AmericanHort names 2026-2027 officers, new leadership
Key takeaways:
- AmericanHort members elected new board officers and directors for the 2026-2027 term.
- Derek Clark will serve as board chair and Emily Showalter as vice chair.
- The new board will be installed July 12 during Cultivate’26 in Columbus, Ohio.
AmericanHort has announced the newly elected 2026-2027 board officers and new board directors, selected by association members for their leadership, expertise and commitment to excellence.
“This board brings together leaders who understand where the industry is headed and what it will take to succeed — strong businesses, a skilled workforce, and a culture of innovation,” Ken Fisher, AmericanHort CEO, said. “We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited for the impact they will make in the years ahead.”
The new slate of officers for 2026-2027 includes Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses as the incoming board chair and Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries as board vice chair. Kent Fullmer of Fullmer’s Landscaping will become the immediate past chair and J. Harvey Cotton will continue to serve as board treasurer.
Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses will become chair of the board. Clark is director of sales for Metrolina Greenhouses. Previously, he was director of sales for South Central Growers, a second-generation family-owned greenhouse in Springfield, Tennessee, that merged with Metrolina Greenhouses in 2026. He began working in the horticulture industry in 2005 and held several key account management roles before joining South Central Growers in 2013.
Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries, will become vice chair of the board. Showalter is the chief of HR at Willoway Nurseries in Avon, Ohio, a third-generation family-owned business and one of the largest wholesale growers of nursery stock in the Midwest.
The AmericanHort membership has elected the following new board directors:
Genevieve Reiner Mills is COO and in-house counsel for Oakland Nursery and director of Oakland Green Interiors. As a third-generation family business leader, she plays a key role in guiding operations and long-term strategies across the company’s retail, production and interiors divisions.
Robert Saunders is the CEO of Saunders Brothers, a fourth-generation family business based in Piney River, Virginia. He works alongside his brothers and next-generation family. The operation includes container and field production, orchard fruit, and a retail farm market.
AmericanHort and its members express appreciation to outgoing board members Ed Overdevest of Overdevest Nurseries LP for his leadership as board chair and contributions while serving on the board. They also thank Brian Lloyd of Olson’s Greenhouse for his service and contributions as board director during his three-year term.
The new board will be installed during the annual AmericanHort business meeting, held on Sunday, July 12 at Cultivate’26.
Photo courtesy of AmericanHort.
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