TUCSON BONSAI SOCIETY
Established 1972

2024 Tucson Bonsai Society Board Bios

​

Stephen Ross, President

Stephen is from El Paso, Texas, and before landing in Oro Valley, he also lived in northern California and Flagstaff, Arizona. Stephen handles much of the social fun of the organization – both digitally on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) as well as in-person gatherings (monthly happy hours, bonsai in the park events, and garden visits). Stephen enjoys that bonsai combines his love of art and gardening. He’s a lot of fun and wants you to know that he is always willing to help!

​

Dominick San Angelo, Vice President

Dominick is a true Tucsonan, born and raised. He loves bonsai because it's an art form that is constantly changing, and he’s only partially in control of the artistic results. It reminds him that he is merely a passenger in the process of life. Plus, it is where the uncool kids hang out, the most fascinating people.  Dominck is a Stay-at-Home parent with an eclectic variety of hobbies and an interest in learning new things from different people.

​

Taylor Hanson, Treasurer

Taylor lives in Sierra Vista, where she was born, but has lived in many places over the years as she grew up in a military family. She loves bonsai because it's beautiful and can be for anyone in any space. Her background is in conservation and wildlife research work, and she does loads of gardening when she's not busy with her young kiddo.​

 

Carianne Funicelli, Secretary

Carianne grew up in Maryland but has felt at home in Tucson ever since landing here in 1997. She has a great deal of non-profit board experience and is a well-known advocate for native plants and restoration for pollinators and other wildlife throughout the southwest. She organizes the newsletter and email communications, builds board meeting agendas, and is excited to contribute to help things run smoothly and professionally.  Ask her about native plants and she might talk your ear off!

​

Tracy Fronimakis, General Board Member

Tracy is from Salt Lake City, Utah and keeps our website beautiful and up to date. She loves the feeling she gets when looking at bonsai trees and loves the challenge of creating a beautiful tree from scratch. Sometimes this hobby was the only thing that kept her sane while operating a restaurant for 25 years!

​

Dan Branscum, General Board Member

Dan claims to be from Planet Earth, but we’re not quite sure about that (think MIB) – he’s a bit of a joker. He loves bonsai for its “awesome power, in an itty bitty living space.” His favorite activities are bonsai, hiking/orienteering, playing/teaching bridge and writing. Dan is retired from the US Navy and as a ballroom instructor. He wants you to know that his favorite beer is Negra Modelo, in case you’d like to buy him one at the next monthly happy hour! 

​

Barbara Waughtel, General Board Member

Barbara is from southern California and works hard to keep TBS organized and financially responsible. Barbara loves plants and is passionate about bonsai, which helps to keep her sane. She spent many years working in construction as a military contractor and although she can handle all kinds of difficult situations, she wants you to know that she is not as hard-nosed as she may seem!​

​

Mike Pontifex, General Board Member

Mike is from Champaign, Illinois. He loves bonsai because it is an art form in which the artist must collaborate with their medium because it is another living thing and this makes us more connected to our shared environment. Mike is a dog dad, professional chef and culinary instructor, but mostly he likes just digging in the dirt.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​