San Antonio, TX (December 6, 2024)—Arboretum San Antonio, a new 188-acre arboretum that will showcase the landscape heritage of South Texas, has named public gardens leader Adriana Quiñones as its Chief Executive Officer. She brings considerable public garden management experience, including leading a newly formed garden in Florida, and a deep passion for public gardens as transformative spaces that provide equitable access to safe, green spaces.
Quiñones will assume her responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer on January 15, 2025. She will work with the Arboretum’s Board of Directors and expert advisors, who are currently engaged in a year-long master planning and community input process, to envision and build an arboretum that truly reflects South Texas’ rich and diverse heritage and culture.
“I am honored to lead an organization that has made it a priority to address the urgent challenges of climate change while embracing the principles of equity and respecting local cultures and the rich history of South Texas,” said Quiñones. “I am excited to cultivate growth, foster sustainability, and inspire a deeper connection to nature, ensuring Arboretum San Antonio is a sanctuary for all who seek to learn, discover, and be inspired by the beauty and wisdom of the natural world.”
Quiñones succeeds Tom Corser, who, as the founding CEO, accomplished key milestones in partnership with the Board of Directors, including initial board and advisory formation, site selection and acquisition, foundational funding, selection of master planning firm Sasaki, and initiating the master planning process. Corser will work closely with Quiñones on a smooth and seamless transition to ensure the Arboretum continues its successful trajectory.
“Arboretum San Antonio is grateful to Tom Corser for his commitment, diligence, and hard work as founding CEO. His energy and enthusiasm to bring the vision of Founder Henry Cisneros and the Board of Directors to life, coupled with his love of nature and trees, has been invaluable to the creation of Arboretum San Antonio. We are excited to welcome Adriana Quiñones to San Antonio and look forward to her leadership,” said Evangelina Flores, Chair of the Board of Directors for Arboretum San Antonio.
Most recently, Quiñones was Executive Director of the Columbus Botanical Garden in Columbus, Georgia. During her tenure, she embarked on a capital campaign, significantly increased educational programming, developed strategic partnerships within the community, and led efforts to complete the Garden’s new strategic and master plan.
Quiñones also served as the first Executive Director of the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Garden in Punta Gorda, Florida, where she identified and created new revenue streams and built relationships with state, local, and community members to increase funding opportunities. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in North Carolina, where she successfully led a capital campaign to construct the Manning Children’s Garden.
Quiñones serves as the first Hispanic Board member of the American Public Gardens Association and has co-chaired its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in horticulture with an emphasis on plant molecular genetics, both from Ohio State University.
In May 2024, the Arboretum San Antonio Board of Directors engaged Kittleman & Associates, which has successfully recruited nonprofit leaders for public gardens, arboreta, and conservation organizations, to conduct a search for its Chief Executive Officer. The board’s search committee interviewed several exceptional candidates with extensive experience managing arboreta, gardens, and other arts and cultural organizations.
Arboretum San Antonio will be the first arboretum in San Antonio and South Texas and is on track to be Texas’ second largest arboretum, boasting 188 acres of green space with heritage trees, Salado Creek, four-plus miles of existing paved trails, and a recycled water pond. With a mission committed to environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship, Arboretum San Antonio is dedicated to conserving and showcasing the diverse plant life of Texas for the enjoyment and education of all. It will be a sanctuary not only for the regional community but also for national and international visitors. This effort is a long-term investment for the San Antonio region that will take significant visionary investments and time, from seed to growth, into a flourishing museum of trees for future generations. For more information, visit arboretumsa.org.
