Leadership

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Andrea K. McCray serves as President of Friends of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery, leading the organization’s strategic vision, preservation initiatives, and community engagement efforts.

With a background in statistics from the University of Florida and professional experience in corporate compliance and systems implementation, she brings a structured, results-driven approach to large-scale preservation work.

Andrea is responsible for:

• Project leadership and execution strategy 
• State grant coordination and compliance 
• Community partnerships and stakeholder engagement 
• Fundraising and organizational development 

Her leadership reflects a commitment to restoring dignity, honoring legacy, and ensuring long-term preservation of this historic site.

Gary Ellis provides archaeological oversight and guidance for preservation efforts at the cemetery, ensuring all work aligns with professional standards and historical integrity.

His role includes:

• Provides archaeological oversight for all preservation and ground-disturbing activities 
• Leads and coordinates Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey to identify unmarked graves 
• Conducts site assessments and historical analysis to guide preservation strategy 
• Ensures protection of human remains and burial sites in accordance with state and federal standards 
• Develops archaeological reports and documentation for compliance and grant requirements 
• Advises on appropriate treatment of discovered remains, including recovery and reinterment protocols 
• Collaborates with engineering and project teams to balance preservation with infrastructure needs 
• Provides guidance on culturally sensitive and historically accurate practices 
• Supports engagement with agencies such as the Florida Public Archaeology Network when needed 
• Assists in establishing long-term preservation and documentation strategies for the cemetery 

His expertise ensures that all preservation efforts respect both the cultural and historical significance of the site.

Kenneth Ward, P.E., serves as Civil Engineer for the Friends of Crystal Memorial Gardens Cemetery, providing technical leadership for the planning and development of the site’s flood mitigation strategy and long-term stabilization efforts. 

His role includes:

• Leads development of the Flood Mitigation Plan for the historic cemetery 
• Conducts site evaluations to assess drainage patterns and flooding impact 
• Designs stormwater and drainage solutions to protect burial grounds 
• Provides engineering strategies for long-term site stabilization 
• Ensures all plans align with local, state, and environmental regulations 
• Collaborates with archaeologists and project partners to protect sensitive burial areas 
• Supports grant compliance and technical documentation for state funding 

His expertise plays a critical role in advancing the cemetery’s preservation goals, helping to safeguard this historic site for future generations while maintaining the highest standards of engineering practice.

 Bunch Lawn Care and Tree Service supports ongoing maintenance and environmental preservation of the cemetery grounds.

Services include:

• Performs routine grounds maintenance to ensure a clean, safe, and respectful environment 
• Provides tree trimming and canopy management to protect headstones and burial areas 
• Conducts hazardous tree removal to prevent damage to graves and visitors 
• Assists with vegetation control and overgrowth management in sensitive burial areas 
• Utilizes specialized equipment, including crane-assisted tree work, when required 
• Works in coordination with archaeologists to avoid disturbance of unmarked graves 
• Helps maintain clear access pathways for visitors, volunteers, and project teams 
• Contributes to long-term preservation efforts by protecting the integrity of the landscape

All work is performed with sensitivity to burial locations and in coordination with archaeological guidance when required.