Team
Kevin Rose, Executive Director
Kevin Rose is a Ridgewood resident, and became the second Executive Director of the James Rose Center in July 2025, after volunteering with the organization for nearly a decade and leading programming and local outreach for the past two years.
Kevin's approach to cultural preservation and educational programming is deeply informed by his extensive background in luxury retail leadership, where customer experience and environmental design were paramount. His two-decade career leading luxury home divisions for global brands like Hermès and Giorgio Armani taught him that exceptional environments profoundly shape human experience.
Dean Cardasis, Director Emeritus
Dean founded the James Rose Center in 1991 and served as its Executive Director until July of 2025, and is the leading scholar of James Rose’ work. He is professor emeritus of landscape architecture at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; and at the University of Massachussets, Amherst. He is also the lead designer of Cave Hill Landscape Architects.
His landscape designs and modern preservation projects have won national awards, and his articles on modern and contemporary design have been widely published. His biography of James Rose, James Rose: A Voice Offstage, won the J.B. Jackson Prize from the Foundation for Landscape Studies. Dean continues to oversees all research and preservation efforts around Rose’s work.
Daniel Rasczyk, Assistant Director
Daniel is a graduate of NJIT with a degree in architecture. He currently practices in the area and resides on site at the Center, assisting with caretaking and all operations at the Center.
Board of Directors
Richard Bartolone, Treasurer
Dean Cardasis, Vice President
Kevin Rose, Member/Exectuive Director
Elizabeth Thompson, Secretary
Roger Washburn, President