Margaret Ann Riecker, President of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, announces the selection of Marty McGuire as the new Managing Director for the Dow Gardens. McGuire will begin his work at Dow Gardens May 21, 2007.

The Trustees began the search in the fall of 2006 when Doug Chapman announced his retirement effective May 31, 2007. A search committee interviewed several candidates from around the country with horticulture backgrounds. According to Riecker, "Two things became evident: 1) it was going to be very difficult to replace Doug's technical expertise since he had become an icon in the horticulture industry, and 2) Doug had assembled a staff of talented horticulturists capable of continuing the legacy of Dow Gardens. These findings prompted a decision to shift the search to find someone to follow Doug rather than replace him by emphasizing management skills rather than horticultural skills." The committee then focused on Marty McGuire with whom they had worked on several community projects and determined that he is the best person to further develop the staff and introduce creative audience development ideas.

"Marty's ability to build productive relationships with volunteers, education, government and other partners coupled with his demonstrated history of employee development and his understanding of related offerings in the community will be keys to the future success of Dow Gardens," Riecker added.

McGuire is a Michigan native and was a thirty-year employee of the City of Midland. He was fifteen months from his projected retirement date with the City and is excited about the new opportunity. "I had a great run with the City of Midland and worked with some wonderful people.I am excited to be joining the talented staff at Dow Gardens and look forward to helping the Gardens to reach out to the community and its visitors. I am grateful to the Trustees for the confidence they have placed in me," McGuire said.

McGuire holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration, also from CMU. His thirty year career with the City has included assignments as Recreation Supervisor, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Director of Parks and Recreation and for the past fifteen years, Director of Public Services. He has been involved in numerous state and national professional organizations and has been especially active in the Amateur Softball Association of America where he has served as the group's parliamentarian and chaired nearly every major committee. He twice chaired the committee to select the Women's Olympic Softball Team and is currently completing his third four year term on that committee.

Locally, McGuire is a member of The Dow Chemical Advisory Board, an Associate Member of the Board of the Arnold Center, a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, active since its inception with Midland Blooms and the Secretary of the Midland Rotary Club. In addition, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Central Michigan University teaching Parks Management.

The Dow Gardens Managing Director's primarily provides oversight of The Dow Gardens, which consists of 140 acres and includes a new native plant initiative, Whiting Forest. Herbert H. Dow established Dow Gardens in 1899 for the enjoyment of his family, friends, and associates. Dow Gardens is a 110-acre botanical garden featuring more than 600 species of shrubs, trees and flowers including fine specimens of oak, maple, dogwood, crabapple, pine, rhododendron, magnolia and viburnum. Whiting Forest consists of 30 acres of native plants. For further information about the Dow Gardens, view http://www.dowgardens.org/.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation was established by Grace A. Dow in 1936 in memory of her husband Dr. Herbert H. Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company. The Trust Agreement specifies that the income of the trust is to be used "for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for public benefit of the inhabitants of the City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan."Dow Gardens is owned and operated by The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.