Social Media and Outreach Coordinator, Nursery Supervisor Meg MacKenzie I started volunteering with Grow Hub in January of 2023 and became an employee in July 2023. I coordinate Grow Hub’s social media accounts, plan our annual pop-up events, coordinate local tabling events, and schedule individual volunteers. I also lead our monthly “disability committee” where a group of disabled and non-disabled team…
Board Member Stephen Griffin I’ve been a board member for 3 years. GROW HUB is such a great representation of Gainesville, and what community can be. I tell people all the time, this is a magical place. I have yet to put in more than I’ve received. When I’m not volunteering at GROW HUB, I…
Native Plants Program Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator, Board Member Cherice Smithers I am a native Floridian and field ecologist committed to promoting local biodiversity through the use of native plants in home gardens and landscapes. I have a MS in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida where I studied the diversity of native bee…
Board Member Kim Kazimour I am from Iowa and while graduating from Iowa State University with degrees in psychology, I began my college career as a horticulture major! I moved to Florida in 1980 and have worked in education and human services ever since.
Nursery Supervisor, Board Member and Staff Crystal Taylor Gainesville grown, I have a BS from the University of Florida in horticultural sciences with a specialization in organic and sustainable crop production. I’ve been in the horticulture field since 2008, and in 2014 helped create and teach at the Alachua County Public Schools Growing Educational Training…
Board Member Chip Koval I am a recovering/retired attorney. Most of my career was spent in-house with hospital systems, including 12 years at Shands. I’m enjoying spending my time outside, fishing and hiking, and puttering around the house, yard, and Grow Hub. There’s always plenty to do. I worked with the other original board members…
Treasurer, Board Member Jan Benet I am a retired special educator and board certified behavior analyst, having taught and supervised special education programs for 47 years in five Florida counties and at the University of the West Indies’ School of Hope in Kingston, Jamaica. Prior to being a special educator, I attended Eckerd College, the…
Executive Director, aka “Boss Man”, Board Member David Banes I’ve worked 37 years for the School Board of Alachua County as a PE teacher, ESE teacher, Dean and now as the Transition Specialist, helping build the vocational training program for high school students getting ready to graduate high school and into the workforce. This work…
Nursery Assistant Vernon “Mr. V” Hunter I went to school at Sydney Lanier with Joan. I like making art at GROW HUB. I like gluing tiles. I have a cat at home. I enjoy watching TV. Mama’s hot sauce makes me smile!
Nursery Assistant Sheryl Hicks I was born at Shands, and have lived in Gainesville my whole life. My mom is Gwen, and I have one older sister. At GROW HUB I like to plant flowers, pupil weeds, rake, do mulch, and work plant sales. I enjoy watering too. Ih art class, I like making birdhouses…