The Board of Trustees at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado has appointed Ann Kurronen as their new Executive Director. "The Gardens is indeed fortunate in having found someone with Ann's enthusiasm for sharing the wonders of the plant world, especially the amazing plant palette of our Colorado Rocky Mountain valley, with our residents and visitors," says Deane Hall, BFAG Board President. "It's unusual for a public garden to be able to lure back into horticulture, especially botanic gardens work, someone with her experience in the corporate world."
After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Horticulture Business, Ann began her professional career in the floral industry working for retail and wholesale businesses in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. She later went on to work in the field of corporate Human Resources for Weyerhaeuser Company and Vail Resorts during which time she received a Master's Degree from Seattle University. "I am so excited," comments Ann, "to serve as the Executive Director of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens where I am able to combine my passion for and knowledge of horticulture with the experience I have gained in business management. The Gardens is an integral part of the outdoor experience in the western Rocky Mountain region and I look forward to enhancing the growth of our highly valued organization."
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens which is the highest botanic gardens in the United States, and possibly the world, is situated on three acres at an elevation of 8,250 feet. The Gardens offers free access to the public with 100,000 visitors annually and will celebrate its twentieth year of operation in 2007. Its Mountain Perennial Garden, Mountain Meditation Garden, Alpine Rock Garden, and Children's Garden showcase some of the large number of plants which thrive at high altitude. The Gardens has played a noteworthy role in encouraging summer time flower displays throughout the Vail Valley at both private homes and businesses, and is also active in displaying and working for the conservation of high altitude plants. The Garden's website is at http://www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org/.