BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ADVISORY COMMITTEE, and STAFF MEMBERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BATH GARDENS FOUNDATION, INC.
LORRAINE BARLETT (Vice-President)
Background: Attorney; Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army Judge Advocate Corps; Real Estate Business
- Former Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission: Term Completed March 31, 2023
- Augusta Woman’s Club: Chair for the Arts Community Service Program and AWC Chaplain
- Affiliations with the Morris Museum and Greater Augusta Arts Council
Summary: Lorraine is a great fit for Bath Gardens due to her extensive leadership roles throughout the Augusta and CSRA communities; service on numerous boards and committees including Family Promise, Mercy Ministries, the Interfaith Fellowship of Augusta Committee, and the Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Committee; her passion for culture, art, and music; her love of nature; and a reputation for always achieving the goals and objectives she sets out for herself.
MARYETTA BECK
Background: Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army Nurse Corps; Nursing; Masters in Public Administration and Information Security
Memberships and Significant Activities:
- Medical Reserve Corps Augusta, Georgia
- Scouts BSA, Georgia-Carolina Council, Programs and Facilities Liaison
- Commander, Military Order of the World Wars, Augusta Chapter
Summary: Maryetta is a multi-talented and proven leader who is passionate about our community’s health, security, and young people. She provides committed and consistent support to a myriad of youth leadership development opportunities through Scouts BSA, Military Order of the World Wars, and the Medical Reserve Corps. She is an ambassador for outdoor living, outdoor recreation, and self-reliance!
DAPHNE G. HOPSON
Background: Community Volunteer Leader
- Past Regent, Colonial Dames, Augusta, GA
- Daughters of the American Revolution, Augusta, GA (numerous leadership positions)
- Active in Local Patriotic, Historic, and Genealogical Activities
Summary: Daphne has an incredible passion for our community’s history, traditional values, and culture, and possesses a finely tuned sense of humility, coupled with a deep reverence and respect for nature. She has served on numerous community boards including the DAR’s Peter Crawford Cemetery Board and the Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Committee; and has had successful grant-writing and fundraising experiences.
CELESTINE JAMES
Background: Community Volunteer Leader and Advocate
- Georgia Republican Assembly, Membership Committee Chair 2021
- Columbia County Republican Committee, Former Precinct Chair, and 8th District Chair
- President, “Annie’s Legacy, Inc.” a domestic non-profit corporation dedicated to providing educators and students of modest means with classroom supplies and holiday meals. Annie’s Legacy is named in honor of her mother, Annie Ruth Page Jones, who raised her family with only a 4th grade education before tragically passing away from breast cancer at age 57.
Summary: Celestine or “CJ” is described, by those who know her best, as a woman of strong moral character, a strong work ethic, and deep love for God – very much like her mother, Annie. CJ has a special passion for outreach, diversity, and affection for disadvantaged individuals, groups, and communities.
ROBERT MULLINS
Background: Attorney with Specialization in Environmental & Natural Resources Law
Memberships and Significant Activities:
- Published Author of local history: 5 books, 25(+) journal publications
- Georgia Association of Historians
- Political Science Professor – East Georgia State College, Augusta
Summary: Rob is a dedicated environmentalist, committed to the preservation of our state and local communities’ natural resources, and has a deep passion for the history of Augusta and the CSRA. Rob has won numerous educational service awards, writing awards, and has previously been selected as East Georgia State College’s “Teacher of the Year.”
SAM “REGGIE” SHANNON
Background: Former Nurse at Charlie Norwood VA Center and Scout Leader [Disabled]
- Scout Master, Troop 15, Augusta, Scouts BSA Georgia-Carolina Council (20+ Years)
- Wood Badge Certification
- District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver Award
Summary: Reggie is the epitome of “can do” leadership and despite being confined to a wheelchair for more than 30 years, he has never let his physical condition impede or slow him down in any way. He has served magnificently as Troop 15’s Scout Master, touching and positively impacting the lives of hundreds of young men and women. He is a role model for all who know him, young and old alike!
REBECCA SHORES
- Adjutant, 11th District American Legion
- Coordinator, Annual CSRA Veterans Day Parade
- Connections with CSRA & Athens, GA “Medieval Role Playing” Group (AMGUARD)
ELLIOTT WOODWARD (Treasurer)
Background: Accounting, Finance, and Credit Management. Certified Public Accountant; Certified Management Accountant; Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Business from Augusta University.
- Member, Georgia Society of CPA’s and American Institute of CPA’s
- Past Member, Rotary Club of Augusta
- Member and Past Elder at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church
Summary: Elliott’s stellar 45-year career in accounting, finance, and credit management make him ideal to oversee the finances and accounting for Bath Gardens. He is a natural fit and a genuine professional.
Advisory COMMITTEE
BATH GARDENS FOUNDATION, INC.
