Peter is creative professional with experience in many related fields including horticulture, ecology/environment, museum studies and education. He has organizational management expertise honed in diverse organizations that including botanical gardens, public parks, nature/environmental centers, and colleges. Peter says: "My goal is to bring people closer to to nature and therefore closer to themselves."
Responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and property of the organization. This encompasses forty miles of trails, 4,000 acres of diverse ecosystems nature museum, campgrounds, marina and boat launches, rental facilities, and 120 rental properties on and around Bantam Lake. $1.5 million combined budget, – 15 staff.
Responsible for policy making, funding, planning, organizing, staffing, and directing the educational activities throughout the organization including public programs, camps, school programs, scout programs, field trips, teacher development and internships . Responsible for all facilities including play areas, landscapes and trails. Responsible for community engagement and fostering relationships with community leaders and government agencies. $500,000 budget – 15 staff.
Tenured horticulture professor and program manager of the
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Horticulture program.
Responsible for all program development and operations of the
program, the botanical garden and associated facilities.
Programs taught include landscape design, landscape construction
& maintenance, irrigation, and sustainable plant production
& marketing. $100,000 budget - 4 staff.
Career and Technical Education teacher supervising and instructing students in training for the field of horticulture.
Plan, organize, and provide instruction in horticulture. Work with business and industry to secure donations of equipment and training aids. Work with advisory committees to ensure curriculum meets current industry standards. Responsible for promotion materials including brochures and website and promotions at regional garden/ landscape shows.
Developed and conducted garden classes
and lectures at regional garden and landscaping shows. TV Segment Host
(Comcast), Radio show host (KLAY 1180 AM), garden and
landscaping classes and landscaping consultant service. Garden
writer for Tacoma News Tribune, authored Northwest (SmartGarden Regional Garden
Guides). Informational Website: HorticultureGuy.com and online garden
supply mail order business Shop.HorticultureGuy.com.
Responsible to the Board of Directors for management of the entire nonprofit organization including fundraising/development, human resources, strategic planning, programs, finance, and communications.
Management training program culminating in a M. S. in Public Horticulture Administration with focus on leadership, planning, teamwork, human resource management, finances.
Instructed introductory and advanced horticultural courses and associated laboratories.
Planned, coordinated, and supervised all aspects of day to day horticultural operations of an 81 acre wildlife sanctuary (2.5-acre pond. bird shelters, boardwalk, nature trail, botanical gardens, and natural science exhibits. Taught nature based programs and worked with native education and display animals. Reports: 2
Performed quality control and customer service for landscaping and consultation service.
Certificates: Environmental Institution Management & Museum Studies
Degree: Plant Science
Peter's other creative outlets include music and acting and he stays active hiking and vegetable gardening.
Peter started playing on the upright piano in his childhood home
and took lessons for several years. In middle school he was in the
orchestra and marching band (playing french horn, mellophone and
trumpet) and was also active in choir. In high school he
formed a rock band and performed in his high school's battle of the
bands. In college he started performing at clubs and venues in
New York and New Jersey. It was at this time that he transition from
cover songs to writing songs. Peter still enjoys the writing songs and belongs to Song Spark
Songwriting and Composition Collective - where members work on a
monthly songwriting prompt.
Peter also enjoys community theater having performing in musicals and plays. He has had a chance to play some great roles including Vernon Gersch in They're Playing Our Song, Schroeder in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and Rooster in Annie. In 2008, Tacoma Little Theatre awarded Peter a Richard Odlin Award for "best lead actor" for his portrayal of Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (see critics review).