OAGC President - Debbie downes "seed the future"

Debbie Downes was a founding member of the Osborn Historic Garden Club in 2009. That same year the club joined OAGC. She served as club President for six years, and served as Vice President for four years. As a member of region 16, she served as club contest chair, county contact chair, and regional secretary. She became the OAGC 2^nd Vice President in 2020 and 1^st VP in 2021.

Debbie is a retired Lt Colonel from the US Air Force. She was first enlisted as a supply specialist and after receiving her Bachelors of Science from the University of Minnesota she was commissioned. She also had the opportunity to earn her Masters of Science from Pennsylvania State University. She worked as a registered dietitian for both the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis and during her years in the Air Force.

Debbie grew up in Worthington, Ohio and retired from Wright-Patterson AFB. She currently lives in Fairborn. 

Besides her involvement in OAGC, she became a Greene County Master Gardener in 2019. Her area of interest is native plants and she spends most of her volunteer time at the Governor’s Mansion Heritage Gardens in Bexley.

Debbie and her partner, Michael Cox, love to travel (especially to see gardens), play board games, and listen to music. 

As President of OAGC, Debbie hopes to be responsive to member’s needs, the challenges of a volunteer organization, and contribute to the future of this State organization.