Board Members

Edward W. Andrews III
Seattle, Washington

Susan Ashmun
Seattle, Washington
The Highlands Community Representative

Tanya DeMarsh-Dodson
Lynnwood, Washington

Stephen Fisher
Medina, Washington

Steve Lorton
Seattle, Washington

Frank Minton
Seattle, Washington

Susan Nevler
Seattle, Washington

Geoffrey Revelle
Seattle, Washington

Burnley Snyder
Seattle, Washington
The Highlands Community Representative

Richard G. Turner Jr.
San Francisco, California

Miller Garden Staff

Richie Steffen, Executive Director

Anyone who is acquainted with Richie knows he has horticultural exuberance! He loves plants and he willingly shares his vast knowledge of the plant kingdom. Richie joined the Miller Garden in 2000, bringing with him a variety of horticultural expertise. After moving from Maryland to Seattle in 1989, he worked at Sky Nursery in Shoreline, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, and as a part-time instructor for the horticulture program at Edmonds Community College before beginning work at the Miller Garden. In May 2017 Richie became director of the Miller Garden and he oversees all aspects of the Garden, including the plant collections, educational programs, and staff.

He also currently serves as a board member of the Northwest Horticultural Society as well as board member and president of the Hardy Fern Foundation.

Richie is always on the hunt for what is new in horticulture throughout the country by travelling, plant collecting, visiting gardens and networking with other horticulture professionals. He regularly lectures and writes and is always ready to share his love for plants. Richie also enjoys photography and his photos can be seen in many regional publications as well as the websites for the Miller Garden and Great Plant Picks.

Del Brummet, Head Gardener 

In July 2015 Del was hired as one of two part-time, year-long student interns which led to a permanent position as assistant gardener two years later and then head gardener in October 2019. Del grew up in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle and he graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Biology. Del’s fascination with growing plants has greatly expanded since working at the Miller Garden; when he and his wife bought a house in 2020 he immediately began to create a garden and grow a variety of plants.

Mike Coussens, Gardener

Mike accepted one of two internships at the Miller Garden in the summer of 2018, and he was hired on as gardener in 2019. Originally from Oregon, Mike moved to Seattle in 2002 to begin a career in physical therapy. After 15 years in the health care field, a strong desire to work outside and experience the regenerative powers of gardening prompted him to pursue a new career in horticulture.

Mike formally began his transition into horticulture in 2016-2017 by attending and graduating from South Seattle College with a Landscape Horticulture – Sustainable Land Management Certificate. Mike’s experience at the Miller Garden has intensified his love of plants exponentially, and he relishes the opportunity to continue to learn how to best care for the Garden’s exceptional collection.

Dennis Beatty, Gardener

The Internship Program brought another budding horticulturist to the Miller Garden in 2020. Dennis, who moved to Seattle from New York, had originally begun his education in mechanical engineering but switched to horticulture and attended Edmonds Community College where he earned a horticulture degree. A few months after his internship ended, Dennis joined the garden staff part-time in late 2021. Dennis is also the Programs Administrator for the Hardy Fern Foundation.

Rick Peterson, Education & Events Manager

Rick became the Great Plant Picks Manager in October 2009 to oversee the primary educational program of the Miller Garden. In 2017 he assumed the additional responsibilities for garden events and scheduling garden tours. Prior to working at the Garden he spent 24 years as garden manager at the Rhododendron Species Foundation in Federal Way, Washington, including ten years as co-executive director.