle Lett, Crew Member

Dylan Martin, Crew Member

Lindsay Martin, Crew Member

Theresa Mesa, Crew Member

Anna Murrow, Retail Store Manager

Seth Osborne, Site Manager

Abigail Pacas, Crew Member

Shari Palmer, Crew Member

Nanette Park, Crew Member

Gerardo Plata, Operations Foreman

Lucy Johnson, Crew Member

Nicole Pung, Customer Service Team Lead

Jayden Rex, Operations

Les Richardson, Receiving Coordinator

Hazel Schwope, Crew Member

Ruth Small, Crew Member

Kylie Smith, Crew Member

Jon Stroebele, Nursery Operations Manager

Jessie Taylor, Crew Member

Jessica Tinder, Events Manager

Robert Whitmer, Director, Retail Operations

Brenda Wilson, Systems Lead

Brittany Wolgamott, Nursery Operations Coordinator

Braden Young, Maintenance Assistant

Craig Zwahlen, Crew Member

Jason Elledge, Crew Member

Collin Arbuckle, Crew Member

Don Archer, Nursery Sales Specialist

Jasen Ballenger, Sales Account Representative

Kassidy Beal, Crew member

Anna Beck, Crew member

Payton Bishop, Operations Coordinator

Cameron Bowman-Rice, Crew Member

Briana Buck, Crew Member

Sophia Burnett, Crew Member

Claire Bushey, Crew Member

Robert Candy, Crew Member

Paul Carillo, Driver

Brian Davis, Maintenance Assistant

Anne Derleth, Crew Member

Kylie Ackerson, Crew Member

Everardo Flores Solis, Crew Member

Hermogenes Flores Solis, Crew Leader

Jordan Garbs, Sales Account Representative

Olivia Grainger, Crew Member

Stacy Gratwick, Visual Merchandiser

Pablo Guevara, Operations Crew Member

Valarie Halsey, Crew Leader

Michael Hanavan, Maintenance Assistant

Katelyn Harris, Crew Member

Diana Hatcher, Crew Member

Virginia Hayes, Crew Member

Hannah Hitterman, Crew Member

Deborah Hugney, Crew Member

Pablo Isai Guevara, Operations Crew Member

Development

Amanda Tempel, Manager, Membership & Volunteer Programs

Sharon Ramsey, Chief Development Officer

Marty Arvizu, Specialist, Events and Programs

James Healy, Specialist, Corporate Partnerships

Kristy McNeil, Specialist, Development & Diversity

Education

Julie Wise, Coordinator, Education

Stacey McCune, Coordinator, Education, Seasonal

Horticulture

Eric Perrette, Lead Horticulturist, Production, Design, and Team Lead

Matt Hockaday, Horticulturist

Naomi Chastain, Lawn Technician

Brent Tucker, Lead Horticulturist

Heather Clenin, Plant Records Registrar

Christian Van Matre, Horticulturist

Charlie Perrette, Seasonal Gardener

Justus Behler, Gardener

Lauren Swearingen, Senior Gardener

Dan Wicks, Gardener

Dustin Shroer, Gardener

Katie Metclaf, Gardener

Cady Brunner, Gardener

Marketing

Laina Burdette, Manager, Marketing & Communications

Property & Facilities

Mark DeBrot, Manager, Property & Facilities

Fletcher Carlile, Maintenance Lead

Dave Chastain, Assistant, Maintenance

Braden Young, Maintenance Assistant

Security

Bobby Cox

Dale Dolash

Wayne Nevils

Wayne Smith

Visitor Engagement

Moira Mullen, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Lilly Ogle, Coordinator, Private Events

Roscoe James, Bartender

Arian Weber, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Oliver Weber, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

MaKhi Thurman, Specialist, Visitor Engagement - Programs and Event Support

ScottLyn Clawson, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Sarah Dill, Coordinator, Visitor Engagement - Events

Destiny Valluzzi, Lead Coordinator, Visitor Engagement - Events

Ken Marcotte, Tram Driver

Gary Miller, Tram Driver

Jill Kennedy, Visitor Experience

Kathleen Corbin, Visitor Experience

Kaitlyn Young, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Martina Villaruel, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Lydia Runyon, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Paula Elledge, Director, Visitor Engagement

Kyleigh Marley, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Sheryl Malloy, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Maria Koenig, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Rhonda Ireland, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Becky Hodges, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Will Hanson, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Reilly Hash, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Austin Brown, Seasonal Visitor Experience Representative

Jamie Runyon, Manager, Visitor Engagement-Programs, Festivals and Signature Events

Roland Thibault, Lead, Visitor Experience

Rhonda Schulte, Visitor Experience

Robyn Weber, Manager, Visitor Engagement-Visitor Experience

Wayne Nevils, Special Events Assistant

Shelley May, Special Events Assistant

Dark Forest opens THIS WEEKEND. 🌲👻

Powell Gardens and @quixoticfusion invite you to experience the woods in a whole new way, with eerie performances, captivating music, creative technology, and plenty of surprises.

🎃 October 16–17, 22 (21+), 23–24, and 30–31

Tickets are limited. Purchase online in advance at the link in our bio.

Thank you to @boulevard_beer, Hague Quality Water, Salley’s Propane, and @toms_town for making @darkforestkc possible!

36 0

For gardeners in our area, October is a month of transition. See below to learn what we’re tackling this month! (Powell Gardens` year-long garden guide is on the blog; link in bio.)

🥦 While fall vegetables continue producing, don’t forget to begin preparing beds for winter.

🌷 Planting spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils now ensures a colorful display next year.

🌲 Trees and shrubs establish well when planted in fall, as cooler air temperatures reduce stress while roots continue growing.

🌱 As frost approaches, tender plants should be brought indoors.

🔧 Tools should be cleaned and stored.

🍁 Leaves can be composted or used as a mulch to protect soil through winter.

🍃 Aerate lawns, rake leaves, and mulch beds for winter protection.

28 0

Want a deal on @darkforestkc tickets? Join us on Halloween night (October 31)! 👻🎃

We’re offering $31 general admission tickets (that`s $7 off the regular $38 general admission price!) for this night ONLY.

Purchase tickets at the link in our bio.

#powellgardens #darkforest #halloween #kansascity #botanicalgarden

48 1

After sunset, Powell Gardens’ forest comes alive. 🕷️💫🌌

@darkforestkc is back, transforming the woods into an immersive nighttime experience filled with performances, creative installations, and unexpected encounters.

Purchase tickets for Dark Forest, created in partnership with @quixoticfusion, at powellgardens.org/dark-forest (link in bio).

Thank you to @boulevard_beer, Hague Quality Water, Salley’s Propane, and @toms_town for making Dark Forest possible!

44 2

GREENHOUSE UPDATE: POINSETTIAS

All of the poinsettia plants we`re growing for Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms have been transplanted and pinched thanks to our lovely, hardworking staff and volunteers. ❤️

The plants take up about one and a half greenhouses! This month, the team is focusing on growing and making sure they`ll be beautiful for you to take home for the holidays.

A couple of favorites to keep your eyes out for later this year are Superba New Glitter, Christmas Beauty Cinnamon, and Christmas Mouse.

25 0

Dark Forest VIP passes are still available! Skip the line and enjoy VIP parking, two drink tickets, and access to private seating and bar areas. ♥️

Only a limited number of VIP Fast Passes are available each night, so if you`re looking for the ultimate Dark Forest experience, don`t wait!

Link in bio. #darkforestkc #powellgardens #viptickets #kansascity

36 2