6/1/2026
AmericanHort Announces 2026-2027 New Leadership
Jennifer Zurko
AmericanHort announced the newly elected 2026-2027 board officers and new board directors, selected by association members for their leadership, expertise and commitment to excellence.
“This board brings together leaders who understand where the industry is headed and what it will take to succeed—strong businesses, a skilled workforce and a culture of innovation,” said Ken Fisher, CEO for AmericanHort. “We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited for the impact they will make in the years ahead.”
Kent Fullmer of Fullmer’s Landscaping, Inc. will become the immediate past chair and J. Harvey Cotton will continue to serve as board treasurer. The new slate of officers for 2026-2027 includes:
- Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses will become Chair of the Board. Derek is Director of Sales for Metrolina Greenhouses, a business founded in North Carolina in 1972, and is now one of the largest greenhouse operations in the world.
- Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries, Inc. will become Vice Chair of the Board. Emily is the Chief of Human Resources at Willoway Nurseries, Inc. in Avon, Ohio, a third-generation family-owned business and one of the largest wholesale growers of quality nursery stock in the Midwest.
The AmericanHort membership has also elected the following new board directors:
- Genevieve Reiner Mills is Chief Operating Officer and In-house Counsel for Oakland Nursery, Inc. and Director of Oakland Green Interiors.
- Robert Saunders is the CEO of Saunders Brothers, a fourth-generation family business based in Piney River, Virginia.
These new directors will join current board directors Joe Allio, Petitti Family Farms; Ken Altman, Altman Specialty Plants; Patricia Dean, Wadsworth Control Systems; Tom Fessler, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas, Inc; Christine Fortman, Berridge Nursery; Scott Valentine, Express Seed Company; and Bradd Yoder, Star Roses & Plants.
AmericanHort and its members express appreciation to outgoing board members Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries LP for his strong leadership as board chair and contributions while serving on the board. They also thank Brian Lloyd of Olson’s Greenhouse for his service and contributions as board director during his three-year term.
The new board will be installed during the annual AmericanHort business meeting held at Cultivate’26 on Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 a.m. in the Battelle Grand Ballroom of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
GT