Staff + Board
Bryant Smith, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bryant works with staff, stakeholders, and the organization’s Board of Directors to execute the organization’s strategic priorities.
A native of East Baltimore, Bryant was selected to lead the organization after a distinguished career as an Urban Forester with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks. In a career spanning nearly thirty years, he has served in senior leadership positions with the U.S. Forest Service and environmental nonprofits across the Chesapeake Bay region.
Bryant is a past Warnock Foundation Fellow, as well as a licensed commercial pilot, who, in 2015, founded and led Flight One Carriers to fly relief missions to victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Justin Bowers, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Justin oversees our staff and community partnerships to implement the organization’s core programs – Trees for Public Health, Urban Roots Apprenticeship, and Putting Down Roots.
Beginning his career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Justin has over 8 years of experience in urban ecology and watershed conservation. While completing Master’s Degrees in Landscape Architecture and Conservation Ecology at the University of Michigan, he served as the chief caretaker of the university’s botanical gardens and arboretum.
Justin is an ISA-certified arborist and co-chair of the Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board.
Alex Smith, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Alex manages the organization’s field operations, with responsibility for all tree planting and maintenance across the city. Possessing a diverse greening background and a passion to educate, Alex has been a natural leader for the organization’s field crews, as well as assisting with our neighborhood outreach efforts.
Alex is a certified Master Gardener and is currently completing his certificate in Sustainable Horticulture from the Community College of Baltimore County. In 2018, the Center for Urban Families honored him with their Urban Visionary Award.
Kwamel Couther, TREE CARE FOREMAN
Starting his tree-care and maintenance career at just 15 years old, Kwamel is now a self-proclaimed outdoorsman who loves to see his work grow.
Prior to joining BTT, Kwamel spent several years with Civic Works, Cylburn Arboretum, and a privately-held residential landscaping company. Kwamel was the recipient of the first annual Ed Miller Award and the 2015 Volunteer of the Year award from Civic Works.
Kwamel is currently completing his certificate in Sustainable Horticulture at the Community College of Baltimore County.
Maggie Park, GIS INTERN
Throughout the Spring of 2020, Maggie has been instrumental in building the organization’s tree inventory and field data collection tools. Maggie also provides crucial support to other administrative areas that improve the organization’s capacity to deliver high-impact programming.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Margaret Baldwin
David Bramble
Howard Cohen
Christopher Feiss
Alex Fisher
Allan House
Chris Mfume
Thomasina Poirot
Ashley Principe
Annie Umbricht
Chad Vrany
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Jane Brown
W. T. Dixon “Dick” Gibbs
Barbara Shea
HONORARY MEMBER
Tom Horton
