Lockerly Staff

Gloria Prance
Office Manager & Events Coordinator
Upon moving to Milledgeville in 1994, she worked for Central & Southern Bank as executive assistant to the president and later was appointed a bank officer in charge of the human resources department. In 2000 Gloria joined the University Advancement staff at Georgia College and State University as coordinator of office services until she joined Lockerly in October of 2005. Gloria’s work experience also includes a 13-year career with Eastern Airline in their Atlanta regional president’s office, two years in Coca-Cola's Atlanta Fountain Human Resources and three years in Coke's corporate executive offices.

Gloria is married to Jim Prance. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Linda Layne
Director of Development
A middle Tennessee native, Linda Layne has been the Director of Development since June 2007. She received her Bachelors Degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1981. After moving to Milledgeville in 2002, she spent 5 years working as the annual fund coordinator for Georgia College & State University and has more than 20 years collective volunteer experience fundraising for community service organizations such as the Rotary Club, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, United Givers Fund, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Linda is married to Randy Layne, Rheem Manufacturing Milledgeville plant manager. Their son, Josh and his wife, Leiah, also live in Milledgeville.

Greg Eilers
Director of Education
Greg joined Lockerly in March, 2005 and provides enriching horticultural, botanical and environmental science education for our area school children, visitors, and the community through the use of programs, horticultural collection, the use of Lockerly Hall and the Oliver N. Worley Environmental Education Center. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education with a Focus in Environmental Education from Georgia College & State University.
Greg is married to Ruth Eilers.

Chris Collins
Grounds Superintendent
Chris, a native of Cochran, Georgia, joined Lockerly in August of 2007. In addition to his knowledge of dendrology, he brings 20 years of irrigation, landscape design, and supervisory skills
Chris and his wife Tammy have a daughter Tarah and son Beau.

Katherine Schmitt
Seasonal Intern
Katie is a recent graduate of Georgia College & State University where she earned a Bachelor degree in Outdoor Education. She assists the Director of Education with our environmental education programs.

Vicki Folendore
Part-time Office Assistant
Vicki joined Lockerly in January 2008 shortly after she retired from a 30-year career with College & State University. She held several positions over the years at the college, the last 19 of which she worked in the Foundation Advancement Services Department where she was in charge of all accounting functions.
Vicki and her husband have a son Wes and a daughter Amy.

Lynn Graham
Part-time Grounds Keeper
Lynn joined the Lockerly grounds staff in 2005. She is a knowledgeable Master Gardener who works passionately three days a week to assist in the beautification of the Arboretum grounds.

Scott Sharp
Grounds Keeper
Scott’s work ethic and knowledge of grounds maintenance is evident in the well-kept appearance of the grounds. His strong mechanical background serves the Arboretum well when a piece of equipment is in need of repair.
Scott is married to Bridgett. He has one son, Scott, Jr.

Willie Simmons
Grounds Keeper
Willie, a native of Milledgeville, has been part of the Arboretum since 1983. He is a self-taught arborist and groundsman.

Quentin Johnson
Grounds Keeper
Quentin joined the grounds staff in February 2008. A native of Cochran, Georgia, his experience includes irrigation, heavy equipment operation, and landscaping. He says that he enjoys this work and wants Lockerly to continue to “be something for the community to enjoy and admire and that makes everyone that works here proud.” Quentin has one daughter, Selena. He enjoys gardening, hunting and fishing.