KATIE GARNER
Background: Professional Artist and Local Businesswoman (Waynesboro, Georgia)
- National Golf Club’s official Artist from 1981-1995
- Past President, Burkeland Garden Club and Former Burke County “Citizen of the Year”
- Coordinator for Edmund Burke Academy’s field trips to Washington, DC, and New York City
RITA HAMILTON
Background: Augusta Woman’s Club, Past President
Memberships and Significant Activities:
- President, Augusta Council of Garden Clubs
- Secretary, Iris Garden Club
- Republican Woman’s Club
DR. JOYCE HASKELL
- Augusta Council of Garden Clubs and Vice-President, Iris Garden Club
- Town and Country Garden Club, 20-Year Member
- President, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 71, North Augusta, SC
TAYLOR HIXSON
Background: Executive Director, Room in the Inn, Chattanooga, TN
Memberships and Significant Activities:
- Freelance Writer
- Chattanooga Audubon Society
- Tennessee Aquarium Volunteer – Penguin Care
KRISTIE JOSHNSON
- Former Humanities Chair, Georgia Military College, Augusta, GA
- Published Author, Poet, and Essayist
- MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College
ERICK D. MONTGOMERY
Background: Executive Director, Historic Augusta, Inc.
- Sons of the American Revolution, COL William Few Chapter, Augusta
- Rotary Club, Augusta
- Augusta Genealogical Society
MAURINE RESCH
- Friends of the Blythe Library, Inc., President, and CEO
- Bath Presbyterian Community Food Pantry
- Community Leader and Volunteer
PHYLLIS “GIGI” SHANNON
- Tender Care Training Center, Augusta, GA (Graduate)
- Scouts BSA, Troop 15 and Georgia-Carolina Council Supporter
- Co-Director, Building Worship Center Music Ministries, Augusta, GA
NANDI SHETTY
- Pilot and Pilot Trainer
- Market Development Manager, Allover Digital Inc.
- Internet and Website Development Experience
JOSEPH SHORES
- Finance Officer, 11th District American Legion
- Chef de’ Train, 719 Voiture, Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses
- American Legion Riders
BRYAN TUSCHEN
- Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Fort Gordon Chapter
- Columbia County Rotary Club, West
- Field Agent, Knights of Columbus
CAMPBELL VAUGHN
- Columnist for the Augusta Chronicle
- Exchange Club of Augusta
- Augusta University, Masters in Public Administration (MPA)
- University of Georgia, BLA in Landscape Architecture and BS, Agricultural Business and Management.
INA VINCENT
- Friends of Blythe Library
- Former Library Media Specialist, Richmond County Board of Education (30 Years)
- Former Red Cross Volunteer for many years at Eisenhower Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA
STAFF
BATH GARDENS
Rob Mullins (Interim Manager)
Background: Rob earned his Juris Doctorate (concentration in Environmental Law) from the University of Oregon School of Law; Master of Arts in Political Science, Emory University; and Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Presbyterian College. Rob is admitted to the State Bars of Georgia and South Carolina. He was a partner at Hull Barrett before starting his own law firm, Mullins Law Firm. After 23 years of practicing law, Rob entered Higher Ed. He taught law classes at American Public University and worked his way up to a tenured Associate Professor of Political Science at East Georgia State College.
Memberships and Significant Activities:
- Published Author of several local history books and articles. His books include “The Augusta History Reader,” “The Boxing Life of Sidney “Beau Jack” Walker: Two-Time Lightweight Champion,” and “12 Monkeys & a Green Jacket.” His book, “12 Monkeys & a Green Jacket,” was nominated for the Georgia Historical Society’s Hawes Award (2015) and featured on C-SPAN’s Book TV programming (2015). Rob has also published numerous professional journal articles in the areas of environmental law and public procurement.
- Twice, Rob was honored as the Distinguished Faculty of the Year in Political Science.
- Rob has served on the Boards of Bath Gardens Foundation, Inc., the Georgia Philological Association, Le Chat Noir, Inc (Chair, 2009 – 2014), the Greater Augusta Arts Council (President, 2007 – 2009), and the Augusta Players.
- Rob has also served as Chair of the Columbia County Greenspace Committee (2005) and was a former president of the Richmond County Exchange Club (1995 – 1996).
Summary: Rob is a dedicated environmentalist, committed to the preservation of our state and local communities’ natural resources, and has a deep passion for the history of Augusta and the CSRA.
Joe Ference (Property Maintenance Manager)
Summary: Joe began work at Bath Gardens in 2023, not long after moving to this area from the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. He brought experience ranging from national parks, wildlife rescue, construction and trades, to erosion control. Dogs are quite special to him, so it is no surprise that he and Penny, the resident mascot, have formed a special bond. Joe has a deep passion for nature and says quite often that this is his dream job.
Catherine B. Fleming “Sweetie” (Full Time Volunteer)
- Low Country Colonial Dames; French Quarter Board; Halifax DAR; Huguenot Church Charleston
Summary: Catherine is a “jack of all trades, master of none” who enjoys a challenge. Her passion for the restoration of Bath Gardens stems from her grandfather, Lonnie Boardman’s love of preservation, nature, and beauty. Just as her grandfather was not aware of the challenge ahead of him, Catherine says she has been “knocked to her knees” with the challenge of restoring the garden, she but perseveres thanks to the many people who support the venture with time, talent, and treasure.
