Leadership

Welcome From AFE

A dedicated Board of Trustees representing all industry segments serves the Endowment. All Trustees serve without monetary compensation of any kind and take part in all AFE activities, meetings and travel at their own expense.

AFE’s Trustees play a crucial role in setting the long-term strategic direction of the organization. They help define the organization’s mission and vision and develop strategic goals and plans to achieve them. They are responsible for the wise and prudent use of money contributed to the Endowment, establishing and upholding the organization’s governance policies and practices, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, maintaining ethical standards, and oversight and funding for organizational and industry growth.

Board of Trustee members are elected by the Board and serve a three-year term.  Trustees can be appointed to one additional three-year term. View Past Trustees and Chairmen here.

Board of Trustees

David Garcia

Chairman

Pete Garcia Company/Garcia Group

Peachtree Corners, Georgia

Ken Young

Past Chairman

Phoenix Flower Shops

Scottsdale, Arizona

Laura Shinall

Past Chairman

FreshPath Marketing

Charleston, South Carolina

Bill Foster

Treasurer/Secretary

BioWorks

Victor, New York

Art Van Wingerden

Executive Committee

Metrolina Greenhouses

Huntersville, North Carolina

Dr. Alicain Carlson

Syngenta Flowers

Washington, D.C.

Kelvin Frye

Syndicate Sales

Kokomo, Indiana

Gustavo Gilchrist

Kennicott Brothers Company

Chicago, Illinois

Kristin Gilliland

Gardens America Inc.

Miami, Florida

Martin Hackney

Hackney Nursery

Quincy, Florida

Mike Haley

Pikes Peak

Austin, Texas

Jeronimo Herrera

Jardines de los Andes

Bogota, Colombia

Kevin McCarthy

Family Flowers

Alpharetta, Georgia

Kevin Prill

The GIANT Company

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dr. Vijay Rapaka

Smithers-Oasis Company/Oasis Grower Solutions

Kent, Ohio

Adam Van Winkle

Stadium Flowers

Everett, Washington

YPC Advisor to the Board

Dr. Joshua Craver

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado

Staff

Debi Chedester, CAE, IOM, AAF

Executive Director

Laura Barth

Research Coordinator

Karin Krause

Manager of Communications & Outreach

Candice Musgrove

Program Manager

Dr. Amanda Solliday

Senior Manager, Sustainabloom

Looking For Funding?

Research Scholarships Grants

AFE is committed to supporting research that advances the industry and combats current challenges. This research benefits every segment of the industry. We welcome new research proposal applications by August 1st of each year.

Apply for Funding