2007 Horticultural Excellence Award presented to Diane Meucci

Jim Duncan Receives Award for 2007 Horticultural Excellence

Jim is a native of Itta Bena, MS with an undergraduate degree from Delta State University and a graduate degree from the University of Memphis. He is been married to Elizabeth Duncan.  Elizabeth is the Director of Development for the Salvation Army.  They have two children, Jim Jr. and Beth, and six grandsons ages 5–11. Jim and Elizabeth are active members of Christ United Methodist Church where Jim has taught a Sunday School class for 12 years. Jim’s hobbies are fishing and attending any Ole Miss sporting event.

His first 8 years as a professional he was a teacher/coach with Memphis City Schools. He entered the business world in 1973. For the next 17 years he served in various capacities with the Mead Johnson Division of Bristol Myers, ranging from initial position of sales representative to Director of Sales. Returning to Memphis in 1989, Jim was a Division President with Smith and Nephew until starting his own management and consulting business in 1997. In 2004, Jim became Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden. While not a gardener, he has become very knowledgeable and interested in plants.

Jim has brought new life to the Memphis Botanic Garden. Here are a few of his accomplishments in his leadership role: re-connected the Garden with the Memphis community, especially the garden clubs and plant societies; spearheaded fundraising and construction of the Rick Pudwell Horticultural Center, completed in 2006; worked to bring the Garden back to secure financial footing and established a $400,000 reserve fund, making it one of GuideStar’s top echelon non-profits; oversaw the installation of the Blue Star Marker; made Live at the Garden its most profitable since its inception; assisted in the establishment of a level 4 arboretum with the state of TN; and introduced a flock of American Wild Turkeys to the Garden, where they are flourishing!. He is currently leading the drive to raise $5 million for the completion of the long-awaited Children’s Garden.

Past MHS Excellence Award Recipients

1984 Karl Keastle
1985 Kenneth O’ Dell
1986 Tom Pellett
1987 Ann Blecken
1988 Barbara Taylor
1989 Larry Wilson
1990 Frances Spence
1991 John Pierce
1992 Plato Touliatos
1993 Jim Browne
1994 Michele Connelly
1995 Christine Spindel
1996 Mary B. Winton-1997 Larry Lowman
1998 Dianne Reed-1999 Larry Force
2000 Joanne Bowes-2001 Fred Nowak
2002 Rick Pudwell-2003 Bill Colvard
2004 Paul Little-2005 Christine Gang
2006 Diane Meucci