Nominations for AmericanHort Board of Directors now open

Eligible AmericanHort members are invited to submit applications or nominate an industry leader for the Board of Directors.

Applications will be accepted until Feb.13, 2026. Nominations can be completed online at AmericanHort.org/BoardApply, with elections scheduled to take place in March.

“We welcome the opportunity for accomplished leaders to be part of the AmericanHort Board of Directors,” said AmericanHort President and CEO Ken Fisher. “Members who are elected play a key role in driving progress and shaping what’s next for AmericanHort and the industry.”

Ideal candidates demonstrate strong strategic thinking skills, a governance mindset and commitment and time to support both the association and green industry.

Once the board evaluates the nominations submitted and determines the final slate of nominees, AmericanHort members vote to approve the new directors and officers during the voting period beginning in March.

AmericanHort will officially install newly elected directors and officers at Cultivate’26, in Columbus, Ohio.

The nominating committee is led by immediate past chair, Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries and includes:

• Board Chair Kent Fullmer, Fullmer’s Landscaping
• Board Vice Chair Derek Clark, South Central Growers
• Board Treasurer J. Harvey Cotton Jr., horticultural consultant and author
• Current board directors

Newly elected members will join the current AmericanHort board members, who include:

• Joe Allio, Petitti Family Farms
• Ken Altman, Altman Specialty Plants
• Patricia Dean, Wadsworth Control Systems
• Tom Fessler, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas
• Christine Forman, Berridge Nurseries
• Brian Lloyd, Olson’s Greenhouse
• Emily Showalter, Willoway Nurseries
• Scott Valentine, Express Seed Company
• Bradd Yoder, Star Roses and Plants

For nomination inquiries, contact Ed Overdevest at ejo@overdevest-nurseries.com. For any other questions, contact AmericanHort at 614-487-1117 or Hello@AmericanHort.org.