Celebrating new leadership and horticultural expertise

The Preserve is excited to welcome three incredibly talented individuals to our leadership team, each bringing deep expertise and passion to advance our mission. After an extensive national search, Rob Cardeiro joined as Chief Financial Officer on September 8, and Wayne Emington will step into the newly created role of Chief Operations Officer on October 20. In addition, the Preserve is delighted to announce that Andy Brand has joined as Head Grower, to oversee the farm and greenhouse production at McAlpin Farm. 

“Building out a leadership team was a key necessity when I began my role here,” said CEO Patrick MacRae. “With Wayne and Rob on board, we will have the structure to set a clear vision, create realistic project timelines and budgets, and develop a sophisticated approach to our growth. Adding Andy as Head Grower strengthens and expands our ability to cultivate and care for the gardens at the highest level, ensuring their continued vitality.” 

Rob succeeds Chris Stevenson, who is retiring after ten years of dedicated service as Director of Business Operations. Rob brings extensive nonprofit experience, most recently as Finance Director at the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) Foundation and has also served as Vice President of the Seacoast Science Center in New Hampshire and as Executive Director of the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Rhode Island. Known for his integrity and collaboration, Rob has worked closely with boards and staff to strengthen finances, introduce new systems, and build organizational trust. He and his wife, Dawn, recently relocated to Mount Desert Island with their Portuguese Water Dog, Pipi. 

As COO, Wayne will oversee the daily operations of the Preserve, ensuring that projects and workflows are managed efficiently and aligned with the Preserve’s goals. His portfolio will include human resources, information technology, insurance, cross-departmental capital projects, and development of annual and multi-year operations plans. Wayne joins us from the National Park Service, where he served as Associate Regional Director for Facilities, Design & Construction. A licensed Professional Engineer, Wayne brings 15 years of experience in capital project management, cultural landscape planning, and cross-functional team leadership. He lives in Southwest Harbor with his wife, Kalie, and twin daughters, Josephine and Eloise. 

As Head Grower, Andy will provide vision and leadership for the cultivation and care of the Preserve’s greenhouse operations. He comes to the Preserve after a distinguished career at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, where he served as Director of Horticulture and previously as Plant Curator. Andy is widely respected in the horticultural community for his expertise in plant collections, propagation, and integrated garden management. He is also a passionate educator and communicator, having lectured nationally on plants, pollinators, and garden stewardship.  

With Rob, Wayne, and Andy joining the team, the Preserve is well positioned to strengthen its leadership, deepen its horticultural expertise, and guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and stewardship. 

Photographs by Nikolai Fox

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