The Awbury Arboretum Association Board of Directors is happy to recommend the five candidates below for the five vacancies on the Board.

Our by-laws specify that one-third of the Board must live within a two mile radius of the Francis Cope House. Four of the candidates meet this requirement and will replace two of the departing board members who live within that radius. All candidates have signed a Conflict of Interest Form indicating that they have no conflicts.

Voting will open on September 1, 2023 electronically, and members will be notified. Those who wish to vote by mail may also do so. The results of the election will be announced at the Annual Meeting on September 10, 2023.

Jason Hall is a biologist who, during the day, manages a team of Merck biochemists and chemists in support of vaccine quality control. During the weekends and evenings, he spends his time operating In Color Birding Club, Inc., a nonprofit birding club he founded that focuses on bringing the outdoors and birding to communities of color.

Jason has been involved with Awbury since our Year of Birds in 2022, leading several well-attended bird walks that brought new visitors to Awbury in a welcoming way. He continues to lead bird walks here, attracting new and old birders alike, and ensuring that BIPOC folks feel safe access to the outdoors and find joy in birdwatching. He is also familiar with many of the aspects of running a 501 c(3) nonprofit, including managing finances, event planning, fundraising, and grant writing. He lives in Royersford, PA.

Justin Jackson is a registered Landscape Architect with close to 20 years of experience. He has worked with a wide variety of clients, including Constitution Gardens, the C & O Canal Project, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Texas Trees Foundation. With a minor in horticulture, he also has extensive hands-on experience, having worked for both the Morris Arboretum and Atlanta Botanical Garden prior to obtaining his master’s in landscape architecture.

Justin moved back to Philadelphia about five years ago and heard about Awbury shortly thereafter. He would like to bring his professional expertise and passion in horticulture and landscape architecture to strengthen the community of the arboretum. He lives in West Mount Airy.

Barbara Johnson is a newly retired education professional with a master’s in educational leadership. She worked with the School District of Philadelphia for over 25 years. In addition to her expertise in childhood educational programming, she also has significant familiarity with issues relating to community engagement and satisfaction, including best practices for addressing those issues. She has served on the board of several non-profits.

Barbara was born and raised in Germantown and was always aware of Awbury. However, she truly “discovered” Awbury during the COVID pandemic, getting involved in our Wellness Community, yoga, dance, and walking classes. She is also an engaged member of our Community Planning Committee. She lives in Germantown. 

Alan Metcalfe is an architect and designer with over 35 years of experience. He and his firm have worked with multiple arboreta and outdoor spaces, including the Abington Friends School Outside Garden Station, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the eco-Village at Camp Havaya, Morris Arboretum, the New York Botanical Garden, and Whiting Forest of Dow Garden. He also designed the Wissahickon Charter School Awbury Campus. As a younger man, Alan had an additional 12 years of experience as a contractor and cabinet maker. 

Alan first “discovered” Awbury when his office auditioned for a design project. He got to know the Awbury landscape during the COVID pandemic and has been an active and engaged member of our Facilities Committee for several years. He lives in West Mount Airy.

Ian Pappajohn has been a partner in a cabinet and millwork shop specializing in high end residential cabinet work as well as institutional and museum millwork for over 25 years. He has developed old industrial buildings into spaces for artists and nonprofits as well as renovated single-family houses and apartment buildings.

Ian has lived in the Henry Cope House directly adjacent to the arboretum since 2005. He is a long-time member of our Facilities Committee, contributing woodworking skills and familiarity with the maintenance and renovation of historic properties. He previously served on our board from 2008-2017. He lives in Germantown.