Our New James City County and Williamsburg Master Gardner Association Leadership Team

Our new leadership team took office in January, with a combined 73 years of Master Gardening experience to guide them in leading our organization this year.  Most have been gardening since childhood and bring tremendous knowledge and practical experience to their work as Master Gardeners.

Please enjoy these brief interviews as you get to know these outstanding individuals who have stepped up to positions of leadership this year, and perhaps learn a few new things about old friends and colleagues.  Many hands make light work, and our leadership team will need every member’s support and assistance to make 2024 an outstanding year of service to our greater community.

 

Vickie Rockwell, President, A Master Gardener since 2019

I have loved gardening since childhood. My grandparents always had a space in their gardens for me to plant lettuce, carrots, and radishes.

I became a Master Gardener to be part of the community and share my love of gardening. I want to be up-to-date and knowledgeable regarding the latest information and trends for the garden.

My favorite projects: I really have enjoyed all the projects that I have worked on: Waterwise, The Colonial Williamsburg gardens, WBG, ARC, and Jamestown. The camaraderie of working with our Master Gardeners makes the work fun and the results beautify the environment.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To continue to build on the successful programs; celebrate the accomplishments of long-standing programs; introduce sustainability to our programs and add tours of local gardens into our portfolio of activities. I hope to achieve a Land Steward certification in the future.

Beyond gardening:  Special interests include working with my professional society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to foster STEM education. Other professional volunteer interests have included board and organizational governance for the ASME Board of governors, the American Association of Engineering Society Board, the Engineers’ Week Board, and the  City of Houston Tax Incremental Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).   I also like to read popular fiction

 

Dave Kleppinger, President-Elect, A Master Gardener since 2016 and Tree Steward since 2023.

I have loved gardening since I gardened and landscaped as a kid growing up in the Garden State.

I became a Master Gardener because I’ve enjoyed landscaping and landscape design my entire adult life.

My favorite projects: I particularly enjoy public service, so assisting and informing the public is most gratifying.  I enjoy Speakers Bureau presentations, leading the team which created the ArbNet accredited Ford’s Colony Arboretum, volunteering at Colonial Williamsburg, and particularly giving Arboretum Tours to the public.  I also enjoy helping homeowners during Pruning Clinic, Landscape Love, and Turf Love home visits.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To continue my work as a Tree Steward and Turf Ranger. As President-Elect, I intend to become more knowledgeable about all MG projects with a focus on identifying resource gaps and enhancement opportunities.

Beyond gardening, I enjoy: Golf, genealogy research, world travel, and all Philly sports! I am most fortunate to enjoy living in retirement in this wonderful community and being able to volunteer my time helping others.

 

Dot Finnegan, Secretary, A Master Gardener since 2020

Also, a member of: The World Wildlife Foundation, Doctors without Borders, and The Cornell Ornithology Lab, participating in its annual Feeder Watch.

I have loved gardening since I began digging weeds at home when I was 7 years old.

I became a Master Gardener to gain more of an understanding of gardening, especially the plants in my garden as well as what might also flourish there. I also wanted to gain knowledge that might assist neighbors through my volunteering with various projects.

My favorite project is the plant sale.  I have enjoyed helping with organizing, sharing plants, and assisting with the sale. It brings our endeavors and joy to so many folks in our area, not to mention financially supporting our other projects.  One of the things that I appreciate about our unit is that members may contribute in a variety of ways according to their own interests and abilities,  without judgment.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To continue to engage in the pruning clinic and the plant sale, to document our meetings as well as participate in the stewardship of the organization, to continue to send cards to members who are sick or who have lost loved ones, and to communicate our endeavors to the public through local media.

Beyond gardening:  A Professor Emerita of William and Mary, I taught the history of higher education and appreciate the land-grant movement, out of which came the Extension Service. I continue my academic research on the contributions of the YMCA on higher education.  I enjoy reading, playing pool with friends, and trying to keep up with my azaleas.

