2025-2027 BCI Director Candidates
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Each year, the terms of half of the BCI board of directors expire and many of those directors seek re-election to the board. Also, we typically have new people who are nominated for service on the board. This year, we have 10 individuals being recommended to serve on the board from 2025 to 2027.
Voting:
According to the BCI Bylaws, member clubs vote on the slate of candidates for directors. Each club has one (1) ballot, and can vote Yes or No for each of the candidates proposed. Clubs do have the options of voting in favor of the entire slate. We have sufficient vacancies on the board to allow for this.
Please exercise your club’s right to vote by completing the ballot form no later than 24:00 (midnight) UTC+0 on October 17, 2024.
Dr. Sujata Bhat:
Pioneering Bonsai Artist, Educator, and Multidisciplinary Cultural Contributor
Dr. Sujata Bhat is a renowned Bonsai artist and teacher with 38 years of experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from Bangalore University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from IIT Mumbai, where she also worked as a researcher until 1995 before focusing entirely on Bonsai.
In the Bonsai field, Dr. Bhat has undergone extensive training and held key positions, including Director at Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) and President of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association. She has authored articles and booklets on Bonsai, won multiple prestigious awards, and actively promotes Bonsai through workshops, demonstrations, and social media.
Beyond Bonsai, Dr. Bhat is also an accomplished Ikebana artist and teacher, and a skilled sitar player with public performances to her credit.
Min Hsuan Lo:
A Global Bonsai Master
Born in 1956 in Tien Wei, Taiwan, with a family bonsai nursery dating back to 1947, this Bonsai master graduated in Chinese literature from Tam Kang University in 1978. He began winning numerous awards for his bonsai work from 1980-1998, including Taiwan Bonsai Creator Association Grand Prizes.
Starting in 1986, he became a respected bonsai judge and educator, teaching at various institutions in Taiwan and lecturing worldwide, including in the U.S., China, South Africa, and more. Notable awards include the JAL World Bonsai Contest Grand Prize (1999) and multiple BCI Artist, Writer & Photographer Awards. His global influence extends to hundreds of students taught at his bonsai school since 2008.
He continues to lead in the Bonsai community, recently conducting demonstrations in Indonesia, Thailand, and the USA in 2023-2024.
Les Dowdell:
A Lifelong Bonsai Enthusiast
Les began his bonsai journey in 1974 and co-founded the Bonsai Society of Edmonton in 1981, where he has served as the main instructor and president since its inception. Specializing in local and native species, he currently trains over 150 bonsai in his backyard. Since 1986, he has also taught bonsai to the public at the regional botanic garden.
Les has been a Director of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) from 2000-2014 and resumed the role in 2016. He has attended numerous BCI conventions globally and contributed to the organization through committee work. He is currently serving as Secretary of BCI and remains committed to advancing the art of bonsai.
Roger Snipes:
A Pillar of Bonsai Leadership
Roger has been immersed in bonsai for over 30 years, serving as a founding member, past President, and current Treasurer of the Inland Empire Bonsai Society in Spokane, Washington. He is also the current Treasurer of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) and the Pacific Northwest Bonsai Clubs Association (PNBCA), where he has also served as a Regional Director. Roger has successfully organized two regional PNBCA Bonsai Conventions as Chairman.
Roger maintains a large bonsai collection and has exhibited his trees at various regional conventions, the National Bonsai Exhibition in New York, and the Artisan’s Cup in Portland, Oregon. Now retired, Roger spent over 35 years as an accountant in the construction industry.
Massimo Bandera:
A Global Bonsai Innovator
Massimo Bandera, born in 1967, has been dedicated to bonsai since 1978, creating a unique blend of contemporary and avant-garde techniques. He studied under the renowned Masahiko Kimura in Japan and is a member of various prestigious bonsai and botanical societies worldwide.
In 2000, he founded the Fuji Kyookai Bonsai Avant-Garde School in Italy, later expanding to Spain. Massimo has won numerous awards across Italy, Spain, Japan, and the U.S., and his works have been exhibited internationally. He is a life member, instructor, and Director of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) and other bonsai organizations.
Massimo is also an accomplished author, with publications including the Bonsai Encyclopedia and Bonsai Avant-Garde. His articles have been featured in major bonsai magazines worldwide. In 2010, he was the first Italian to receive a national prize for bonsai from the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. In 2015, he was honored with the title of Knight of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
Budi Sulistyo:
A Pioneer in Indonesian Bonsai
Budi Sulistyo, born in 1952 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, began his bonsai journey in 1976 and is regarded as one of the pioneers of bonsai in Indonesia. His international debut came in 1991 as the headliner and workshops coordinator at ASPAC 1 in Bali. Budi became the first Indonesian invited abroad to teach bonsai, leading to a global career in demonstrations, workshops, critiques, and judging.
