National Committees

This page features the 2025-2027 committees of volunteer members who are working hard to enhance the value of membership in AIFD® and to assist the floral industry in the advancement of the art of professional floral design.

Awards

AIFD’s Awards Committee solicits and reviews nominations for the five distinguished awards that may be presented each year. The Committee then makes its selection recommendations to the AIFD® Board for approval and coordinates the Awards ceremonies at the National Symposium.

Members:
Chairperson: John Kittinger AIFD, CFD
Vice Chairperson: Sharon McGukin AIFD, CFD
2026: Pete Samek AIFD, CFD and Julie Poelter AIFD, CFD
2027: Kim Oldis AIFD, CFD
Fellows Representative: Tim Farrell AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD

Education

The Education Committee is responsible for researching, developing and implementing educational materials and programs for the professional development of AIFD® members and the floral industry at large. Specifically, the Research Sub-committee oversees the continuing development and revision of the AIFD® Book of Floral Terminology. Through special assignments for research and group discussions, it collects, maintains, defines and refines information pertinent to floral designers. The Committee “Trenditorial” Sub-committee is also responsible for helping to bring the latest on trends in floral design to the members of AIFD®.

Career Development:
Chairperson: Lesleighan Cravens AIFD, CFD
Vice Chairperson: Hanna Souther AIFD, CFD
2026: Cassie Sanders AIFD, CFD
2027: Kim Oldis AIFD, CFD, Adriana Summer AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Chris Collum-Williams AIFD, CFD
Industry Partner Advisor: Laura Walsh CFD, Steven Santos AIFD, CFD

Education:
Chairperson:  Janet Gallegher AIFD, CFD
Vice Chairperson: Kelsey Thompson AIFD, CFD
2026: Ken Norman AIFD, CFD,  Linda Rambaud AIFD, CFD
2027: Pete Samek AIFD, CFD, Elisabeth Stover AIFD, CFD, Ken Proctor CFD
Advanced Education Task Force: Jodi McShan AIFD, CFD
Online Advisor: William McKinley AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Janet Gallagher AIFD, CFD

Education Partners:
Chairperson: Rocio del Pilar Silva Davila AIFD, CFD
Vice Chair: Solomon Ling Kong Leong AIFD, CFD
2026: Lottie McKinnon CFD, Jeanne Ha AIFD, CFD, Keith White AIFD, CFD
2027: Polly Berginc AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD

Emerging Professionals

Members:
Chairperson: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD
Vice Chair: David Parker AIFD, CFD
2026: Michael Smith AIFD, CFD
2027: Christina Ignatius AIFD, CFD, Trish Nishikwana AIFD, CFD, Jeniffer Jones AIFD, CFD, Linda Weinberger CFD
Board Liaison: Jodi McShan AIFD, CFD

Ethical Standards & Bylaws Nominations & Elections

AIFD® Bylaws Committee is charged with the annual review of the Institute Bylaws and for evaluating and making recommendations to amend the Bylaws when requests for such are received by members. The Nominations and Elections Committee coordinates both the National election of members to the AIFD® Board and the election of the officers of the Board. They receive recommendations for nominee considerations and also must help coordinate the elections of Regional Chapter leaders.

Members:
Chairperson and Board Liaison: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD
Past President Representative: Janet Black AIFD, CFD
2026: Kim Oldis AIFD, CFD, Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, CFD
2027: David Kessler AIFD, CFD

Finance

All matters of finance are referred to this important committee. The Finance Committee develops and recommends to the National Board, AIFD’s annual budget. Before the Board can adopt new programs, which will have a financial impact on the Institute, it must refer the matter to the Finance Committee for approval.

Members:
Chairperson and Board Liaison: Todd Bussey AIFD, CFD (’26)
President: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD (’26)
President-Elect: Brent Leech AIFD, CFD (’25)
2026: Jeanna Furst AIFD, CFD, Rhonda Lynn Moeckel
2027: John Kittinger AIFD, CFD, Tina Coker AIFD, CFD, Theresa Colucci AIFD, CFD, Ralph Giordano AIFD, CFD
Fellows Representative: George Mitchell AIFD, CFD (’26)

Focal Points

Members:
Editor: Heather de Kok AIFD, CFD
Co-Editor: Stephanie Garrett AIFD, CFD
Chapter Past President Representatives:
Trisha Hailer AIFD, CFD (NC)
Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD (SC)
Poppy Parsons AIFD, CFD (NW)
Derrick Vasquez AIFD, CFD (SW)
Dot Chenevert AIFD, CFD (NE)
Marcela Lopez- Vallejo AIFD, CFD (S)
Emerging Professional Committee: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD
International Committee Advisor: Rocio del Pilar Silva AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Rachelle Neal AIFD, CFD

