AmericanHort Announces New Industry Leaders

Chris Beytes

When the AmericanHort Board of Directors meets in Columbus, Ohio, at Cultivate’17 in July, they will welcome three newly elected Board Members to the 13-member Board and install a new slate of officers. The AmericanHort Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from across the breadth of the horticulture industry and encompasses various experiences, skills and backgrounds.

The Board welcomes newcomers:

Steve Castorani, CEO/President of North Creek Nurseries

Tom Hughes, owner of Hughes Nursery & Landscaping

Cole Mangum, Vice President of Production at Bell Nursery

Steve Castorani has vast experience in greenhouse, nursery and garden center retail. Steve is co-founder of North Creek Nurseries and the American Beauties Native Plant brand. