Advisory Board
Dean Kelch — is an Associate Plant Systematist for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (2006–Present) and is an Assistant Researcher with the UC Berkeley and Jepson Herbaria, where he teaches and conducts plant systematic research. He has been a Research Associate at The Jepson Herbarium since 1996. He received a Bachelors degree at the University of Michigan, and his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Systematic Botany from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Kelch served as Director of the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California from 1997 to 2000. He currently serves as President of the California Botanical Society, is Past President of the San Francisco Cactus and Succulent Society, and is widely published.
Brian Kemble — is Curator, Chief Horticulturist, and Assistant Garden Director at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Concord, California where he has been employed since 1980. He is active in the Cactus and Succulent Society of American, is currently on the Board of the San Francisco Chapter, and served as President of the Oakland Chapter. He is a frequent speaker at society chapters in the western region, has published numerous articles in their national journal, and is widely recognized as an expert on Aloes. Brian received a degree in philosophy in 1971 from Antioch College in Ohio.
Timothy Metcalf — retired — former Director of UC Davis Botanical Conservatory and Division of Biological Sciences Plant Growth Facilities, a position held from 1972 to 2008. His duties included directing, teaching, and supervising activities in the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, Weier Instructional Greenhouse, DBS Orchard Park and Core Plant Growth Facilities. He is still an active member of numerous plant societies and lectures widely on a broad range of botanical and horticultural topics. Mr. Metcalf received an M.S. in Environmental Horticulture at UC Davis in 1980. He has received numerous awards, most recently an Award of Distinction from the UCD College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Elton Roberts — formed Roberts Cactus and Succulents Nursery in 1987. He has been growing cactus from seed more than 30 years, and has amassed the largest and most diverse private collection of the plant family in northern California. His knowledge of cacti is extensive. He is past president of the regional Cactus and Succulent Society of America, having served seventeen years as a board member. He is a current board member and past president of NorCal, a primary growers association in northern California.
Ernesto Sandoval — is presently Director of UC Davis Botanical Conservatory and Division of Biological Sciences Plant Growth Facilities, a position held since 2008. His duties include directing, teaching, and supervising activities in the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, Weier Instructional Greenhouse, DBS Orchard Park and Core Plant Growth Facilities. He was formerly the Curator for the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, a position held from 1998-2008. He received his B.S. in Botany at UC Davis in 1996. He frequently leads botanical field trips, and is a popular speaker for California chapters of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA), as well as other regional plant and garden groups.
Mark Wegman — is general manager and co-owner of Wegmans Nursery, Redwood City, California. Mr. Wegman has 28 years experience in the nursery industry. He is currently secretary for the Master Nursery Growers Cooperative, and has been on the board for 16 years. He also served as president of the peninsula chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. Mr. Wegman recently received the association Young Nurseryman of the Year award and their Jack Wick award, honors bestowed on members for extraordinary contributions to the industry. He is a member of their state-wide educational committee helping to refine their certification program.
Manuela Kogon, M.D. — is an advisor to small and medium size companies, assisting them with business development, strategic planning, marketing and day-to-day operations. She started her business career as an active participant in the formulation and operation of several small businesses and translated that early experience into her current advisory role. She holds a medical degree from Basel University School of Medicine.
Linda J. Popky — is Founder and President of L2M Associates, Inc., a strategic marketing company. She is a senior marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in technology and B2B marketing, including experience with Sun Microsystems and Cisco Systems. She earned an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Boston University. Among other things, she is the Director of Alliances & Partnerships for Women in Consulting, a member of the Society for the Advancement of Consulting, a Fountainblue certified consultant, associated with Marketing Operations Partners, and is an Astia business incubator mentor and a member of their Technology Planning Committee.
