Naples Botanical Garden has named Jane Purdy Berger, Fermin A. Diaz, P.E. and John D. Fumagalli to the Garden’s Board of Directors.
“We are pleased to have these outstanding community leaders join our Board of Directors,” stated Judy Sproul, Board Chairman. “Each one brings unique talents and expertise to the Garden that will serve us well as we prepare for the grand opening in November and into the future.”
Jane Purdy Berger has been an integral part of the Garden since introducing the Hats in the Garden concept six years ago. First held on November 4, 2005; it has become the Garden’s signature fundraising event, netting well over a million dollars to date. Her leadership experience includes chairing events for Naples Community Foundation, Greater Naples Leadership, Naples Art Museum, and Franklin Park Conservatory and Columbus Art Museum in Columbus, OH. She has served on numerous committees throughout the world, including; Images of Immokalee, the Fund for National Botanical Garden, American School of Milan, Italy, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. After an education at Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas, Mrs. Berger worked in the fashion industry in Dallas, TX. She has lived and traveled throughout the world and currently calls New York and Naples home.
Fermin A. Diaz, P.E is President of WilsonMiller, Inc. He has more than 30 years of experience as a civil engineer. Mr. Diaz has overseen an impressive period of growth throughout Florida and select markets in Latin America and the Caribbean for the multi-disciplinary planning, design and engineering company. Mr. Diaz joined WilsonMiller as a project engineer upon graduation from the University of South Florida in 1977 and became a Principal and Member of the Board of Directors prior to being named President. A graduate of Naples High School and longtime resident of Naples, Mr. Diaz is a visible leader in the community, offering his time, and support to a host of activities in community as well as business and professional organizations locally and statewide. He has won numerous awards and recognitions and has served on the Board of the Collier County Education Foundation and the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce.
John D. Fumagalli is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Southwest Florida region of Northern Trust, NA. He joined Northern Trust in Chicago in March 1989 and served in a variety of roles before he moved into his current position in August of 2005. Mr. Fumagalli received a B.A. degree in Economics in 1983 from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a Masters degree in Business Administration in 1997 from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Fumagalli also serves on several other boards including Naples Community Hospital Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, the Collier County Advisory Board for Catholic Charities, and the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Naples Botanical Garden is in the process of creating a world-class tropical garden paradise that will include cultivated gardens of Brazil, the Caribbean, and a hands-on interactive Children’s Garden along with 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats. The Garden will open to the public in November 2009. For more information call 239-643-7275 or visit www.naplesgarden.org, where the Garden is virtually open.
Media Contact: Amy Kessler Telephone: 239-643-7275 Email: akessler@naplesgarden.org