Bob Rubin has a vision for the Landis Arboretum in Esperance.
In fact, he has quite a few visions: horse trails, scout campground, performing arts center and more.
All that, and he’s been the Arboretum’s new executive director for only two weeks.
“I’m living a dream,” Mr. Rubin, 47, said last week. “Some people land on their feet. I landed in a bed of roses.”
Mr. Rubin replaces Thom O’Connor, who left the position last year.
Mr. Rubin comes to the Arboretum by way of Albany. . .and Alaska, Korea and Buffalo. Much of his career has been as a grant writer for non-profits and municipalities.
Working for tribal municipal governments in Alaska, Mr. Rubin garnered $7 million in grants in two years.
Most of those grants, he said, targeted economic development.
“I’m a grant writer. Nothing fancy about it,” Mr. Rubin said.
But he’s also worked for Chambers of Commerce and in economic development.
His work with non-profits and success at grant writing were two factors that interested the Arboretum directors.
“I’ve never been more optimistic,” said Anne Donnelly, president of the board of directors. “Bob has a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Mr. Rubin will be putting that knowledge and experience to work for the Arboretum’s 500-plus acres of trees, plants and trails.
He sees the Arboretum as a blend of art, nature and economic development.
“This is natural art,” Mr. Rubin said. “Arborists provide an artistic hand in nature.”
The Arboretum, he added, “is art as economic development and quality of life. This is an economic driver that is untapped. We have to market it so more people enjoy it.”
Part of marketing will come from the groundwork laid by Fred Breglia, who’s been at the Arboretum for 12 years and is the director of horticulture.
“Fred has raised the Arboretum’s credibility to an astounding level,” Mr. Rubin said. “We have a national and international reputation.
And another part of the marketing will come from Mr. Rubin’s ideas:
•A boy’s Eagle Scout project to build a deer-hide teepee on one of the Arboretum’s upper fields could develop into a field of teepees as a base for a Scout campground that host camporees for hundreds of Scouts.
•Mr. Rubin is considering a perimeter equine trail for the Arboretum, eventually including stables.
•The Arboretum borders 4,000 acres of state land, and Mr. Rubin is looking into having the Arboretum develop trails on the land––through grants–-that would link up with Arboretum trails.
•Within two years, he wants to convert the Arboretum’s barn, which now houses equipment, into a performing arts center.
“Everything from Shakespeare to rock ’n’ roll to folk, visual arts and sculpture,” Mr. Rubin said.
“Plus an appreciation of nature––that’s why we’re here.”
Those visions are in the future. In the here and now, the Arboretum is pinched for money, like most non-profits. Ms. Donnelly sees Mr. Rubin’s experience in financing as a huge plus.
“He’s not a stranger to fiscal crisis, and the Arboretum is in great shape compared to the scope and complexity of the fiscal situations Bob has helped resolve,” Ms. Donnelly said.
“He’s into consolidation building with diverse groups and making partnerships. That’s the way all non-profits must go.”
Mr. Rubin has already built partnerships locally, notably with the new Hannaford in nearby Duanesburg.
Hannaford’s lights at first threatened to brighten the sky and infringe on astronomers’ programs at the Arboretum. Directors called Hannaford officials, and they altered the lights to not interfere.
“That’s a good neighbor,” Mr. Rubin said, “and smart business sense to work with the community.”
He’s also made ties with the Route 20 Association, Schoharie Valley Association, the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair and put in an appearance at Cobleskill Day two weeks ago.
Those ties will do nothing but help the Arboretum, Mr. Rubin said.
“If we invest in art and nature and work together, the community will come,” he said.
Mr. Rubin has four children and lives in East Greenbush. He is planning to move to Schoharie County.