Staff

Becky Rice was hired as executive director in December 2007. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Finance and graduate work toward a Masters in Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management. She brings a background in fund development and finance with more than twenty years in nonprofit management positions - most recently working with community organizers at MICAH. Becky built her first raingarden after a neighbor shared the information he'd received at a Metro Blooms Raingarden Workshop.

Andy holds a Master’s of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Cultural Anthropology. Andy began his journey as a gardener with his grandfather as a child and mastered his skills working with the famous Clemens and Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud, MN. He worked with Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona where he further developed his passion and knowledge of native plants. He has also worked with the Wadena Area Replant Project as a designer and consultant for a community in the process of rebuilding after a devastating tornado. Before coming to Metro Blooms, he served as the Volunteer Coordinator and Garden Systems Chair on the Board of Directors for Hillview Urban Agriculture Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Elizabeth has a master's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's in Studio Art from Vassar College. This combination gives her unique insight into and a creative eye towards landscape architecture and design. She is also an avid cyclist, both on and off road, using her design skill set to facilitate and improve alternative transportation and recreational opportunities with environmentally sensitive, smart, and creative design solutions.

Barbara joined the team in July 2011. She had been serving on Metro Bloom’s Fundraising Committee since 2010. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Luther College. Her strong business background was put to good use as a Regional Manager for the past 17 years for a multi-site retail operation. Responsibilities ranged from site selection, store roll-out, marketing, hiring, customer relations and getting 130 employees to work every day. Additionally, her work with donor solicitation, special event logistics and volunteer management for various non-profit organizations have been a part of her life since relocating from Chicago 25 years ago. She embraces all the seasons with competitive sailing to cross country ski races to picking flowers in her garden!

Deborah was hired as administrative assistant in June 2008. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has completed post-graduate work towards licensures in Special Education and Family Education from the University of Minnesota. She has 20+ years experience working as a professional educator in both public and private settings and formerly worked full time for the St. Paul Public Schools as a teacher in Special Education. This background as an educator serves her well in collaborating with team members and responding to staff and client needs. Deborah enjoys learning about gardening and recently installed a raingarden to manage the stormwater on her property. She has interests in music, yoga and enjoys the outdoors.

Laura joined Metro Blooms in September of 2012 as their new MN GreenCorps member, which is an Americorps program through the MPCA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Minnesota and also completed a minor in Spanish studies. Laura has previous work experience in community relations and strives to combine the joy of working with communities with her passion for field work. While working for Metro Blooms she will expand their Blooming Schoolyards program, enhance and foster community outreach initiatives and work with the “Neighborhood of Raingardens” program. Laura is looking forward to becoming an expert on raingardens and their role in stormwater management in the coming year!