National Committees

This page features the 2024- 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: Pete Samek AIFD, CFD
2025: Ken Norman AIFD, CFD and Kevin Coble AIFD, CFD
2026: Julie Poelter AIFD, CFD
Fellows Representative: Sharon McGukin AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Ken Norman 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: Jackie Smith Jones AIFD, CFD
2025: Toni Smith Johns AIFD, CFD

2026: Steven Santos AIFD, CFD, Carrie Waterman AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Chris Collum-Williams AIFD, CFD
Industry Partner Advisor: Laura Walsh CFD, Cassie Sanders AIFD, CFD

Education:
Chairperson:  Janet Gallegher AIFD, CFD
Vice Chairperson: Kelsey Thompson AIFD, CFD
2025: Abel Gonzalez Mencino AIFD, CFD,  Silvia Bird AIFD, CFD

2026: Ken Norman AIFD, CFD, Linda Rambaud AIFD, CFD

Advanced Education Task Force: Jodi McShan AIFD, CFD
Online Advisor: Bill 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
2025: Julie Reed AIFD, CFD, Jade Wu AIFD, CFD
2026: Jeanne Ha AIFD, CFD, Keith White AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD

Emerging Professionals

Members:
Chairperson: Michael Smith AIFD, CFD
Vice Chair: Bridget Habetler AIFD, CFD
2025: Alicia Springfield AIFD, CFD
2025: Tasha Flowers AIFD, 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: Theresa Colucci AIFD, CFD
Past President Representative: Janet Black AIFD, CFD
2025: Kim Oldis AIFD, CFD (’24), David Kessler AIFD, CFD, Joyce Mason Monheim

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: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD (’25)
President-Elect: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD (’25)
2025: Susan Ishkanian AIFD, CFD, Ralph Giordano AIFD, CFD

2026: Jeanna Furst AIFD, CFD, Rhonda Lynn Moeckel

2027: John Kittinger AIFD, CFD, Tina Coker AIFD, CFD, Theresa Colucci AIFD, CFD

Fellows Rep: George Mitchell AIFD, CFD (’26)

Focal Points

Members:
Editor: Heather de Kok AIFD, CFD
Co-Editor: Gina Thresher AIFD, CFD
Chapter Past President Representatives:
Sheryl Doerr AIFD, CFD (NC)
Alan Masters AIFD, CFD (SC)
Poppy Parsons AIFD, CFD (NW)
Lupita Quintana AIFD, CFD (SW)
Shannon Toal AIFD, CFD (NE)
Angelyn Tipton AIFD, CFD (S)
Emerging Professional Committee: Michael Smith AIFD, CFD
International Committee Advisor: Louisa Lam AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Rachelle Neal AIFD, CFD

Historian

Members:
Chairperson: Janet Black AIFD, CFD (’25)
Vice-Chair: Bob Gordon AIFD, CFD (’25), Jenny Thomasson-Ingrum AIFD, CFD (’26)
Life Member Advisors: Bob Gordon AIFD, CFD, Rocky Pollitz AIFD, CFD, David Hope AIFD, CFD, Jim Blythe AIFD, CFD
Chapter President Reps:
Trisha Haislar AIFD, CFD (Nc)
Marcela Lopez- Vallejo AIFD, CFD (S)
Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD (SC)
Derrick Vasquez AIFD, CFD (SW)
Dot Chenovert AIFD, CFD (NE)
Poppy Parsons AIFD, CFD (NW)
Liaison: Bradley Shane Cranford 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
2025:  Amanda Elliott AIFD, CFD, Marlin Hargrove AIFD, CFD, Carrie Waterman AIFD, CFD
2026:  Joan Marie Driscoll AIFD, CFD, Adam Havrilla AIFD, CFD, Ashely Brant

Partner Development Chair: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD

Partner Development Vice Chair: Jenny Behlings 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
2025: Brenna Quan AIFD, CFD, Kelly Mace CFD, Robbyn Rae Repp AIFD, CFD
2026: Sarah Lobue AIFD, CFD, Bradley Shane Cranford AIFD, CFD, Amy Neugebauer AIFD, CFD
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: Kenneth Snauwaert AIFD, CFD
Past Chairperson: D. Damon Samuel AIFD, CFD
Cert.Eval/Judging: Louisa Lam AIFD, CFD
CFD Liaison: Sue Bain AIFD, CFD
International Liaison: Jade Wu AIFD, CFD
Laureate Liaison: Carol Inskeep AIFD, CFD
Member Communicate: Tom Bowling AIFD, CFD
Member Recruitment: Ken Senter AIFD, CFD
Member Retention: D. Damon Samuel AIFD, CFD
Mentoring: Dov Kupfer AIFD, CFD
PFDE Coordination: Kenny Snauwaert 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 (’24)
Vice Chairperson: Mary Linda Horn AIFD, CFD (’24)
2026: Marianne Suess AIFD, CFD, Lynette McDougald AIFD, CFD
2026: Jenni McNiece 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
2025: Heather Towne AIFD, CFD, Amanda Voss AIFD, CFD, Lupita Quintana AIFD, CFD
2026: Linda Speer AIFD, CFD, Marth Whitney Buttler CFD, Douglas Bates 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.

Members:
Chairperson: Brent Leech AIFD, CFD
President: Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD
President-Elect: Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD
Treasurer: Todd Bussey AIFD, CFD
Co-Executive Directors: Camron King, Andrés Polanco
Symposium Director: Suzie Kostick AIFD, CFD
’25 Coordinator: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD
’25 Program Coordinator: Frank Feysa AIFD, CFD
‘26 Coordinator: Vonda LaFever AIFD, CFD
’26 Program Coordinator: Randy Wooten AIFD, CFD
Partner Development: Lori Novak AIFD, CFD
Immediate Past Symposium Chair: Jody McLoed AIFD, CFD
Immediate Past Program Coordinator: Michael Derouin AIFD, CFD
Flower Room Coordinator: Jodi McShan AIFD, CFD
Site Selection: Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, CFD (’25), Tom Simmons AIFD, CFD (’26), Christopher Norwood AIFD, CFD
Board Liaison: Brent Leech AIFD, CFD