BOARD MEMBERS
The GCOA Board of Directors meets regularly to plan events, review finances, and ensure a fully compliant non-profit organization. Enhanced by our Orchid Show committee members, the Board plans the annual GCOA Orchid Show, held each year in March. ALL GCOA members are welcome to attend the Board meetings, held the Mondays before our Thursday meetings, and participate in planning and discussion of issues. Meetings are held in a small clubhouse, in a collegial and positive atmosphere, and dinner is served! Ask any Board member for information about joining us in planning our great events!
JIM LONGWELL
President
Jim Longwell has decades of experience growing and showing orchids, and has received dozens of AOS awards for flower quality. While he specializes in growing many unusual genera, his Vandas are truly exceptional and are his “passion.” Read more . . .
Elaine gates
First VP - Programs
Elaine Gates says she grows orchids “to have beautiful blooming plants in my house at all times!” Over decades she has learned how to be successful in growing, mounting, and showing all kinds of orchids; and she loves sharing Read more . . .
VACANT
2ND VP - MEMBERSHIP
Rae Jean Walker
SECRETARY - MEMBERSHIP
Rae Jean Walker lived and worked in Joliet, Illinois all of her life until 2013 when she and her husband moved full-time to Naples. Read more . . .
DAVID CUSTER
Treasurer
David Custer grew up in Iowa, but lived in the Washington, DC area for 42 years. In 1990 he founded an environmental consulting business and was President and CEO for 20 years. Read more . . .
Paxon Roan
Director 1 - Education
Hello GCOA, loving orchids is part of who I am. This love was fostered by my mom who collected orchids too. After I moved out of the house, she gave me a few orchids. 2-3 turned into about 50 very quickly. Now I have hundreds. Read more . . .
JOHN FINER
Director 2 - Education
Sharon McKie
Director 3 - communications
Originally from the Pacific NW, she has resided in Florida for the past 35 years. She attended the University of Washington majoring in Audio-Visual Arts and Oregon State University majoring Read more . . .