A native of Huntsville, he has been the General Manager at Monmouth Plantation in Natchez, MS, where he was involved in creating a period landscape at the plantation. He returned to Huntsville in 1986 as co-owner and general manager of Chase Nursery Company. Began working as a volunteer at the Botanical Garden in 1988 and joined the staff in 1992. As Director of Garden he oversaw the implementation of programs such as the construction of the Center for Biospheric Education and Research and the successful relocation of a 100-year old dogwood to the Garden grounds. Author of several publications including Relocation of One Hundred Year Old Dogwood Tree. A guest lecturer for the Master Gardener Program for several years, he also writes for Alabama Gardener and does a weekly column in Huntsville Times newspaper.