Inaugural HRI Leadership Academy will present projects at Cultivate’23

The members of the inaugural class of the Horticultural Research Institute Leadership Academy will present the results of their real-world leadership projects at Cultivate’23, with the members of the second class also being introduced during the trade show. 

Managed through HRI and supported by AmericanHort, the program, which was launched in spring 2022, is designed to help ensure a strong future for the green industry by developing leaders at all levels of the industry and focuses on strategy, leadership and people management, numbers and advocacy, and the value chain. 

The one-year program for 12 to 15 students consists of both in-person training sessions and virtual online classes. 

In-person sessions for the inaugural class began in September 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Course principles were put to practical application through course-long leadership projects, which will be presented at Cultivate’23. 

The LEAD Project is a year-long assignment in which participants Learn and research an industry issue, Engage with their team and others, Adopt a position and solution and Deliver an analysis and recommendations.

“The class members are impressive, and this initiative is an important step in ensuring the future of our industry remains bright,” said Alan Jones, HRI board president and president of Maryland’s Manor View Farms, when the class was announced. 

AmericanHort Board of Directors Chairman Jon Reelhorn announced the inaugural class members during the Cultivate’22 keynote address. They are: 

—Susannah Ball, sustainability lead, Ball Horticultural Company (Illinois) 

— Melanie Bedner, finance and marketing director, Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse (Pennsylvania) 

— Sander Brooks, director of southeast sales, Everde Growers (Florida) 

— Hamza Daour, general manager, Dan and Jerry's Greenhouses (Iowa) 

— Kyle Fessler, third-generation grower, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas (Oregon) 

— Matthew Foertmeyer, head grower, Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse (Ohio) 

— Christine Fortman, co-owner, Berridge Nurseries (Arizona) 

— Jonathan Jasinski, chief operating officer, Microplant Nurseries (Oregon) 

— Andy Klittich, third-generation nurseryman, Otto & Sons Nursery (California) 

— Adam Kobes, sales and shipping supervisor, Kobes Nurseries (Ontario) 

— Denise Mullins, director of product innovations, Smith Gardens (Washington) 

— Tyler Richardson, CEO, DeGroot (Michigan) 

— Jacob Stidhman, greenhouse and nursery manager, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens (Kentucky) 

— Ryan Watkins, CEO, Brownswood Nursery (South Carolina) 

In-person classes for the academy’s second class, which will be announced at Cultivate'23, begin in September 2023 and conclude in July 2024. 

For more information, visit HRILeadershipAcademy.org.