Members of the Society of American Florists have elected three new leaders to the Board of Directors, and nine new leaders to the Grower, Retailer, and Wholesaler councils.
The volunteer leaders on SAF’s board and councils guide all of SAF’s initiatives, from developing events and content to identifying industry challenges SAF needs to address.
“SAF looks forward to perspectives and knowledge the new board and council members will bring to the association,” says SAF CEO Kate Penn. “We rely on their input to help us better understand and meet the needs of members.”
New SAF Board of Directors Members
Thomas Alders, Alders Wholesale Florist, Chris Norwood, Tipton & Hurst, Inc., and Janet Louie, Green Valley Floral were elected to SAF’s Board of Directors
Three new board members will represent the grower, retail and wholesale segments. Their three-year terms begin in November.
SAF Board – Wholesaler
Thomas Alders, Alders Wholesale Florist, Campbell Hall, New York
Thomas Alders is the co-owner and president of Alders Wholesale Florist in Campbell Hall, New York, a regional wholesale florist serving the greater Hudson Valley and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Originally from Goshen, New York, he has worked in the wholesale flower industry for 48 years at the business started by his parents in 1959. Alders’ greatest interest in the wholesale florist business is the flowers, bringing the best product possible to his customers, and working and visiting with growers, exporters and importers from all over the world. He has served on SAF’s Wholesale Council and the Government Relations Committee, and currently serves as a member of the review committee and treasurer for Boy Scouts of America.
SAF Board – Retailer
Chris Norwood, Tipton & Hurst, Inc., Little Rock, Arkansas
Chris Norwood AAF, AIFD, PFCI, is vice president of floral operations at Tipton & Hurst, Inc. in Little Rock, Arkansas. Norwood has been an active member of AIFD and has served as its national president, and is also the past CEO and chairman of the AIFD Foundation, where he is a current board member. He was named an AIFD fellow and received the AIFD Distinguished Service Award at its 2022 Symposium. Norwood received SAF’s American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) designation, is a member of Professional Floral Communicators-International (PFCI), serves on SAF’s Retail Council, and just completed his term as president of the Arkansas Florist Association. Norwood has presented at numerous industry conventions and events and has been featured publications and appears weekly on KATV’s “Good Morning Arkansas” show. He was recently recognized as best event planner by Soirée and Inviting Arkansas magazines.
SAF Board – Grower
Janet Louie, Green Valley Floral, Salinas, California
Janet Louie is a co-owner of Green Valley Floral in Salinas, California. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental toxicology from the University of California, Davis, she joined the family business in 1988 to manage sales, grading, and shipping with her husband, Curtis, who oversees growing and product development. Louie manages the processing, sales, and shipping of more than 10,000 stems per day within the company’s cut flower operation. As sales manager, she is responsible for more than 200 wholesale and retail accounts nationwide, as well as all marketing programs, strategy, and media relations. As human resources manager, she oversees employee benefits, safety/training programs and relations for 38 employees in two growing locations. She has served on SAF’s Growers Council, has been a member of the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association and California State Florists Association, and served as a California Cut Flower commissioner. She also served three terms as an elected committee member of the U.S. Farm Service Agency, an arm of the USDA.
SAF Council Elections
Nine floral professionals were elected to seats on the Grower, Retailer, and Wholesaler councils. Their three-year terms begin in 2024.
Grower Council Winners
Susannah Ball of Ball Horticultural Company, Paige Kennicott of Kennicott Kuts, and Ana Maria Ramirez of Danzinger were elected to the Growers Council.
Susannah Ball is the fourth-generation owner of Ball Horticultural Company, having started with the company full time in 2017.
Paige Kennicott is the sales manager at Kennicott Kuts, a family-owned farm specializing in all field grown products.
Ana Maria Ramirez is the marketing and key account manager at Danziger.
Retail Council Winners
Sam Bowles of Allen’s Flowers & Plants, Jodi McShan, AAF, AIFD, PFCI of McShan Florist in Dallas, and Raya Ward of Nielsen’s Florist were elected to the Retailers Council.
Sam Bowles (West) is the general manager and creative director at Allen’s Flowers & Plants, which has five retail stores and a design studio serving San Diego.
Jodi McShan, AAF, AIFD, PFCI (Central) is a practicing lawyer and third-generation florist at McShan Florist in Dallas.
Raya Ward (East) is general manager at Nielsen’s Florist, a third-generation family run business in Darien, Connecticut.
Wholesale Council Winners
John Burk of Delaware Valley Floral Group, Derek Dusharm of J A Floral Services (not pictured), and Andrew Hamer of National Floral Supply were elected to the Wholesale Council
John Burk has more than 22 years of experience working for the Delaware Valley Floral Group in Sewell, New Jersey.
Derek Dusharm is with J A Floral Service in Miami, Florida.
Andrew Hamer is the president and managing partner at National Floral Supply in Orange, Connecticut, and the CFO and partner at Stellar Farms and Stellar Bouquet in Miami, Florida.
Katie Butler is the senior vice president of the Society of American Florists.