AmericanHort elects new board leadership, members

AmericanHort has announced the newly elected 2025-2026 board of directors, selected by association members for their leadership, expertise, and commitment to excellence.

"We are honored to welcome our incoming board members, whose leadership will bring fresh energy and insight to our organization. As the horticulture industry continues to grow and evolve, their deep connections and commitment to innovation will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission," says Ken Fisher, President and CEO of AmericanHort. "Together, we look forward to growing new opportunities, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful progress across the industry."

The new slate of officers for 2025-2026 includes Kent Fullmer of Fullmer's Landscaping, Inc., as the incoming board chair and Derek Clark of South Central Growers as the board vice chair. Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries LP will become the immediate past chair, and J. Harvey Cotton will continue to serve as board treasurer in a non-voting position.

The 2024 AmericanHort Board of Directors are shown here with outgoing board members
and the AmericanHort staff at Cultivate'24.

Kent Fullmer is President at Fullmer's Landscaping, Inc. in Dayton, OH, a residential landscape design and build company. Kent assumed ownership of the company in 2005 and continues to lead the third-generation company with passion and integrity. He brings high energy to the art of landscaping, and his goal is to provide positive personal experiences to Fullmer's Landscaping's clients.

Derek Clark is the Director of Sales at South Central Growers, a family-owned greenhouse in Springfield, TN, supplying annuals and perennials to big-box retailers. He began his horticulture career in 2005, holding key account management roles before joining South Central Growers in 2013. He is passionate about strengthening the horticulture industry for future generations.

Scott Valentine is the CEO of Express Seed Company, a leading broker/distributor of horticultural genetic products in North America. He has over 25 years of experience in the agriculture space,15 in horticulture. For the past 4 years, Scott has served as a member of the AmericanHort Advocacy Committee.

Bradd Yoder has worked 31 years for Star Roses and Plants (The Conard Pyle company), including the last eight as its president. Star joined the Ball Horticultural Company in 2015, at which time Bradd also became a member of the company's Executive Committee and was recently added to the Board of Directors of Ball Tagawa Growers in California and the National Plant Network in Alabama.

Patricia Dean is CEO and a third-generation leader of Wadsworth Control Systems. Patricia brings deep industry expertise and a passion for greenhouse automation. She has extensive experience collaborating with growers and researchers to develop innovative climate control solutions.

Joe Allio is the President of Petitti Family Farms, a 4,000-acre collection of farms that includes Ridge Manor, Willowbend, Losely, and Klyn. Under his leadership, the farms produce a diverse selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.

These new directors will join current board directors Brian Lloyd, Olsen's Greenhouses, UT; Emily Showalter, Willoway Nurseries, OH; Ken Altman, Altman Specialty Plants, CA; Tom Fessler, Woodburn Nursery and Azaleas, Inc., OR; and Christine Fortman, Berridge Nursery, AZ.

AmericanHort and its members express appreciation to outgoing board members, Kurt Becker of Dramm Corporation, Matt Edmundson of Arbor Valley Nursery, and Ann Tosovsky of Home Nursery Inc., who each served a three-year term from 2022-2025. And special appreciation for the leadership of Rob Lando of AdeptAg, who served on the board from 2019-2025 and was board chair during his tenure.