President
Bruce A. Harkey, President and CEO, joined Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in 2007. Inspired by horticulture, the Conservatory elevates quality of life and connects the community through educational, cultural and social experiences.
To achieve this mission, Harkey led the successful implementation of ten new world-class facilities and botanical gardens, completing the first half of the Conservatory’s Master Plan. A capital campaign of $45 million from the private and public sector supported this bold vision. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and Expanded Visitor Experience projects will usher in the next 25-year era. The future will focus on new world-class botanical gardens, experiences for families and children and an expansion of informal education and community outreach programs while ensuring financial sustainability.
Prior to the Conservatory, Harkey spent four years with Honda Motor Company in Tokyo, Japan in an international management training program and fourteen years in management positions with Honda of America Manufacturing in Marysville, Ohio.
Harkey received Bachelor of Science degrees in Landscape Horticulture and Package Engineering from Michigan State University.
Harkey serves on the board of Experience Columbus. He is the former president of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium (CCLC) and is a former board member of the Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO), Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), Clintonville Beechwold Resources Center (CRC), and the Asian Festival.
