On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA June-July 2016 | Page 14

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Green Industry News

Rejuvenated SEGreen
to meet in Athens

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BY BRIE ARTHUR

AmericanHort names Ken Fisher
as president, CEO

The AmericanHort Board of Directors has named Ken
Fisher as the company’s next president and chief executive
officer, effective immediately. Fisher has 20 years of experience leading public and privately-held companies, including
iconic consumer brands Coleman and Elmer’s Products Inc.
Fisher’s diverse business experience will further the vision and
strategy of AmericanHort, while bringing proven organizational management to achieve the desired results.
“We know the industry values our advocacy work and
educational programs, especially Cultivate. Ken’s expertise will assist us in enhancing existing offerings, while adding new value
that will broaden our membership,” said Dale Deppe, AmericanHort
Board Chairman. “The pace of change in our industry is rapid, and he
has experience successfully leading organizations through both business
and regulatory cycles. Ken’s business growth track record is exactly what
AmericanHort needs, as we enter our next chapter, which I am confident
will be even more impactful and exciting than our last.”
Fisher said near-term objectives will be to examine AmericanHort’s value proposition to ensure it provides substantial benefit to growers, retailers,
installers, and industry suppliers. “Additional focus will be on meeting the
unique needs of nursery and landscape members. We will align resources to
enhance our ability to create value and as a result grow our member base,”
he said.
Fisher succeeds Michael Geary, who resigned last year to be chief executive officer at the Society for Market Professional Services.
Go-forward strategies identified include:
• Help to develop prosperous businesses in current and future economic
and market conditions
• Position horticulture to be a relevant and thriving industry where more
individuals and future generations will consider it a desirable career
• Promote the benefits of plants to be valued and sought after for their
health/wellness and economic benefits in communities
Source: AmericanHort

gardenwriters.org
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The Southern Nursery Association has
announced details of the SEGreen Plant
and Landscape Conference, Aug. 31 to
Sept. 1, to be held in conjunction with the
Marketplace Trade Show at The Classic
Center, Athens, Georgia.

Enabling participants to see
more green in their future, this
unique forum will provide a
platform for learning about and
sourcing new and innovative
products, gaining knowledge
about near and long-term industry dynamics and cultivating new
business relationships. SEGreen
will attract all industry segments
across the Southeast—breeders, growers,
landscapers, retailers, researchers, manufacturers, distributors, communicators and
service providers. The event is expected
to draw more than 2,000 industry professionals.
“SEGreen is truly a vision of the future,
offering attendees a new opportunity to
see leading “green” people, see the newest and most innovative “green” products
and see more “green” in their bottom line,
” said Karen Summers, SNA Executive Vice
President. “And Athens has a lot to offer—
from art, shopping, dining and nightlife to
gardens, local nurseries and retail garden
centers. It has the vibe and energy to
attract a large audience and build a fresh,
new regional event.”
Additionally, the SEGreen VISION Talks
will showcase industry leaders through
innovative technology. Hosted by GWA
Region IV Director Brie Arthur, Vision Talks
will feature four experts fielding live questions from young professionals. Through
the new series “Emergent Live Blab,”
the SEGreen experience will be available
to horticulture professionals around the
world.