AmericanHort announces new board members, officers

COLUMBUS, Ohio — AmericanHort has announced the election of three new members to the Board of Directors, along with the installation of a new slate of officers. These individuals are leaders from across the horticulture industry and encompass various experiences, skills and backgrounds.

The official welcome will take place at Cultivate’18, July 14-17, in Columbus, Ohio. “It’s important that all segments of our industry are represented on the board, and we are excited to welcome this diverse group of new members,” said Ken Fisher, president & CEO of AmericanHort. “We also sincerely appreciate the dedication and commitment of our officers.”

The new slate of officers will include the following individuals as new Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board:

Mike Klopmeyer, Chairman of the Board, joined Ball Horticultural Company as corporate plant pathologist in 1989. As of August 2018, Mike will serve as president of Ball FloraPlant after serving for ten years as general manager of Darwin Perennials, both divisions of Ball Horticultural Company. While his focus is devoted to breeding and product development in vegetative perennials, Mike has extensive experience in plant pathology, plant propagation, vegetative production and phytosanitary/regulatory issues across greenhouse, nursery and landscape segments. His global experience includes managing production sites in Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala in addition to business experience in North America and EU markets. Mike has been on the AmericanHort Board of Directors since 2015 and has most recently served as Vice Chairman of the Board.

Susie Raker-Zimmerman, Vice Chairman of the Board, currently serves as vice president at Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants and has been on the AmericanHort Board of Directors since 2015. Susie has experience in purchasing, sales, and as general manager working with management staff to implement KPI’s and structure. She was previously on the board of the Ohio Florist Association (OFA) and a board member of the Michigan Greenhouse Council.

New board members include:

Rob Lando recently served as a member on the AmericanHort Finance Committee. Rob’s Oberlin, Ohio-based company, Agrinomix, is North America’s largest supplier of automation to nurseries and greenhouses. He and three grower partners formed AgriNomix in 1994 to provide local sales and service for high-tech, Dutch-made automation. While continuing to do so, the company has become a sizable domestic designer and manufacturer as well. Rob became sole owner of the business in 2002.

Jon Reelhorn is owner and president of Belmont Nursery in Fresno, Calif. Like many successful businesses, Jon’s company values come from the top down. Belmont Nursery is a third generation business that loves being part of their local community and includes nursery growing, greenhouse growing, and a retail garden center.

Chris McCorkle is vice president of operations of McCorkle Nurseries, Inc., a family-owned business which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. He oversees all operational areas, including propagation, potting, production, inventory, maintenance, tagging, labeling and distribution. Chris leads by example and can often be found working alongside the employees he supervises. Chris also serves on the Center for Applied Nursery Research Board of Directors as secretary/treasurer.

AmericanHort and its members also want to thank outgoing board members, Dan Batson, GreenForest Nursery Inc., three-year term; Mark Sellew, Prides Corner Farms, three-year term; and Terri Bates, Bates Sons & Daughters Inc., who had served for nine years.