Mission Statement
Mobile Botanical Gardens provides experiences that help visitors of all ages appreciate and benefit from our unique Gulf Coast environment. The Gardens serve as a living classroom for residents and visitors alike. By providing a sense of place, we endeavor to instill passion for nature, and to preserve, protect, and present the unique plants of the Gulf Coast region.
South Alabama Botanical and Horticultural Society, dba Mobile Botanical Gardens, is a 501(c) (3)509(a)(2) non-profit organization with public/private funding.
Seth Allen
Director of Horticulture
Seth joined the Garden in 2018 after having worked at Bellingrath, Longwood, Magnolia Plantation, and Green's Nurseries in Fairhope. He received his Masters in Horticulture from Auburn Univerisity. Seth oversees all aspects of the horticultural activities of MBG, actively designs, procures and installs new planting areas, and manages the accessioning database IrisBG. His passion is the K. Sawada WinterGarden and the hundreds of unique Camellias within that garden.
sallen@mbgardens.org
Jon Todd Crandall
Grounds and Facilities Director
Todd comes from a varied background that most recently included nine years overseeing the day-to-day operations of a 650-acre tea plantation in South Carolina. When he's not busy attending to the many needs of MBG, Todd enjoys spending time with his family and dog, Sadie. He's also an avid fisherman, enjoys cycling, and is known for carving "Ugly Crooked Spoons" from a variety of woods.
tcrandall@mbgardens.org
Sara Habel
Education Director
My family moved to Mobile in 2017 and have thoroughly enjoyed being MBG members. I worked as a teacher for MCPSS for 4 years and have 11 years of teaching experience. My daughters have loved being part of the MBG programs such as Veggie Kids and NatureBlast. One of my fondest memories as a teacher was bringing my second grade students to the gardens for a field trip after studying plants and pollinators.
I am excited to continue all of the wonderful programming already in place at the Gardens. I also look forward to developing new curriculum and programming, building new relationships with organizations as well as fostering current ones, and enjoying time with all of our members.
shabel@mbgardens.org
Aeriell Cashin
Operations Manager and Events Coordinator
Aeriell is a recent graduate of Auburn University and holds a degree in Agricultural Sciences. Aeriell’s passion is education and community outreach with regard to nature and plants. She brings a strong background in event management and logistics to the MBG team and lends oversight to all of our signature events as well as 3rd party rentals. Prior to her current position, Aeriell got to know the Gardens through her 2021 summer internship work which included an array of projects involving our longleaf, woodland trails, Magnolia Hill and even our chickens!
acashin@mbgardens.org
Michelle Rosa
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Mobile Botanical Gardens has long been one of Michelle's favorite places, but now that she works here it has become her most favorite place! She came on board just in time to help with MBG's 50th Anniversary Gala and her longest term goal currently is to help plan and attend our 75th.
rosa.m@mbgardens.org
Loki, Leo, and Louise
Official Tour Guides
Our official Garden kitties look forward to your visit! They are here during the week and will likely walk around with you. Dogs are of course welcome at the Gardens, but we do ask that they remain on a leash.
Board of Directors
2024-2025 Executive Committee
Frederick Walch, IV (2025) President
The Walch Group, LLC
Stephen E. Clements (2027) Past President
Mediation Attorney
Neil Kennedy (2026) Vice President – Finance
Sr VP Investments, Stifel
Dr. Bill Barrick (2027) Vice President, Horticulture
Retired – Bellingrath, Horticulturist
Judge Charles Zackery (Zack) Moore (2027) Secretary
District Judge, Mobile County
Judy Stout, Ph.D. (2026) Vice President – Education
Retired botanist, former MBG Board president
Allison Hall (2025) Treasurer
Bookkeeper, Halls Motor Sports
Vera Lynn Sheets (2026) VP Personnel Support
Retired, Phillips Preparatory Music Instructor
Robin Krchak, Executive Director Emeritus
2024-2025 Board Members
Laura Frost, Ph.D. (2025)
Assistant Professor of Biology, USA
Jack LeCroy (Honorary)
Regional Extension Agent Auburn University
Chuck Greer (2026)
Botanist
Ricia Hendrick (2026)
Editor and Publisher, Elevator World, Inc.
former Alabama State Representative
Partner, Burr & Formal LLP
International Camellia Society U.S. Regional Director
Nick Lawkis (2027)
Carol Mackey (2026)
Retired, Healthcare Sales & operations, Master Gardener
Patrick McGough (2027)
Larson McGowin, Forester
Julie Moore (2026)
Dana Renta, M.D. (2026)
Retired Doctor of Medicine; Master Gardener; Educator
Jeb Schrenk (2026)
USA Director of Digital and Strategic Communications
Janice Small (2026)
Retired, City of Mobile Parks Department
Drew Walch (2026)
Pilot Group of Companies
Beth Poates, (non-voting):
2024-25 President, Gulf Coast Herb Society
Bob Howard, (non-voting):
2025 President, Mobile County Master Gardeners