West Palm Beach, FL – October 22, 2024 – The Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden proudly announces the appointment of James E. May as its new Executive Director. He was selected through a comprehensive nationwide search and will officially begin his role on November 18, 2024. Under his leadership, the Garden is poised for a new era of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jim as our new Executive Director,” said Scott Scovill, Board President of Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. “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.”
May brings decades of non-profit leadership, strategic expertise, and a solid dedication to education, positioning him to lead Mounts into an exciting phase of growth and progress.
“I’m ready to lead Mounts Botanical Garden into its next stage of growth,” said May. “We have a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the Garden’s role as a vital community resource by expanding education, launching targeted conservation initiatives, and creating meaningful, immersive experiences for visitors. We’ll enhance our impact on environmental education, tourism, and public engagement by fostering strategic partnerships. Together, we’ll ensure the Garden grows purposefully, deepening its connection to nature and the community we proudly serve while fulfilling its potential as a destination for inspiration and discovery.”
With extensive leadership experience in the public and private sectors, May brings a seasoned and forward-thinking approach to his role as Executive Director of Mounts. As Chief of Staff at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, May advanced the museum’s mission through effective leadership, operational management, and careful financial oversight. He led efforts to streamline operations, improve economic performance, and align the museum’s core functions with long-term goals, expanding accessibility and significantly increasing its capacity to serve the public.
Building on his extensive experience, May has consistently prioritized sustainable growth, meaningful community engagement, and strong partnerships. As he steps into the leadership role at Mounts, his approach remains focused on purposeful expansion, ensuring the Garden thrives as a premier destination for environmental education, cultural tourism, and community pride.
May’s proven ability to secure significant financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations has been vital to achieving long-term sustainability for the organizations he has served. He is adept at cultivating donor relationships, diversifying revenue streams, and forging partnerships with cultural organizations, schools, and businesses to broaden impact and reach.
In his decades of leadership, May has consistently prioritized program development, project management, and quality improvement, spearheading innovative initiatives that engage diverse audiences and support sustainable growth. Named a young leader of note by the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty, May played a key role in designing, developing, and completing the $105 million Indiana State Museum in downtown Indianapolis. His visionary approach recently shone through at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, where his leadership of the Machu Picchu exhibition tripled membership and significantly boosted the museum’s community presence—the experience he now brings to Mounts, aiming to elevate the Garden’s impact and reach.
May has also made significant contributions to the broader museum industry as a reaccreditation peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, helping to advance industry standards and best practices. His financial acumen and innovative leadership have given boards and stakeholders strategic insights—promoting sound business management and driving sustainable growth. A recipient of the Arts Council of Indianapolis’s Creative Renewal Fellowship, May holds a Master of Arts degree in Art History from Indiana University and serves on the advisory panel for the Center for Arts and Innovation.
As the new Executive Director of Mounts, May is ready to leverage his extensive experience to craft a bold, forward-looking vision for the Garden’s continued growth. “Mounts has established itself as a leading destination for excellence in education and natural beauty,” said May. “I’m committed to building on this strong foundation, broadening our impact, and enhancing the visitor experience to ensure the Garden continues to thrive.” His vision seeks to build momentum and expand Mounts’ reach, securing its future success.
Recognizing the unique public-private partnership that supports Mounts—including Palm Beach County, the University of Florida, and the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden 501(c)(3)—May is committed to strengthening these vital collaborations. By fostering a unified vision for the Garden’s future, he seeks to align efforts and amplify each partner’s impact, positioning Mounts for continued excellence.
May has built a reputation for aligning programmatic vision with audience needs, elevating engagement, and ensuring institutional relevance. He is dedicated to securing Mounts’ prominent position while delivering significant value to visitors, supporters, and the broader community. May also aims to sustain and strengthen Mounts’ role as a living laboratory for scientific research and a haven for those seeking beauty, tranquility, and restoration. By bridging academic excellence with accessible public programming, he will ensure Mounts continues to inspire everyone, from scientists to casual visitors, securing its future as a place of learning, exploration, and renewal.
Mounts Botanical Garden & Bloomberg Connects
Explore Anytime, Anywhere with New Mobile Garden Guide
Visitors can now explore Mounts Botanical Garden anytime from anywhere across the globe with the new Mobile Garden Guide. Launched in partnership with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide elevates and enriches the visitor experience by making it easy to discover more of what people love before, during, and after they visit the Garden. Multi-media content includes maps and information on Mounts Botanical’s 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as an ever-growing spectrum of new photo, audio, and video content available exclusively via the app. To learn more and download the app, visit www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/.
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical Garden is at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
Attached Image: Photo Credit: Oliver Studios, 2024
James May, Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden Executive Director
Available for Interview: James May, Executive Director, Mounts Botanical Garden
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS
561.756.4298 / gary@pr-bs.net
