Drew Becher

President
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Drew became the 36th President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in 2010. Under his leadership, PHS has initiated the Plant One Million campaign to restore the region’s tree canopy; expanded the City Harvest program, which provides fresh produce to more than 1,000 families in need each week during the growing season; initiated the PHS Pop Up Garden projects; and introduced exciting new features at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show.

Drew had been Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project, which was founded by entertainer and environmentalist Bette Midler. Becher led the non-profit NYRP since 2006, and during his tenure was a respected leader in the city’s greening and beautification initiatives.

He previously served as Deputy Director of Washington, D.C.’s Office of Planning (2004-06), where he led the creation of the Department of Environment, and before that was associate director of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation.

Drew also served as Chief of Staff for the Chicago Park District (1996-2004) and Assistant to the Mayor. He helped forge Mayor Richard M. Daley’s acclaimed environmental and beautification agenda, and led many of the initiatives that are now hallmarks of Chicago’s urban renaissance.