National Committees

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: Sharon McGukin AIFD ’28
Vice Chair: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD ’28
2027: Kim Oldis AIFD
2028: Pete Samek AIFD, Ken Senter AIFD
Fellows Representative: Tim Farrell AIFD, CFD ’28
Board Liaison: Rhonda Lynn-Moeckel AIFD ’28

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^®.

Education:
Chairperson: Kelsey Thompson AIFD ’28
Vice Chair: Poppy Parsons AIFD ’28
2027: Ken Proctor CFD, and Jade Wu AIFD, CFD
2028: Pete Samek AIFD, CFD, and Wendy Osburn AIFD
Advanced Education Chair: Laurie Lemek AIFD ’28

Advanced Education Subcommittee: Terry Godfrey AIFD, Ken Proctor CFD, Sharon McGukin AIFD, Wendy Osburn AIFD

Online Advisor: William McKinley AIFD ’28
Board Liaison: Janet Gallagher AIFD, CFD ’27

Education Partners:
Chairperson: Solomon Ling Kong Leong AIFD ’28
Vice Chair: Alejandro Figueira AIFD ’28
2027: Polly Berginc AIFD, CFD, David Kessler AIFD, CFD
2028: Keith White AIFD, Rocio Silva AIFD, Eun Sook AIFD
Board Liaison: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD ’27

Emerging Professionals

Chairperson: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD ’27
Vice Chair: David Parker AIFD, CFD ’27
2027: Christina Ignatius AIFD, CFD, Trish Nishikwana AIFD, CFD, Jeniffer Jones AIFD, CFD, Linda Weinberger CFD
2028: Callie Hutson AIFD, Martha Aaron AIFD
Board Liaison: Ralph Giordano AIFD ’27

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: Renee Tucci AIFD ’27
Past President Representative: Frank Feysa AIFD ’28
2027: David Kessler AIFD, CFD, Tim Farrell AIFD, CFD, John Kittinger AIFD
2028: Kim Oldis AIFD, Janet Black AIFD

Board Liason: Renee Tucci AIFD ’27

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.

Chairperson and Board Liaison: Todd Bussey AIFD, CFD ’28
President: Brent Leech AIFD ’27
President-Elect: Rhonda Lynn-Moeckel AIFD ’27
2027: John Kittinger AIFD, CFD, Tina Coker AIFD, CFD, Theresa Colucci AIFD, CFD, Ralph Giordano AIFD, CFD
2028: Renee Potter AIFD, Tom Simmons AIFD
Fellows Representative: Lori Novak AIFD ’28

Board Liason: Todd Bussey AIFD ’28

Focal Points

Editor: Stephanie Garrett AIFD ’28
Co-Editor: Andreia Muller AIFD ’28
Chapter Past President Representatives:
Doug Bates AIFD (NC) ’27
Bill Hattel AIFD  (SC) ’27
Shamay Andrich AIFD  (NW) ’27
Marie Gregory AIFD  (SW) ’27
Sue Krabill AIFD, CFD (NE) ’27
J Ross Railey AIFD (S) ’27
Emerging Professional Committee: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD ’27
International Committee Advisor: Rocio del Pilar Silva AIFD, CFD ’27
Board Liaison: Kay Schlaefli AIFD ’27

Historian

Chairperson: Janet Black AIFD, CFD ’27
Vice Chair: Lou Lynn Moss AIFD ’28
Life Member Advisors: Eddie Payne AIFD, Susan Ayala AIFD, CFD,
Alan Thompson AIFD, CFD

Chapter President Representatives:
Kelsey Thompson AIFD (NC)
Andreia Muller AIFD (S)
Bridget Joslin AIFD (SC)
Paul Miller AIFD (SW)
Mame Broody AIFD (NE)
Mike Hollenbeck AIFD (NW)
Liaison: Brent Leech AIFD

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.

