Frederick H. Ray, Horticulturalist
Rick Ray earned his BS in Ornamental Horticulture at N. C. State University and his MS at VA Tech. He taught horticulture for seven years at Temple-Ambler and then 20 years at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. He also managed the campus nursery and the campus arboretum at the college. Since 1986 Rick has been teaching at the Arboretum School of the Barnes Foundation as well.
A guest lecturer at several colleges, arboreta, garden clubs and plant societies on tree and shrub selection, culture, and propagation, he frequently volunteers as a plant expert at local arboreta plant sales.
In addition to filling his duties as Co-Chair, Rick coordinates the planting and care of all trees newly planted by the Tree Commission, responds to resident requests on behalf of the Code Enforcement Department and serves as the liaison to the Park and Recreation Board, the Township Board of Commissioners, and Township officials.
Rev. Jim Elliot, Chair
I am a native West Virginian. I moved to Philadelphia in 1975 and later moved to the Old School House on Cedar Grove Road in 1985. I am a retired United Methodist Clergy parson. I have served local churches and provided pastoral and clinical services to children who were removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. I served as a CEO for people with intellectual disabilities for 20 years. I am an advocate for protecting our natural environment, especially my love for trees and their importance in maintaining a healthy community.
Diana Breen, Vice Chair
Diana Breen is a retired mathematics teacher who has been a Penn State Master Gardner for 20 years. Prior to moving to Marple Township eleven years ago, she served for five years as a member of the Lansdowne Tree Advisory Board. She was awarded the Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants I and II and the Certificate of Merit in Landscape Design by Longwood Gardens, and she is a certified Tree Tender. Diana is a member of the Associates of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. She is responsible for Marple Township’s yearly application for certification as a Tree City USA, coordinates Marple’s Arbor Day celebration, and monitors the trees at Veterans Park.
Louisa Ridgway, Treasurer
Louisa Ridgway earned her BA from Vassar College and her MBA from the Wharton Graduate Business School of the University of Pennsylvania. After a career in banking and higher education, she retired from Swarthmore College where she held the position of Assistant Treasurer. She has had a number of volunteer involvements, and currently serves as President of Springton Lake Village and as a member of the executive committee of the Widows Corporation of the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania.
She is an arboretum assistant at the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College and gardens at her church. On the tree Commission she serves as Treasurer, monitors newly planted trees at Kent Park and Thomas Field, and is in charge of keeping an inventory of trees planted by MTC.
Cheryl Macklin, Ph.D., Secretary
Cheryl Macklin is a retired Biology teacher. She is a Marple-Newtown graduate and has been a resident of Marple Township since 1987. While teaching at Upper Darby High School Cheryl started the Students for Environmental Action. For their work in environmental education for students from elementary school through college, the students won an award from the EPA.
Cheryl was named Pennsylvania Environmental Woman of Action. She also taught the elementary Summer Science workshop in cooperation with the Darby Creek Valley Association. In addition to filling the role of Secretary, Cheryl works with Liz Ball in developing MTC’s Public Education programs and activities.
