Gene Skutack

Gene Skutack is an unexpected and atypical member of Sonoran Circle. Originally from Peakville, Pennsylvania, he is passionate about cacti. Since the early 2000s, he's been vacationing in Arizona, each visit collecting and transporting new plants back to the greenhouse he built to protect the cacti from snowy winters. He's also collected specimens in New Mexico, South America, Bermuda, Florida and Texas. Now that collection numbers over 375 plants!

Gene works with Wells Fargo Bank which might eventually lead to a move to Arizona. In the meantime, he's purchased a vacation home in the Valley that he visits annually. Each time he comes, he returns a few plants to Arizona. "Funny how now I am shipping them back month after month and planting them in my yard," says Gene. If all goes according to plan he will eventually transplant himself too, then utilize his gardening talents as a Desert Botanical Garden volunteer.

This passionate gardener has made plans to share his love for desert plants with future generations by including the Garden in his charitable estate plan.