Jul 28, 2009

ANLA Gets New Leadership at Annual MeetingSource: ANLA

Tom Courtright of California’s Orchard Nursery and Florist assumed the presidency of the American Nursery and Landscape Association at the organization’s recent Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. He brings a long history of volunteer leadership in local, state, national and international organizations in the nursery and landscape industry. “”Over the next year, ANLA will balance helping our members to weather this economic recession, with preparing them for opportunities that emerge as markets begin to recover,”” he said during his inauguration.

Courtright has served as president of the Central Chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers several times since 1975, and as president of the state association in 1993. He was on the board of Master Nursery Garden Centers for 25 years, was president of the ANLA Retail Division board in 1993 and served on the board of the Horticultural Research Institute from 2002 to 2004, just prior to joining the ANLA Board of Directors.

In 1972, he purchased Orchard Nurseries, where he works today with his daughter. He is part of an extended nursery family. His sister operates the Berkeley, Calif.-based garden center that belonged to their father. Courtright’s wife, Jacquie Williams-Courtright, is the owner of ANLA member company Alden Lane Nursery, located 30 miles from his garden center.

“”ANLA has been there for us in the good times and is now there for us in the tough times. I look forward to the coming year of working with our dedicated leaders and ANLA’s members across the country,”” he said. “”Two heads are better than one. And 100 heads – sharing with each other – is more than 100 times better. Let’s keep sharing, and let’s keep caring. Our members, our industry and our customers are counting on us.””

Board of Directors

The ANLA Senate also elected new leaders to the board of directors and division boards. Bob Lyons of Sunleaf Nursery (Ohio) was named president-elect of the board of directors and will be joined by two new members: Joseph Schulte of Southwood Landscape & Nursery Co. (Oklahoma), and Tom Demaline of Willoway Nurseries (Ohio). New members were also elected to serve on ANLA’s division boards, which are responsible for advising ANLA on the educational and business needs of the grower, garden retail, landscape design/build and landscape distribution communities. The following members were elected to ANLA’s division boards:

Landscape Distribution Division Board
• Philip Statile, JP Statile (New Jersey)
• Eric Joy, Christensen’s Plant Center (Michigan)

Retail Division Board

• Christian Dulina, Atlantic Garden Centers (Virginia)

Landscape Division Board

• Tracy Sides, Landvision Designs (North Carolina)
• Larry Becker, Becker Landscape Contractors (Indiana)

Grower Division Board

• Jon Bartch, Carlton Plants (Oregon)
• Mark Sellew, Prides Corner Farms (Connecticut)