Jun 30, 2025

AmericanHort announces 2025 board of directors

AmericanHort has announced the newly elected 2025-2026 board of directors, with new leadership set to take office at Cultivate’25 on July 13.Kent Fullmer of Fullmer’s Landscaping in Ohio will serve as board chair, with Derek Clark of South Central Growers in Tennessee as vice chair. Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries will transition to immediate past chair. J. Harvey Cotton will continue as board treasurer in a non-voting role.

New board members include Patricia Dean of Wadsworth Control Systems, Joe Allio of Petitti Family Farms, Scott Valentine of Express Seed Company and Bradd Yoder of Star Roses and Plants. Each brings horticulture and greenhouse experience, including specialties in automation, nursery production and genetic distribution.

These directors join continuing members Brian Lloyd, Emily Showalter, Ken Altman, Tom Fessler and Christine Fortman. The association also recognized outgoing directors Kurt Becker, Matt Edmundson and Ann Tosovsky for their service from 2022 to 2025. Rob Lando was acknowledged for six years on the board, including time as chair.

“We are honored to welcome our incoming board members, whose leadership will bring fresh energy and insight to our organization,” said Ken Fisher, president and CEO of AmericanHort.

The board will guide initiatives that support growers and industry professionals nationwide through advocacy, education and innovation.