The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County has a new Executive Director, James E. May, who will start on November 18. His appointment follows a comprehensive nationwide search, according to the organization's Board President, Scott Scovill.
As per the Palm Beach County website, as highlighted by his previous experience in non-profit leadership, May comes to Mounts Botanical Garden with an impressive background featuring a stint as the Chief of Staff at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Scovill, said, "His extensive track record of transformative leadership, combined with a deep passion for community engagement and operational excellence, makes him the perfect leader for this pivotal moment in our Garden’s journey. As we undertake a new Master Planning process, Jim’s visionary approach will help shape an exciting future of dynamic programs, innovative exhibits, and memorable experiences that will elevate Mounts as a premier destination in Palm Beach County."
"I’m ready to lead Mounts Botanical Garden into its next stage of growth,” said May himself in a statement from the Palm Beach County newsroom. He has a history of securing significant financial support crucial to the sustainability of the organizations he has been part of.
With a strong track record in growth and engagement, the new Executive Director is set to make a significant impact at Mounts. His achievements include being recognized in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty and contributing to the $105 million Indiana State Museum. At the Boca Raton Museum of Art, he helped triple membership following a major exhibition. May has been key in building strategic partnerships and expanding the museum's reach.
The Mounts Botanical Garden is supported through a unique public-private partnership involving Palm Beach County, the University of Florida, and the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden 501(c)(3). In his statement, May acknowledges the importance of these collaborations and aims to strengthen them further as part of his commitment to Mounts. His focus is on crafting a vision that aligns with audience needs and institutional relevance, ensuring the Garden remains a place for learning, exploration, and renewal.
