FNGLA Welcomes New CEO

Chris Beytes

After 24 years of service, CEO Ben Bolusky is stepping down from the top spot at the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA), the country’s largest state nursery and landscape association. Replacing Ben will be Tal Coley, a Florida native who’s been serving as the Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs for AmericanHort. Tal also has been serving as executive director of the Nursery & Landscape Association Executives (NLAE) of North America.

Prior to his role at AmericanHort, Tal worked for Concerned Veterans for America. A veteran himself, Tal served four years in the United States Air Force as a Russian cryptologic linguist. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of North Florida and the University of Miami, respectively.

“I am humbled and honored to be the next Chief Executive Officer at FNGLA,” he said. “The opportunity to return home to Florida and advocate for an industry I feel so passionate about is truly a dream come true. Leading FNGLA into this next chapter and building off the incredible foundation Ben Bolusky has provided is a mission I am eager to take on.”

After an onboarding period, Tal will officially take the reins during FNGLA’s annual convention in June.

Interestingly, Tal will be only the fifth top executive in the association’s 70-year history, the other four being Jim Griffin, Jr., Charlie Dunn, Earl Wells and Ben.

Said long-time COO Linda Adams, who joined the organization in 1984 (the same year I was elected vice president of the Space Coast chapter!), and worked with Earl and Ben, “The association has been quite brilliant/lucky to have a CEO in place whose personality and expertise matched the key association and industry needs and opportunities of the time. I think that will be the case with Tal.” GT