2013 New Board

John Kittinger AIFD, CFD Named President of American Institute of Floral Designers

BALTIMORE (July 2013) – John Kittinger AIFD, CFD of The Best of Flowers in Lexington, Ky. (right in picture) was installed as president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) during the organization’s 2013 National Symposium held in Las Vegas, June 28 – July 2. He succeeds Ann Jordan AIFD, CFD of Ann Jordan Design Consulting in Naples, Maine (left in picture) as the volunteer leader of the floral industry’s leading organization in design education.

Installed as president-elect of AIFD was Tim Farrell AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI of Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, Pa. Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, CFD, PFCI of Designer Destination in Tucson, Ariz. was elected to serve as the Institute’s vice president and Suzie Kostick AIFD, CFD, PFCI, MCF of Rio Rancho, N.M. will continue as AIFD’s secretary. Tom Simmons AIFD, CFD of Three Bunch Palms Productions in Palm Springs, Calif was elected to serve as treasurer of the Institute.

Jackie Lacey AIFD, CFD, PFCI of Floriology Institute in Hilton Head Island, S.C. will serve as the membership chairperson and Frank Feysa AIFD, CFD of Garden Gate, Inc. in Aurora, Ohio will take on the role as AIFD’s 2014 Symposium coordinator for “Transition Transformation” taking place July 3-7 in Chicago, Ill.

Continuing to serve as directors-at-large are Janet Black AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI of Designs Florist and Interiors in Bethel, Maine, Ted Bruehl AIFD, CFD of The Chocolate Rose in Irving, Texas, Bill McKinley AIFD, CFD of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Elected to serve a new term are BJ Dyer AIFD, CFD, AAF, CPF of Bouquets in Denver, Colo. and Kim Oldis AIFD, CFD of Details…..it’s all about the flowers in LaConner, Wash.

Continuing to serve as regional chapter representatives are Kevin Coble AIFD, CFD of Le Fleur in Memphis, Tenn. for the Southern Chapter, Ron Mulray AIFD, CFD of the Philadelphia Flower Co. in Philadelphia, Pa. for the North East Chapter, Jim Rauch AIFD, CFD, OCF of Unique Designs Floral Studio in Dayton, Ohio for the North Central Chapter, Marie Ackerman AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AAF of Teleflora Education Center in Oklahoma City, OK for the South Central Chapter, Michael Quesada AIFD, CFD of Kaleidscope Flowers in Santa Barbara, Calif. for the Southwest Chapter, and Mike Hollenbeck AIFD, CFD of Floral Artistry Espresso Garden in Lewiston, Idaho for the Northwest Chapter.

This year we have four AIFD members retiring from the board: Mary Linda Horn AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI: 2007-2013; Ken Norman AIFD, CFD: 2010-2013; Richard Salvaggio AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI: 1995-2003 and 2007-2013; and Tom Bowling AIFD, CFD, PFCI: 2006-2013.

Thomas C. Shaner, CAE, continues as AIFD’s executive director. AIFD is headquartered in Baltimore.