Aug 20, 2025

AFE adds new trustees and committee leaders

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has announced two new trustees and new committee chair appointments, effective Sept. 1, 2025.

Kristin Gilliland, president of Gardens America Inc., and Kevin Prill, category manager of floral at The GIANT Company, will join the board. Both will serve on the Public Relations/Development and Floral Marketing Fund Committees.

Gilliland has more than 30 years in the floral industry and has held roles across operations, management and industry councils. Prill brings over 40 years of retail experience, including 35 in floral, and currently oversees floral purchasing and merchandising across more than 190 stores at The GIANT Company.

AFE also named Kevin McCarthy of Family Flowers as co-chair of the Public Relations/Development Committee and Vijay Rapaka of Oasis Grower Solutions as chair of the Research Committee.

Outgoing trustees include Jackie Lacey of ByJRL and Greg Royer of Royer’s Flowers and Gifts. Both were recognized for their leadership and long-standing contributions to AFE.

“AFE looks forward to the leadership and insight these new trustees will bring,” the organization said in its announcement.

AFE trustees serve three-year terms and contribute to the endowment’s mission of funding research, internships, scholarships and education for the floral industry. AFE welcomes new trustees and committee chairs to guide floral industry programs. Learn more about the leadership changes and get involved today.

Here is the complete list of the AFE Board of Trustees.