Our Board of Directors
SDCOS is led by a 9-person Board of Directors that governs the society’s affairs. The Board meets every first Thursday of the month virtually via Zoom. The meetings are open to members. If you wish to attend, please email the President to obtain an invitation.
Barbara McCubbin
President
Coming Soon
Email: president@sdorchids.com
Peter Tobias
1st Vice President
Coming Soon
John Snyder
2nd Vice President
Coming Soon
Nate La Breche
Secretary
I joined the SDCOS in February 2023. I moved to San Diego in 2018 but did not get into orchids for some years. I started with a few unlabeled Phalaenopsis hybrids from Home Depot and quickly became obsessed due to the life and color they brought to my apartment. I now grow a variety of orchid species and hybrids inside because my small patio receives little sunlight. I enjoy orchids for the diverse array of foliage and flowers they offer. There is something to suit virtually everyone’s tastes.
Myra DeTate
Treasurer
I bought my first Orchid in 1972, a paphiopedilum, from Clark Day Orchids in Cypress, CA. I joined SDCOS in 2013 for the education & conservation missions I found on the website. The society has provided much more. I thank all of the members who have helped me with their knowledge & friendship.
Email: treasurer@sdorchids.com
Paolo Garcia
Director at Large, to 2027
Growing orchids has been my constant hobby since I was 12 years old and growing them in my dad’s garden. Today I live in Bankers Hill and grow miniature, fragrant, and Paphiopedilum species in my apartment and outdoor patio. I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity of orchid species and the different habitats they thrive in around the world. I joined the SDCOS in 2023 to meet other local growers and to learn how they grow orchids in our climate, and I am happy to join the board as a Director-at-Large in 2025.
Email: DAL1@sdorchids.com.
Tracey Olson
Director-at-Large, to 2028
Coming Soon
Sima Perkins
Director at Large, to 2029
I have been a passionate orchid grower for more than 20 years. I specialize in Cattleyas and Cymbidiums. I feel very privileged to serve on the SDCOS board since 2020.
Email: DAL2@sdorchids.com.
David Vandenbroek
Past President
I live in east of Mission Valley and grow orchids anywhere I can fit them – windowsills, my patio, and in a small ~60 sqft unheated greenhouse under grow lights. Limited growing space has pushed me toward smaller plants, which, happily, I love. I primarily grow species orchids, and am absolutely amazed by the diversity in our world. I have a particular attachment to the Japanese Wind Orchids, Vanda falcata (aka Neofinetia falcata, Neos, fūran, Fūkiran) – my collection has somehow ballooned to around 80 Neos, despite a pressing lack of space.
I’ve been a member of the SDCOS Board of Directors since 2019, previously serving as Secretary and 1st Vice President before completing three years as President in July 2026. I also served as editor of the SDCOS newsletter from 2018 through July 2026. As Past President, I’m looking forward to continuing to support the Society – at a somewhat more relaxing pace – as moderator of the Species Group, a member of the Conservation Committee, and by helping out at our Shows.
I’m so grateful to the members of the Society who supported during my presidency. This really is a special place with special people.
Email: pastpresident@sdorchids.com
Barbara McCubbin
President
Coming Soon
Email: president@sdorchids.com
Peter Tobias
1st Vice President
Coming Soon
John Snyder
2nd Vice President
Coming Soon
Nate La Breche
Secretary
I joined the SDCOS in February 2023. I moved to San Diego in 2018 but did not get into orchids for some years. I started with a few unlabeled Phalaenopsis hybrids from Home Depot and quickly became obsessed due to the life and color they brought to my apartment. I now grow a variety of orchid species and hybrids inside because my small patio receives little sunlight. I enjoy orchids for the diverse array of foliage and flowers they offer. There is something to suit virtually everyone’s tastes.
Myra DeTate
Treasurer
I bought my first Orchid in 1972, a paphiopedilum, from Clark Day Orchids in Cypress, CA. I joined SDCOS in 2013 for the education & conservation missions I found on the website. The society has provided much more. I thank all of the members who have helped me with their knowledge & friendship.
Email: treasurer@sdorchids.com
Paolo Garcia
Director at Large, to 2027
Growing orchids has been my constant hobby since I was 12 years old and growing them in my dad’s garden. Today I live in Bankers Hill and grow miniature, fragrant, and Paphiopedilum species in my apartment and outdoor patio. I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity of orchid species and the different habitats they thrive in around the world. I joined the SDCOS in 2023 to meet other local growers and to learn how they grow orchids in our climate, and I am happy to join the board as a Director-at-Large in 2025.
Email: DAL1@sdorchids.com.
Tracey Olson
Director-at-Large, to 2028
Coming Soon
Sima Perkins
Director at Large, to 2029
I have been a passionate orchid grower for more than 20 years. I specialize in Cattleyas and Cymbidiums. I feel very privileged to serve on the SDCOS board since 2020.
Email: DAL2@sdorchids.com.
David Vandenbroek
Past President
I live in east of Mission Valley and grow orchids anywhere I can fit them – windowsills, my patio, and in a small ~60 sqft unheated greenhouse under grow lights. Limited growing space has pushed me toward smaller plants, which, happily, I love. I primarily grow species orchids, and am absolutely amazed by the diversity in our world. I have a particular attachment to the Japanese Wind Orchids, Vanda falcata (aka Neofinetia falcata, Neos, fūran, Fūkiran) – my collection has somehow ballooned to around 80 Neos, despite a pressing lack of space.
I’ve been a member of the SDCOS Board of Directors since 2019, previously serving as Secretary and 1st Vice President before completing three years as President in July 2026. I also served as editor of the SDCOS newsletter from 2018 through July 2026. As Past President, I’m looking forward to continuing to support the Society – at a somewhat more relaxing pace – as moderator of the Species Group, a member of the Conservation Committee, and by helping out at our Shows.
I’m so grateful to the members of the Society who supported me during my presidency. This really is a special place with special people.
Email: pastpresident@sdorchids.com