Historian

Members:
Chairperson: Janet Black AIFD, CFD (’25)
Vice-Chair: Ken Senter AIFD, CFD (’27), Jenny Thomasson-Ingrum AIFD, CFD (’26)
Life Member Advisors: Bob Gordon AIFD, CFD, Rocky Pollitz AIFD, CFD, Susan Ayala AIFD, CFD, Alan Thompson AIFD, CFD
Chapter President Reps:
Doug Bates AIFD, CFD (NC)
J. Ross Railey AIFD, CFD (S)
William Hattel AIFD, CFD (SC)
Marie Gregory AIFD, CFD (SW)
Susan Krabill AIFD, CFD (NE)
Shamay Andrich AIFD, CFD (NW)
Liaison: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD

Industry Partners/Partner Development

Industry Partners serve as a vital support mechanism for AIFD®. The Industry Partners Committee is responsible for recruiting Partners and for communicating their needs to the AIFD® National Board. The Committee also hosts a light reception for the Partners and coordinates the Partners New Product Program at the National Symposium.

Members:
Chairperson: Mark Pellon AIFD, CFD
Vice-Chair: Laura Graham Ryals AIFD, CFD
Industry Partner Liaison: Adam Havrilla AIFD, CFD
2026:  Joan Marie Driscoll AIFD, CFD, Kathy Rodgers AIFD, CFD, Ashely Brandt AIFD, CFD, Victoria Howle AIFD, CFD, Rhonda Burke AIFD, CFD, Dennis Kelley CFD
Partner Development Chair: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD
Partner Development Vice Chair: Marlin Hargrove AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD

Marketing

AIFD’s Marketing Committee has a two-dimensional program in place to promote AIFD® and its members: to the floral industry and to the public. The committee coordinates a multitude of initiatives to do this. Sub-Committees include one that focuses on Flower Shows and another that helps to coordinate AIFD® Across America sessions.

Members:
Chairperson: Nita Robertson AIFD, CFD
Vice Chair: Tricia Won AIFD, CFD
2026: Sarah Lobue AIFD, CFD, Amy Neugebauer AIFD, CFD
2027: Robbyn Rae Repp AIFD, CFD, Sarah Ekberg AIFD, CFD
TPIE Liaison: Janet Black AIFD, CFD
Industry Liaison: Kelly Mace CFD
Emerging Professionals Liaison: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD
Focal Point Liaison: Heather de Kok
International Committee Advisor: Louisa Lam AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Sharrai Morgan-Faulkner AIFD, CFD

Membership

While every committee is important to AIFD, none has a greater impact on the future of the Institute than the Membership Committee. This committee is responsible for the development and coordination of the process one must successfully complete to become an Accredited Member. They must evaluate the design work of every Candidate for membership with the focus being on always maintaining the highest standards and credibility for AIFD.

Members:
Chairperson: Loann Burke AIFD, CFD
First Vice Chair: Teresa Godfrey AIFD, CFD
Second Vice Chair: Michelle Headrick AIFD, CFD
Past Chairperson: D. Damon Samuel AIFD, CFD
Cert.Eval/Judging: Teresa Godfrey AIFD, CFD
CFD Liaison: Kerey Kelly AIFD, CFD
International Liaison: Jeanne Ha AIFD, CFD
Laureate Liaison: Carol Inskeep AIFD, CFD
Member Communicate: Andie Muller AIFD, CFD
Member Recruitment: Ken Senter AIFD, CFD
Member Retention: Ken Senter AIFD, CFD
Mentoring: Sue Bain AIFD, CFD
PFDE Coordination: Mike Hollenback AIFD, CFD
Reviews/Audits: Bob Tucker AIFD, CFD
Reviews/Audits Education: N/A Done by Ed. Partners Comm
Board Liaison: Loann Burke AIFD, CFD

Student Membership/Artists in Residence

The Student Membership Committee coordinates and provides support to the various student chapters of AIFD®. The Committee also coordinates AIFD’s Artists In Residence program, which provides an expert floral artist as a lecturer for various college classes.

Members:
Chairperson: Brent Leech AIFD, CFD (’26)
Vice Chairperson: Mary Linda Horn AIFD, CFD (’26)
2026: Marianne Suess AIFD, CFD
2027: Judy Janzen AIFD, CFD, William Mckinley AIFD, CFD, Sabinę Green AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Mary Linda Horn AIFD, CFD

Student Competition

Coordinate the annual floral design competition that takes place at each National Symposium.

Members:
Chairperson: Aisha Crivens AIFD, CFD (’26)
Vice Chairperson: Rhonda Lynn-Moeckel  AIFD, CFD
2026: Douglas Bates AIFD, CFD, Martha Whitney Butler AIFD, CFD, Linda Speer AIFD, CFD
2027: Heather Towne AIFD, CFD, Samantha Barber AIFD, CFD, Lupita Quintana AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Aisha Crivens AIFD, CFD

Symposium

Provides leadership and direction in the establishment of long-term policies and procedures to assure AIFD®  members and the floral industry of the quality of a National Symposium.