Industry Showcase Committee:
Chairperson: Laura Graham Ryals AIFD ’28
Vice Chair: Mark Pellon AIFD ’27
2027: Joan Marie Driscoll AIFD, CFD, Kathy Rodgers AIFD, CFD, Ashely Brandt AIFD, CFD, Victoria Howle AIFD, CFD, Rhoda Burke AIFD, CFD, Dennis Kelley CFD, Bruce Easley AFID, CFD, Renee Potter AIFD, CFD

2028: Mark Pellon AIFD

Board Liason: Marlin Hargrove AIFD ’29

Partner Development Committee:
Chairperson: Lori Novak AIFD ’27
Vice Chair: Frank Feysa AIFD ’27

Board Liaison:
Rhonda Lynn-Moeckel AIFD, CFD, William Hattel 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: Tricia Won AIFD ’28
Vice Chair: Sarah Ekberg AIFD ’28
2027: Sarah Ekberg AIFD, Svetlana Bespalov AIFD
2028: Lenzee Bilke AIFD, Jenny Ingrim AIFD, Donald Yim AIFD
TPIE Liaison: Janet Black AIFD, CFD
Industry Liaison: Kelly Mace CFD
Emerging Professionals Liaison: Melissa Bohl AIFD, CFD
Focal Point Liaison: Stephanie Garrett AIFD
International Committee Advisor: Jeanne Ha AIFD
Board Liaison: Poppy Parsons AIFD ’28

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: Teresa Godfrey AIFD, CFD ’28
First Vice Chair: Mike Hollenbeck AIFD ’28
Second Vice Chair: Darcie Garcia AIFD 
PFDE Chair: Carol Inskeep Proulx AIFD
Past Chairperson: Loanne Burke AIFD
Cert.Eval/Judging: Keith White AIFD ’28, Terry Godfrey AIFD ’28
CFD Liaison: Karey Kelly AIFD, CFD ’27
International Liaison: Jeanne Ha AIFD, CFD ’28 and Janet Black AIFD ’28
Laureate Liaison: Carol Inskeep AIFD, CFD ’28
Member Communications: Andie Muller AIFD, CFD ’27
Member Recruitment: Ken Senter AIFD, CFD
Member Engagement: Judy Janzen AIFD ’28
Mentoring: Sue Bain AIFD, CFD, ’28 and Dov Kupfer AIFD, CFD ’27
CEU Administrations: David Yacaginski AIFD ’28

PFDE Photography Coordination: Amanda Nicolai AIFD
Induction Stage Coordination: Bob Tucker AIFD

Board Liaison: 

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

Members:
Chairperson: Linda Speer AIFD ’28
Vice Chairperson: Heather Towne AIFD ’28
2027: Samantha Barber AIFD, CFD, Lupita Quintana AIFD, CFD
2028: Martha Whitney Butler AIFD, Blanca Mondragon AIFD, Elisabeth Stover AIFD 
Board Liaison: Aisha Crivens AIFD, CFD 

Staff Liason: Suzie Kostick AIFD

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: Mary Linda Horn AIFD, CFD ’28
Vice Chair: Roger Dennis AIFD ’28
2027: Judy Janzen AIFD, CFD, William McKinley AIFD, CFD, Sabinę Green AIFD, CFD
2028: Brent Leech AIFD. Sandi Lei Yoshihara AIFD
Board Liaison: Pat Scace AIFD ’28

Symposium Development Committee

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.

Chairperson: Aisha Crivens AIFD
Treasurer: Todd Bussey AIFD, CFD
2027: Coordinator: Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, CFD
2027: Program Coordinator: Chris Collum-Williams AIFD, CFD
2028: Symposium Coordinator: John Kittinger AIFD
2028: Program Coordinator: Kim Oldis AIFD
Partner Development Chairperson: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD
Floral Design Educator: Leanne Kessler AIFD, CFD
Retail Florist: Lenzee Bilke AIFD
Industry Partner: Lori Wilson
Event Designer: Katherine Gonzalez AIFD
Technology & Marketing Expert: Yvonne Ashton
Sustainability Advocate: Gracie Alvarez CFD
International Representative: Caroline Crabb AIFD, CFD
Mass Market Representative: Laurel Hollopeter AIFD, CFD
Guest of AIFD: Sue McCleary
Board Liaison: Vice President: Aisha Crivens AIFD