Meet AmericanHort’s new board leadership for 2026-2027

AmericanHort announced its 2026-2027 board officers and newly elected board directors, with Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses set to serve as board chair.

Clark, director of sales for Metrolina Greenhouses, succeeds Kent Fullmer of Fullmer’s Landscaping, who will serve as immediate past chair. Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries will become board vice chair, while J. Harvey Cotton will continue as board treasurer.

Clark previously served as director of sales for South Central Growers before the company merged with Metrolina Greenhouses in 2026. He has worked in the horticulture industry since 2005 and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Executive Academy for Growth and Leadership.

Showalter is chief human resources officer at Willoway Nurseries in Avon, Ohio. She previously served as president of the Ohio Green Industry Association in 2020 and serves on regional horticulture advisory boards.

The association also elected Genevieve Reiner Mills of Oakland Nursery and Robert Saunders of Saunders Brothers to the board of directors.

Ken Fisher, CEO of AmericanHort, said the board includes leaders focused on workforce development, business growth and innovation across the horticulture industry.

The new directors will join current board members Joe Allio, Ken Altman, Patricia Dean, Tom Fessler, Christine Fortman, Scott Valentiune and Bradd Yoder.

AmericanHort also recognized outgoing board chair Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries and outgoing director Brian Lloyd of Olson’s Greenhouse for their service to the organization.

The new board will be installed during the AmericanHort business meeting at Cultivate’26 on July 12 in Columbus, Ohio.

The new leadership team brings experience from greenhouse production, nursery operations and horticulture business management as AmericanHort continues to focus on workforce development and industry growth.

Photos courtesy of AmericanHort.