HRI Leadership Class Named

Chris Beytes

If the inaugural class of the HRI (Horticultural Research Institute) Leadership Academy is any indication, the future of our industry is in good hands. The 11-month-long program, which convened September 20, is designed to develop leaders on all levels of the green industry. Participants will grow personally and professionally, through leadership and business skills training, engagement with a green industry network, and completion of a real-world leadership project. This program is presented through a partnership with AmericanHort.

Inaugural class members are:

• Susannah Ball, Ball Horticultural Company, Illinois

• Melanie Bedner, Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse, Pennsylvania

• Sander Brooks, Everde Growers, Florida

• Hamza Daour, De Jong Greenhouse, Iowa

• Kyle Fessler, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas, Oregon

• Matthew Foertmeyer, Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Co., Ohio

• Christine Fortman, Berridge Nurseries Inc., Arizona

• Jonathan Jasinski, Microplant Nurseries, Oregon

• Andy Klittich, Otto & Sons Nursery, California

• Adam Kobes, Kobes Nurseries Inc, Ontario, Canada

• Denise Mullins, Smith Gardens, Washington

• Tyler Richardson, DeGroot Inc., Michigan

• Jacob Stidham, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Kentucky

• Ryan Watkins, Brownswood Nursery Inc., South Carolina

The curriculum is designed specifically to meet industry needs and is organized to include Strategy, Leadership and People Management, Numbers and Advocacy, and the Value Chain. The principles they learn will be put to practical application through a course-long leadership project that will be presented at Cultivate’23 July 16-18, 2023.

Applications for the 2023-24 class will open early next year. For more information and to download an informational brochure on the HRI Leadership Academy, go to HRILeadershipAcademy.org or contact Jennifer Gray at JenniferG@AmericanHort.org. GT