Sharon May

Sharon May is an advocate of gardening from the ground up. Good soil practices not only improve plant health but also dramatically effect water efficiency and sustainability. Drawing from extensive experience as a Landscape Designer and Director of Marketing and Sales at Agri Service Inc., a green waste recycling company, she has taught classes, appeared on radio programs, and had work published in national and regional publications. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the San Diego Botanical Garden and the California Landscape Contractors Association.

Julian Duval
Manager, President/CEO, San Diego Botanic Garden

In January 1995, Julian Duval moved to Encinitas to become the first Executive Director of the recently privatized Quail Botanical Gardens. Since then, Julian, staff, docents, and volunteers have worked hard to improve the gardens and establish a financial base, insuring the future of this jewel in the crown of San Diego. In January of 2006 Julian's title became President/CEO of Quail Botanical Gardens. In June of 2009 the Hamilton Children’s Garden was opened adding 4.5 adjacent acres to the Garden and in September of that year the name was changed to the San Diego Botanic Garden. Prior to joining the garden, Julian Duval spent fifteen years with the Indianapolis Zoo where rose to Vice President of Zoological and Botanical Collections. Mr. Duval belongs to many professional and service organizations and plant societies.

Steve Gerisher
Landscape Designer, Board member Pacific Horticulture Society

Steve Gerischer is a professional landscape designer and part-time teacher and lecturer. He is an accomplished watercolor artist and member of American Society of Botanical Artists. His horticultural expertise includes residential landscaping, drought tolerant landscaping, organic gardening and roses. He is active in the Southern California Horticultural Society in Los Angeles, CA.

Navid Mostatabi
ASLA, Landscape Architect, Board member ASLA San Diego

Navid Mostatabi is a graduate of the Landscape Architecture program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Both a Landscape Architect and Landscape Contractor, he works primarily on residential projects throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Orange counties. He has designed and built gardens in many different styles – Japanese, Craftsman, Succulent, Desert, Formal. He has been an active board member of ASLA San Diego for the last three years helping produce events such as the Spring garden tour in 2010.

Rob Sidner
Director of Mingei International

Rob Sidner joined the staff of Mingei International in 1993 and became its second Director in 2006. During his tenure at Mingei International, he has played an integral part in the building of the Museum’s 41,000 square-foot facility in Balboa Park. Prior to his joining Mingei International’s staff, he owned Cable Gallery, where he represented and exhibited the work of 25 artists. Mr. Sidner had many accomplishments while serving for 22 years as a Roman Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, including: Assistant Professor at Saint Meinrad College, St. Meinrad, Indiana and Chairperson of the Art and Architecture Committee of the Diocese. Mr. Sidner received a BA degree in English from Saint Meinrad College, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from Gregorian University in Rome, Italy and an MA degree in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.