 

Linda Neilson, Treasurer, A Master Gardener since 2018

Also, a member of: The Virginia Master Gardener Association and The Williamsburg Botanical Garden

I have loved gardening since enjoying my mother’s beautiful gardens and am inspired by those memories.

I became a Master Gardener to gain knowledge and work with people who enjoy gardening.

My favorite project is the current Waterwise Demonstration Garden.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To expand the plant database at the Waterwise Gardens, and increase my knowledge of plants in the garden.  I have IT experience to assist with plant database expansion.  I also hope to become a Tree Steward in the future.

Beyond gardening, I enjoy reading, Osher classes, puzzles, word games.

 

 

Marion Guthrie, Vice President for Communications, A Master Gardener since 2019 and Tree Steward since 2020.

Also, a member of: The United Plant Savers and The American Elm Society

I have loved gardening since childhood. My father raised roses, and my love of gardening was passed down from my parents.

I became a Master Gardener because I wanted to become a better, more knowledgeable gardener, and to connect and make new friends with other people in the area.

My favorite projects:  I really enjoy creating the communications program for our extension and working with other VCE extension gardeners.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To improve the delivery of gardening information to the greater Williamsburg gardening public and to educate them on the best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.

Beyond gardening, I have a master’s in communications from Illinois State University and undergraduate classes in social psychology from University of Pennsylvania.  I started my career and have professional work experience with Westinghouse Broadcasting KDKA Radio/TV.   I have 40 years of experience providing strategic direction, directing teams, launching lead generation programs, balancing budgets, running satellite offices, writing and managing sales content, buying media, managing million-dollar budgets, and making decisions based on financial analysis. I also enjoy birdwatching; reading about plants and nature, and climate change; calligraphy and art.

 

Gary Griffith, Vice President for Projects, A Master Gardener since 2014.  A member of the JCCW MGA since 2022.

I have loved gardening since working in my father’s nursery and growing vegetables when I was a kid.

I became a Master Gardener in Manhattan, Kansas, to enjoy gardening and share it with others.

My favorite project: I really enjoy the Clara Byrd Baker School Garden because of the enthusiasm of the children.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: To facilitate and enable the success of the various projects in the Association and to continue to learn about gardening in Virginia.

Beyond gardening, I have a degree in biochemistry and 11 years of professional laboratory experience in soil testing.  I taught Microbiology in Malaysia before returning to Kansas State University for thirty years of professional service in lab management and research. My wife of 47 years and I moved to the Williamsburg area in 2019.  I enjoy small wood projects, household repairs, and playing the guitar.

 

 

Debe Sineath, Vice President for Internal Education, A Master Gardener since 2022 and a Tree Steward since 2023

Also, a member of: The Virginia Master Gardener Association, Virginia Native Plant Society, and the NoVA Audubon Society.  I also follow Home Grown National Park.

I have loved gardening since working with my mom, who was a Master Gardener and shared her enthusiasm with me.

I became a Master Gardener to learn about gardening in Virginia after living in California for 27 years.  I wanted to learn what plants grow here and how to make them thrive in this environment, to find a way to volunteer within the community in an area of interest, and to expand my knowledge base.  I also want to honor my mom, who was also a Master Gardener.

My favorite projects: All projects I’ve assisted with have been enjoyable and interesting.  The Colonial Williamsburg Arboretum and the Freedom Park Hot Water Settlement afforded me the opportunity to learn more about woody plants, native vs non-native plants, and invasive plants, which is where my interest primarily lies.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: I would like to assist in projects that I haven’t participated in yet, including the Historic Triangle Learning Garden to grow food to donate to FISH and House of Mercy, and to help in their fragrance garden.  I am interested in earning Water Steward and Land Steward certifications in the future.

