Curriculum Vitae
Work History
Owner - Thistle & Bee Botanics
June 2022 - Present
Thistle & Bee Botanics offers landscape coaching and plant care for residential and business customers. Residential services include one-on-one consultations on DIY softscape installation and maintenance, IPM for indoor and outdoor plants, Willamette Valley natives and the Backyard Habitat Program, and care of tropical plants. Business services include plant sourcing, styling, and ongoing plant care.
Plant ID Assistant - Clackamas Community College
September 2023 - June 2025
As the Plant ID Assistant I am responsible for locating and preparing samples for two plant identification courses each term. Work relies heavily on keen identification skills, attention to detail, good time management, and the ability to work independently. Position requires ongoing collaboration with professors, work in all weather conditions, and excellent organizational skills.
Propagator - XPlant Laboratory
November 2023 - June 2024
As a propagator with XPlant Laboratory, I’ve developed a solid understanding of all stages of plant tissue culture. My responsibilities include stock plant management, initiation of plant material into Stage 1, cutting and transferring plants to Stages 2 and 3, and growing Stage 4 plants hydroponically. Primary crops include wasabi, hemp, hops, and tropical foliage.
Tropical Foliage Grower - Fessler Nursery
January 2023 - August 2023
As grower at Fessler Nursery, I oversaw plant health for six indoor acres of tropical foliage. Responsibilities included vegetative propagation, overseeing fertigation, scouting, plant health diagnosis, plant identification, product pricing, pesticide application, and integrated pest management. During my time here I initiated a program utilizing beneficial insects for pest management, including rearing Dalotia coriaria for inoculated control of a variety of common greenhouse pests.
Quality Control Analyst - Oregon DHS
December 2009 - May 2022
During my time with the Oregon Department of Human Services I held several roles, primarily related to program policy. In my most recent roll as Quality Control Analyst I completed audits of the SNAP program. Responsibilities included conducting interviews with clients, verifying financial and household information, and preparing reports as prescribed by the USDA. Work required monthly travel, time management, the ability to work independently and as a team, and an in-depth understanding of both Federal and State administrative rules. Other skills included training and providing feedback to staff, facilitation, LEAN process development and implementation, deescalation and conflict resolution, and communicating complex information to a variety of stakeholders.
Horticulture Intern - Leach Botanical Garden
July 2025 - August 2025
My internship with Leach Botanical Garden is focused on cataloguing botanical collections, community education, and fine gardening for plant health and aesthetics. During my internship I took an inventory of the Pollinator Garden which included over 4800 individual plants. I also developed and delivered a talk titled ‘Demystifying Native Plants’ for adult learners, aimed at helping gardeners feel confident selecting native plants for their yards. Gardening tasks included espalier training camellias, designing and updating seasonal displays, and general pruning, weeding, and editing.
Education
AAS - Landscape Management
2025, Clackamas Community College
AAS - Horticulture
2025, Clackamas Community College
AAS - Arboriculture
2026, Clackamas Community College
AAS - Graphic Design
2008, Portland Community College
AA - Oregon Transfer Degree
2005, Clackamas Community College
CC - Horticulture
2024, Clackamas Community College
CC - Landscape Practies
2025, Clackamas Community College
CC - Plant Health management
2024, Clackamas Community College
Organizations
Friends of Rogerson Clematis Collection
Board of Directors (2025 - Present)
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon
Committee Chair, PlantFest 2025
Member (2024 - Present)
CCC Horticulture Club
President (2024 - 2025)
Oregon Landscape Contrators Association
Member (2024 - Present)
American Public Garden Association
Member (2025 - Present)
Awards
2025 Cougie Award for Exemplary Leadership
The Cougie Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership, personal integrity, shared vision, and espouses the College’s values of Belonging, Community, Equity, Learning, and Student Success
2025 Dean’s Award of Excellence
The Dean’s Award of Excellence recognizes students who have maintained a high level of academic success while making a positive impact within their department.
CCC President’s List
The President’s List recognizes students who have maintained a 4.0 GPA. Received Fall 2023 through Spring 2025.
2023 Ed Wood Memorial Award, Oregon Association of Nurseries
The Ed Wood Memorial Award is given to individuals showing promise and commitment towards making significant future contributions to the nursery industry.