AmericanHort has 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," Ken Fisher, CEO for AmericanHort, said. "We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited for the impact they will make in the years ahead."
New Slate of Officers for 2026-2027 includes Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses as the incoming board chair, and Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries, Inc. as board vice chair. Kent Fullmer of Fullmer's Landscaping, Inc, will become the immediate past chair and J. Harvey Cotton will continue to serve as board treasurer.
Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses will become Chair of the Board. Clark 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. Previously, he was the Director of Sales for South Central Growers, a second-generation family-owned greenhouse in Springfield, TN, that merged with Metrolina Greenhouses in 2026. He began working in the horticulture industry in 2005 and held several key account management roles before joining South Central Growers in 2013. Derek is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a graduate of the Executive Academy for Growth and Leadership. He is passionate about helping strengthen the industry for future generations.
Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries, Inc will become Vice Chair of the Board. Showalter is the Chief of Human Resources at Willoway Nurseries, Inc. in Avon, OH, a third-generation family-owned business and one of the largest wholesale growers of quality nursery stock in the Midwest. She grew up in the family business, graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Agriculture, completed the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Program, and is a graduate of the Executive Academy for Growth and Leadership. Emily served as President of the Ohio Green Industry Association in 2020 and serves on area Horticulture program advisory boards.
The AmericanHort membership has 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. As a third-generation family business leader, she plays a key role in guiding operations and long-term strategies across the company's retail, production, and interiors divisions. Genevieve has served as president of the Ohio Green Industry Association and is an active leader within the AmericanHort Interior Plantscape Community Connector group and a strong advocate for local and small business ownership. She holds degrees from Boston College and The Ohio State University, including a Juris Doctor from the Moritz College of Law.
Robert Saunders is the CEO of Saunders Brothers, a fourth-generation family business based in Piney River, Virginia. He works alongside his brothers and next- generation family. The diversified operation includes container and field production, orchard fruit, and a retail farm market. Robert was named the Southeastern Farmer of the Year in 2022 in recognition of the company's commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership within the agriculture industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Virginia Tech.
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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 and Azaleas, Inc; and Christine Fortman, Berridge Nursery; Scott Valentiune, Express Seed Company; and Bradd Yoder, Star Roses and 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.
For more information
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