Meet Our Team

Mike McConnell – President

My road to native plants started 2 hours away from our present day Maryland nursery, in the pines of southern New Jersey “just” 50+ years ago. We (my Mom, sister and I) lived in an 1890’s shingle-sided house in a nearly deserted hamlet called White’s Bog. All around us were cranberry bogs, woods and fields. The woods croaked with a million amphibious voices, migrating birds flocked in blue fall skies and panzer-shelled snappers glared at us from the sandy roadsides. Squirrels and raccoons nested in mysterious, beckoning, ramshackle buildings. It was a paradise for kids to explore, even if my Mom, who had almost no chance for adult conversations, remembers the place less fondly.

It only lasted a year or so before my Dad came back from his military assignment and we moved to more urban settings. The connection to nature has endured for me and looking back explains many subsequent events and choices.

As for White’s Bog? It is a state park now. It is dedicated to a largely forgotten 19th century horticulturist, Elizabeth White, who cultivated the native blueberry, behind the house next door to our old place.

Stefan German – Head Grower & Operations Manager

I oversee nursery production operations, working closely with our herbaceous and woody plant growers to ensure the quality and consistency of the native plants we produce. My background in native plant propagation and ecological restoration has given me the opportunity to collaborate with universities, conservation organizations, and restoration practitioners throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. I am passionate about developing innovative solutions that support successful habitat restoration and healthy ecosystems. Every season brings new opportunities to learn, improve, and contribute to the growing field of native plant conservation. With every seed sown, my knowledge grows.

Natalie Forte – Fulfillment Manager

I manage American Native Plants’ retail and fulfillment operations, supporting both our direct-to-consumer e-commerce business and a growing network of fulfillment partnerships. I work closely with teams across the company to ensure efficient order processing, accurate inventory coordination, and reliable delivery performance. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, organization, and continuous improvement, I strive to create a seamless experience for both our fulfillment partners and customers from order placement through final delivery.

Melissa “Rusty” Rust – General Manager

Hi, I’m Rusty, General Manager of American Native Plants. I oversee our day-to-day operations and work closely with department leaders to align strategy, improve efficiency, and support the continued growth of our organization. My passion lies in building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and creating systems that help both our employees and customers succeed. As ANP continues to expand, I remain committed to our mission of promoting native plants and delivering exceptional service while supporting healthier landscapes and ecosystems throughout the regions we serve. In my free time, I enjoy discovering new music on WFMU and spending time with my cat, Mr. Tuvok, who always keeps life interesting.

Maddi Trabal – Sales and Purchasing

Hi, I’m Maddi, Sales & Purchasing Coordinator at American Native Plants. I work closely with customers, vendors, and our internal teams to manage quotes, coordinate orders, support purchasing, and help keep projects moving forward. I enjoy building relationships, solving problems, and creating a smooth experience from inquiry to delivery.

What I love most about ANP is working with a team that is passionate about native plants and the positive impact they have on our landscapes and ecosystems.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, watching movies, and spending time with my dog, Milla.

Jenny Wienckowski – Inventory Manager

As Inventory Manager, I oversee the tracking and coordination of plant inventory throughout the nursery. I work closely with growers, sales staff, and fulfillment teams to ensure accurate availability information and efficient inventory management. I enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and helping connect customers with the native plants they need for successful projects.

Join Our Team

American Native Plants is always seeking qualified and skilled people to help out seasonally. If you are interested in joining our team, you can review and apply to our open positions on our Careers page. We look forward to helping you grow with us!

Get in Touch

American Native Plants has been dedicated to preserving, growing, and distributing native plant varieties for almost two decades. We are a one-stop shop for your nursery needs and serve states throughout the Eastern United States. We offer hundreds of varieties of native trees, native shrubs, and herbaceous native plants in addition to hardgoods. For more information on our offerings, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, contact us, or give us a call at 410-529-0552. To place an order and receive a quote, visit our Request a Quote page or fax us 410-529-3883.