He is the author of three bonsai books in Indonesian and one in English, titled “Tropical Bonsai Gallery.” In addition to bonsai, Budi ventured into Suiseki in 1992, contributing through seminars, judging, and exhibitions both in Indonesia and internationally.
Enrique Castano:
Bridging Science and Art
Enrique Castaño, a second-generation bonsai artist, holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Rochester and has completed postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University and the Marie Curie Research Institute in England. Currently a professor at a plant research center in Merida, he integrates his scientific expertise with his passion for bonsai, contributing to the art’s aesthetics, philosophy, and science.
Enrique has taught and given demonstrations worldwide, including in China, Taiwan, the UK, the USA, Germany, and Mexico. His trees have been recognized by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and Bonsai Clubs International (BCI), earning numerous awards, including the John Naka Award and Gold Medals in bonsai competitions. He has authored several articles and the book "Botany for Bonsai: The Science Behind the Art." Enrique currently serves as a regional director for BCI, WBFF, and President of the Latin American Federation of Bonsai.
Mike Siow:
A Pillar of Malaysian Bonsai
Mike Siow is a distinguished bonsai leader and artist with a rich history of contributing to the bonsai community in Malaysia and around the world. He currently serves as an Advisor to both the Malaysia Bonsai Judge Organization (since 2022) and the Malaysia Penjing Art Creation Society (since 2019). His past leadership roles include Chairman of the Malaysia Bonsai Judge Organization (2018-2022) and President of the Malaysia Penjing Art Creation Society (2015-2019), which he founded in 1996.
Mike has demonstrated his expertise at numerous international bonsai events, including the President Cup Bonsai Show in Indonesia (2024) and various conventions in the Philippines, China, Vietnam, India, and Japan. His judging credentials are equally impressive, with appearances at prestigious shows such as the Tien Wei Bonsai Show in Taiwan (2019) and the Changzhou Bonsai Show in China (2018).
In 2022, Mike was honored with the Hwa Fung Award for Best in Show at the Hwa Fung Bonsai Exhibition & Competition in Taiwan, adding to his extensive list of accolades, including numerous awards at Malaysia’s National Bonsai Show. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from National Taiwan University.
Peter Macasieb:
A Shohin Bonsai Enthusiast's Global Journey
Peter Macasieb, originally from Malasiqui Pangasinan, Philippines, migrated to the USA in 1983 and joined the United States Air Force. His interest in bonsai was sparked during a deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where he was captivated by a local bonsai nursery. Peter began his bonsai journey by studying John Naka’s book and furthered his knowledge under the mentorship of Harry Hirao, Tak Shimazu, and Boon Manakitivipart.
Peter has excelled in shohin bonsai, earning accolades such as Best of Show at the Santa Anita Bonsai Society and the John Naka Award at Descanso Bonsai Society. He has served as President of Koyu Kai Shohin Bonsai and is an active member of California Bonsai Society, Nampu Kai Bonsai, and Santa Anita Bonsai Society. Peter has also judged at Bonsai Liga 2022 in the Philippines and attended the BCI Convention in Vigan City, Philippines, in 2023.
As a candidate for BCI Board Director, Peter aims to promote membership, foster international friendships, conduct free workshops to inspire new enthusiasts, and share his expertise in shohin bonsai globally.
Pisith Ariyaamornkul:
Leader, Instructor, and Master of the Art
Pisith Ariyaamornkul, born in 1960, is a highly esteemed bonsai instructor and leader in Thailand. With over 26 years of experience in bonsai, he became one of the first bonsai instructors recognized by the Thai Bonsai Association in 2023. Pisith has served as President of the Thai Bonsai Association since 2013, with continued leadership in this role. He also acts as Managing Director of Bangkok Bonsai, where he conducts regular bonsai demonstrations for members via Facebook Live.
Pisith operates two bonsai gardens, one in Bangkok and another in Kanchanaburi province, housing over 3,000 bonsai trees. In addition to his bonsai activities, he owns Outdoor Production Company Limited, specializing in production services and installation of billboards and signage.
Pisith's dedication to bonsai is evident through his extensive teaching, leadership roles, and the substantial bonsai collection he maintains.