Beyond gardening, I have experience in operations and project management from years of work in the private sector. I was also an active board member of the Embroiderers Guild of America for 24 years, holding the positions of President, VP for Programs and Education, Secretary, Newsletter and Community Outreach.  I enjoy needlepoint embroidery, reading, hiking, and agility and rally activities with my German wirehaired pointer.  I also enjoy travel within and outside the US.

 

Emily Coyner, Vice President for Administration, A Master Gardener since 2022

Also, a member of The Virginia Native Plant Society as well as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  I am a board member of the Williamsburg Botanical Garden.

I have loved gardening since I spent time in the garden with my mom as a child. I planted everything, including Barbies, leftover lunch, rocks, and some flowers, when my mom allowed me.

I became a Master Gardener because becoming a Master Gardner was a bucket list item for me. My mom and I have been gardening since I was born. It was important for me to carry on our legacy and share the passion with my own children, neighbors, and our community.

My favorite projects: I love working in The Williamsburg Botanical Garden with the group of MG’s that I work with. This garden is beautiful and small enough to thoroughly enjoy on one visit, but it keeps you wanting to come back for more. I also work in the Pollinator Garden at Veterans Park. This garden is not only beautiful, but it also serves a purpose in handling rainwater and runoff.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: I plan to attend Master Gardner College this year. The online platform allows for convenience that would have otherwise made it impossible for me to attend.  I have learned much already about our volunteers and the many gardens we serve. My goal this year is to visit all the gardens we serve, at least once.

Beyond gardening, I am a yoga teacher and raise poultry and other animals on our small working farm. I grow food and flowers year-round.  I market my products online and through my mobile boutique.

 

Marilyn Riddle, VMGA representative, A Master Gardener since 2001

Also, a member of the American Horticultural Society, and a life member of the VMGA, our state counterpart.

I have loved gardening since watching my mother and paternal grandfather garden, and eating those delicious veggies that they grew!

I became a Master Gardener because I wanted to expand on the knowledge that I acquired watching and helping my mother work in our family vegetable garden of my youth.

My favorite projects: I enjoyed the initial project at The Williamsburg Landing, under the guidance of Dr. Diane Relf, the first MG coordinator for VA, while she was a professor there. Barbara Gustafson ably assisted her. We won a national award as a result.

The Orr Garden, when it was the Reid Garden, at Colonial Williamsburg, both as a worker and as the coordinator. I prepared and conducted a tour there for USDA officials who were conferencing at the Williamsburg Inn, with one day’s notice. Their questions, during the tour or through emails afterward, were lessons I used going forward with that project.

Serving as the VMGA rep has also been such an educational experience, as well as a social one. I have learned how other units work, how we should continue as we have in most arenas, or possibly introduce some modifications in a few.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: Attending all the VMGA meetings this year. My office will be the site for February, and possibly others, because that one is on zoom only.

Beyond gardening, I am a retired high school math teacher.  I am the proud mother of two sons, both Virginia Tech graduates, and one daughter, a UVA graduate.  As a member of P.E.O., I chair a committee that seeks doctoral candidates for our national scholarships. We have been successful twice in the last three years and await results again in this competition. I am also a state officer in NARFE (federal active and retired). We are the only advocate organization for this group. I am past state president in DKG, a women teachers’ honorary, and continue in an advisory role.

 

Deb Bussert, Past President, A Master Gardener since 2016

I have loved gardening all my life.

I became a Master Gardener to learn and meet people.

My favorite projects are the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and the plant sale.

My goals for 2024 and beyond include: Taking it easy after two years as President.

Beyond gardening, I studied ornamental plants at the Chicago Botanical Garden. As a lawyer for thirty years, I had a lot of training and experience in speaking and writing. I enjoy genealogy and family history, travel, and history.

 

 

Janet Spencer, “Acting” Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent 

Although I’m not a Master Gardener, I served as the ANR Extension Agent in Isle of Wight County and coordinated the local EMG program between 2010-2017.

I enjoy anything outdoors, such as fishing and hiking. I also enjoy reading, and recently started crocheting.