Gordon Deeg, Director, 2007 - 2011, and 2018 – present.
Gordon Deeg’s interest in bonsai began in the mid 1960’s, while viewing a bonsai show at the California State Fair in Sacramento. He then joined the American Bonsai Club of Sacramento. In 2002, Gordon went to Japan to study with Yasuo Mitsuya, one of the world’s renowned bonsai experts in contemporary bonsai. Gordon is active in Sei Boku Bonsai Kai, Kusamura Bonsai Club, Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai, Bay Area Bonsai Associates, Bay Area Shohin, and a bonsai club called the Electric Termites. He has also been a major orchestrator of the California Shohin Society, which hosts the biannual Shohin Seminar in Santa Nella, California.
As Director, his goals are to improve the garden landscape, acquire museum quality trees and ensure the health and artistic vision of the collection. Gordon understands the importance of the BGLM volunteers. He said “The real folks that run the garden are the volunteers. Without the volunteers this garden would not exist. The trees and the garden space and buildings are important, but the volunteers are the most important asset here.”
Suzanne Muller, Assistant Director, 2024-present
Suzanne Muller discovered the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) in 2013, while on a walk around Lake Merritt. Like many people, she had lived in Oakland for years and never knew it existed. She took the 4th Sunday Bonsai class for beginners and realized that a beautiful small tree in a pot that she started from a seed in 1992 was a bonsai! She soon learned how to care for the tree properly and it will always be an important tree in her now expanded 80+ bonsai tree collection. Suzanne joined the East Bay Bonsai Society in 2013. In 2014, she joined their Board of Directors and served through 2020. She has volunteered at the BGLM for 10 years and studied with Kathy Shaner, Gordon Deeg and others at the Bonsai School at Lake Merritt. In 2024, Suzanne joined the Steering Committee at the BGLM as Assistant Director. Suzanne is committed to the long-term excellence of the BGLM. She currently oversees all docent activities, community engagement, and security, among other duties.
She is also a beekeeper and bronze sculptor.
Gary Tom, Curator, 2023-present
After serving as Associate Curator of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) since it opening in 1999, Gary Tom was appointed Curator. Gary Tom oversees the health and artistic development of each tree. He has recruited a talented team of Associate Curators, who volunteer their time and skills every Tuesday and Thursday working on the bonsai garden’s collection of historic and legacy bonsai. Gary oversees and guides their care and maintenance efforts.
