Barry Mandel, President and Park Director

Administration

Melinda Parmer, Business Manager

Maria Aguirre, Executive Assistant

Operations

• Clark Curry, RLA, Operations Director
• Jacob Adame, Operations Crew
• Louis Adame, Operations Crew Chief
• Adrienne Carr, Operations Crew
• Derrick Daniels, Facility Engineer
• Guadalupe Davila, Jr., Operations Crew
• William Flowers, Site Manager
• Noe Hernandez, Operations Crew
• Jason Segundo, Operations Crew
• Larry Vasquez, Ambassador Team Leader
• Brian Wilmer, Site Manager and Horticulturalist

Programming

• Susanne Theis, Program Director
• Gary Hernandez, Event Coordinator
• Candy Sigust, Assistant Event Coordinator
• Lori Ann San Miguel, Programming & Communications Coordinator
• Martin Landaverde, Event Programming Assistant
• Ashley Davis, Event Technician

Advancement

• Eileen Aparicio, Data Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
• Julie H. Bergen, Development Consultant

Barry Mandel, President and Park Director

Barry joined Discovery Green from Legacy Community Health Services, where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer and Capital Campaign Director for four years. A native Houstonian, Mandel has served for many years in the non-profit community, both on the management side and on the board of directors level. Prior to his time at Legacy, Barry served as the executive director of the Houston Theater District for six years and was instrumental in the merger of the Theater District and the Downtown Houston Association to create the Houston Downtown Alliance, which he ran for an additional three years.

As President and Park Director, Barry is responsible for the executive management of park operations, programming, fundraising, and continuing to build upon the tremendous success of this downtown destination.

Melinda Parmer, Business Manager

Melinda has been active in Houston’s non-profit community for most of her adult life. She was born in Houston and now considers it home, after spending time in Louisiana, Brazil, Mexico and most recently, Arizona. Her varied background includes a degree in music from Tulane University and 24 years running HITS Theatre in the Heights.

As Business Manager, Melinda’s responsibilities go far beyond just bookkeeping and spreadsheets. Melinda collaborates with other employees on developing procedures that will streamline many of the park’s processes, from park maintenance schedules to data entry strategies. Melinda utilizes computerized and web-based methods to managing HR tasks and accounts, as these methods are “greener”– less paper, and fewer trips to the post office and bank.

Maria Aguirre, Executive Assistant

Maria joined Discovery Green in February 2008 after being in the media industry for 14 years. As Executive Assistant, she supports the Staff and Management. Maria has called Houston home for more than 30 years.

Operations

Clark Curry, RLA, Operations Director

Clark joined Discovery Green in November 2007. He has more than 15 of years experience working for Municipal Governments in the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.  Prior to coming to Discovery Green, Clark worked for the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department.  He was assigned to the Central Division of the Greenspace Management Department and his responsibilities included Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou, Hermann Square, Tranquility Park and Sam Houston Park. Clark is a Registered Landscape Architect and earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University. 

As Operations Director, Clark is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the park. This includes overseeing maintenance and security, facilitating and supporting special events, and managing contractors who perform work in the park. 

Jacob Adame, Operations Crew

Louis Adame, Operations Crew Chief

Adrienne Carr, Operations Crew

Derrick Daniels, Facility Engineer

Guadalupe Davila, Jr., Operations Crew

William Flowers, Site Manager

Noe Hernandez, Operations Crew

Jason Segundo, Operations Crew

Larry Vasquez, Event Staff

Brian Wilmer, Site Manager and Horticulturalist

Brian joined Discovery Green in March of 2008. He has over 20 years of professional landscaping experience, including 14 years with The Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Horticulture Division. There his responsibilities included keeping the roses at the Garden Center in Herman Park, landscaping the historic homes in Sam Houston Park, landscaping City Hall and Tranquillity Park, and landscaping projects along Buffalo Bayou. He also refurbished the landscaping at 14 Houston libraries. Privately he has landscaped many homes and businesses in Houston.

When not managing Discovery Green on the weekends, Brian can be found lurking in the shrubbery at the park when supervising the gardening crews or working on one of the many different theme gardens in the park. Brian is working with the Operations Director to keep Discovery Green an organically maintained garden, expand the park’s composting program, and keep the grounds lush and vibrant for visitors who come to Discovery Green from around the world.

Programming

Susanne Theis, Program Director

Susanne joined Discovery Green as Programming Director after 25 years at The Orange Show, sponsor of the city’s popular, off-the-wall Art Car Parade. Susanne is a published writer, art curator and has lectured around the country on Folk and Outsider Art. As Programming Director, she is working to build the programming framework for Discovery Green, and will concentrate on scheduling events and ongoing activities that will appeal to Houston’s diverse community.

Gary Hernandez, Event Coordinator

Gary joined Discovery Green as Event Coordinator after six years with the University of Houston – Downtown in the President's Office, where he served as the Coordinator of Constituent Relations. Gary grew up in Houston's inner city and considers downtown Houston his home. As Event Coordinator, Gary works with the Programming Staff to coordinate and implement activities and events that reflect Houston's diversity, and that the community can enjoy on a daily basis.

Lori Ann San Miguel, Programming & Communications Coordinator

Lori came to Discovery Green from the University of Houston. As Programming & Communications Coordinator, Lori coordinates public events and activities. Lori works closely with the public relations team handling some of the marketing and media aspects, and manages the website. She also organizes some private events, and handles some of the park's corporate sampling and sponsorships.

Martin Landaverde, Programming Assistant

Ashley Davis, Event Technician

Ashley grew up in and around the Houston area and considers himself a proud Houstonian. He brings 6+ years of audio/video experience to Discovery Green. Ashley finds the success of both public and private events his greatest satisfaction.

Advancement

Eileen Aparicio, Data Manager/Volunteer Coordinator

Eileen Aparicio is originally from Detroit, Michigan but has called Houston her home for over 13 years. As Data Manager/Volunteer Coordinator, Eileen manages the database and also coordinates the volunteers for all events. She enjoys working at such a beautiful park that the public can enjoy.

Julie H. Bergen, Development Consultant 

Julie is another native Houstonian, and she spent 10 years as a special events manager with Texas Children’s Hospital. As Development Consultant, Julie has executed the building campaign for the park, and she is currently creating an annual giving program. Julie is delighted to be a part of a unique project that will have a permanent spot in Houston’s recreational offerings.