Stephen Griffin, Grow Hub
Stephen Griffin

Board Member

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 manage a fishing ranch…

Cherice, Grow Hub
Cherice Smithers

Native Plants Program Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator, Board Member

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 communities in fire-maintained pine savannas. I started at Grow Hub in…

Kim Kazimour, Grow Hub
Kim Kazimour

Board Member

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. 

Crystal Taylor

Nursery Supervisor, Board Member and Staff

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 (GET) program at the Farm to School to…

Chip, Grow Hub
Chip Koval

Board Member

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 to form Grow Hub…

Jan Benet, Grow Hub
Jan Benet

Treasurer, Board Member

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 Universidad de Las Americas back…

David Banes, Grow Hub
David Banes

Executive Director, aka “Boss Man”, Board Member

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 eventually led to the start of GROW HUB, bridging…

Vernon “Mr. V” Hunter, Grow Hub
Vernon “Mr. V” Hunter

Nursery Assistant

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!

Tyler Elliott, Grow Hub
Tyler Elliott

Sales Associate

I am from Ft. Lauderdale and moved to Gainesville 9 years ago. I was looking for a job and found out about GROW HUB and got a job. I really like it here. I like walking, watching Youtube and Netflix- I like everything!

Sheryl Hicks, Grow Hub
Sheryl Hicks

Nursery Assistant

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 and stepping stones. I…