Delaware Botanic Gardens announces new appointments

At the Delaware Botanic Gardens February board meeting, DBG President Ray Sander said, “DBG is by every measure a community garden. While it has attracted nationally and internationally renowned designers, and highly respected engineering and construction experts, the project’s workforce is drawn almost exclusively from dedicated volunteers who live here on Delmarva. It is within this context that we proudly announce the build-out of the DBG team, with additional respected community volunteers to help us achieve the reality of a flagship public garden on Pepper Creek.”

The board of directors and Carla Markell, advisory council chair, have appointed two new members to the DBG Advisory Council – LeDee Lickle Wakefield and David C. Doane. Markell said, “As the creation of this exceptional public garden becomes a reality, we are honored to welcome these experienced leaders from across our state to our advisory council. Their proven records of community service and success further enhance the entire DBG effort.” 

Doane, a CPA, served on the DBG board and now will join the advisory council. He is vice president of Jefferson, Urian, Doane & Sterner PA, where he has specialized in family-owned business enterprise matters. Doane has an extensive history of community service including serving as past president of Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, and having a lifelong association with Easter Seals, where he most recently co-chaired its capital campaign. He serves on several boards, such as Pyle Center Trust and the Sussex Advisory Board for the Delaware Community Foundation. Doane recently joined the board of directors of Bank of Delmarva. Doane said, “I have been honored to serve on the board with such dedicated colleagues. Joining the advisory council will enable me to continue with this project, which will be a major addition to Sussex County.”

Wakefield is a native of Wilmington and the comptroller at The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa. She is also an event planner who has dedicated herself to community service through her extensive experience on the boards of Preservation Delaware, Young Friends of the Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Guidance Services and Paws for People. Wakefield said, “When I saw the Pepper Creek site and the vision for this remarkable public garden, I wanted to be part of the effort to create this beautiful asset which will be a destination to all who live in and visit Delaware.”

The board of the Delaware Botanic Gardens also announced other new appointments.

Carol McCloud was named vice president. Sander said, “Carol has served as a key board member and has stepped up to assist the executive leadership team on daily operations.” A Wilmington native, McCloud is former president of the Barefoot Gardeners Club in Fenwick Island and a life member of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs. She retired from W.L. Gore and Associates, Newark, where she specialized in payroll and benefits, and computer software implementation of both People Soft and Occupational Health Services. She is SHRM-certified in human resources and payroll. Her community service for the Town of Fenwick Island focuses on beach dune preservation and Earth Day activities. She is also a member of the Fenwick Island Historical Group. For several years, she has been a volunteer for Delaware Botanic Gardens and is chair of the DBG speakers/tour bureau. She lives in Fenwick Island.

Grant Watchorn was named corporate treasurer and board officer. He replaces Richard W. Weissmann, who served as treasurer over the past year. Sander said, “We salute and thank Rich for guiding us through the complex financial details that are part of a startup garden. We welcome Grant aboard.” Watchorn is a CPA who holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA, and has completed graduate studies in both information systems and logistics management. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who worked in logistics management. He has extensive corporate experience at Western Electric Co., Westinghouse Electric Systems Group and Northrop Grumman Corp. Since his retirement from Grumman, Watchorn has provided pro bono financial services to several nonprofits, including AARP. He lives in Ocean View. Watchorn said, “After settling into the Bethany Beach area, I started looking for opportunities where I could utilize my interests, skills, and experience. When I first visited the Delaware Botanic Gardens it seemed like a good fit, so now I’m on the team and look forward to my time working with them.”

Sally Boswell joins the DBG staff in development and outreach after serving for 12 years as outreach and education coordinator for the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. She is a seasoned communications professional with a proven track record in the nonprofit and private sectors. She has spent her career in nonprofit communications serving the City of Baltimore, Maryland Public Television and Johns Hopkins University before launching a business in Baltimore. Boswell has served on numerous boards including the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, BioTrek Naturalists and the Rehoboth Art League. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications arts from Salisbury University and a master’s in liberal arts from Johns Hopkins University. She continues to serve on the DBG Advisory Council.

DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed said, “We are honored that this exceptional project continues to attract the interest and support of leaders from across the region offering their experience and expertise to this landmark project. All these appointments are further indications that we are moving full speed ahead as we build our team aimed at opening the garden gates in 2019.”

For more information on the Delaware Botanic Gardens, including membership, volunteering and donations, go to www.delawaregardens.org.