Changes at FNGLA

Jennifer Zurko

After 40 years at the Florida Nursery, Grower & Landscape Association (FNGLA) and countless contributions to the success of the association, Linda Adams, FNGLA’s Chief Operations Officer, is transitioning into retirement. This transition will become fully effective June 30, 2025.

Over the remainder of 2024 and into mid-2025, Linda will continue to work at FNGLA with a focus on guiding FNGLA’s incoming Chief Operations Officer (COO) and other FNGLA staff members as they take over key functions of the current COO role. In addition, groundwork will be laid for the COO duties to have a more internal-management focus.

During her many years as part of the FNGLA leadership team, Linda has had an important hand in building a well-endowed and sound financial foundation at FNGLA. She’s been integral in building FNGLA’s two trade shows, The Landscape Show and the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE), evolving them from regional trade shows to world-class events. The growth of both events has added to FNGLA’s financial wherewithal and brand recognition, and has offered key venues for industry education, marketing and business connections.

This announcement also includes the hiring of Shawn Pattison as FNGLA’s incoming COO. For more than a decade, Shawn has helped national organizations in transition or growth in his capacity as a Chief of Staff, Vice President of Operations and Executive Vice President. These organizations include Concerned Veterans for America, StandTogether and supporting engagements for a variety of groups, including AmericanHort.

Shawn’s early career experience includes working on two tree farms, running his own small landscaping business and planting an estate vineyard. More recently, Shawn has helped leaders with strategic organizational planning and implementation, and implementing change management initiatives.

Shawn began his employment with FNGLA on August 5, 2024, and will work from the FNGLA headquarters in Orlando. He’ll be fully engaged as COO no later than January 1, 2025. GT