Apr 3, 2014

Hall, Moss Warner Take Over Top Spots at AIBSource: America in Bloom

Dr. Charlie Hall, professor at Texas A&M University, is the new America in Bloom (AIB) president. The new vice president is Katy Moss Warner. Each will serve a two-year term.

Hall, a native of North Carolina, has served on the AIB board since 2010 and as co-chair of the fundraising committee and as vice president.

He received his B.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee, and a master’s degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape design from the University of Tennessee. He earned his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University in 1988 and began his academic career at Texas A&M University in 1988, where he spent 13 years on the faculty before joining the faculty at the University of Tennessee in 2002. In August 2007, Dr. Hall returned to Texas A&M University as Professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture.

Dr. Hall’s expertise in the production and marketing of green industry crops is nationally recognized in academia and the horticultural industry. His major research, teaching, and extension areas of specialization include strategic management, market situation/outlook, cost accounting, and financial analysis.

Hall is also a regular contributor to GPN’s Big Grower and was named GPN’s Hort Hero for 2012.

“It is a great pleasure to continue being a part of the great momentum that America in Bloom is experiencing! Communities all across the country are embracing the ideals of AIB and are finding a great number of benefits from doing so. Not only do those communities have the opportunity to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of their efforts, but they are finding many economic, environmental, and health/well-being benefits as well. To me, that is the exciting part of America in Bloom — how quality of life is enhanced by the program.” said Dr. Hall.

Katy Moss Warner has served on the AIB board since 2005 and has chaired the symposium committee for the past three years.

She is President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), a national, non-profit, member-based organization with the vision of “making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens.” Katy was director of Disney’s horticulture and environmental initiatives at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for 24 years.

From 1976 to 2000, she provided the leadership necessary to ensure that Disney’s horticultural traditions of beautiful gardens and themed landscapes were sustained. She is a Longwood Fellow with Longwood Gardens and the University of Delaware as well as a Loeb Fellow with the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Katy judges for America in Bloom and international competitions.

Katy commented, “America in Bloom is growing. Our flagship programs have better participation than ever and we are launching some exciting new programs that will offer towns and cities across America even more opportunity to enhance their communities and plant pride. I am honored to take on a leadership role in AIB at this time.”

Dr. Marvin Miller, who has served as president since 2005, assumes the role of past president and continues to be actively involved on the board with projects he has initiated in the past. With secretary/treasurer Michael Geary, he will continue to provide leadership to AIB on the executive committee.

Miller stated, “I am excited to welcome Charlie and Katy to new leadership positions. As I replace Ron Pierre as America in Bloom’s past president, I thank Ron for his many years of service. Ron was one of AIB’s founding board members, and his dedication over the last 14 years of our organization’s history serves as an inspiration for us all.

“We also recognize the contributions of both Doug Cole and Skip Blackmore, two other retiring board members. Though their tenure was not as long as Ron’s, they, each in their own ways, have been just as dedicated to the organization. I am glad to be able to call all three of these gentlemen friends and am sure they will continue to contribute to America in Bloom in the years ahead.”

Two new members are joining the board, Lela Kelly and Kurt Becker. Kelly is vice president of Dosatron International. Becker is executive vice president of the Dramm Corp.

A complete list of America in Bloom board members can be viewed at www.AmericaInBloom.org.