Jim Velzy been the director of UCSC Greenhouses since 2005. He was hired in 1991 as the greenhouse manager for the research greenhouses which are a component of UCSC Greenhouses along with the Thimann greenhouses which is the instructional facility open to the public for use by the campus community. Velzy has been a greenhouse grower since 1983 when he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. He came to UCSC with seven years of commercial greenhouse management experience. Velzy has lived on the west side of Santa Cruz for 28 years. He enjoys his bike commute to work, the beach and family. He finds his job at the university very rewarding as UCSC Greenhouses continues to increase it's value to the UC and to the Santa Cruz community.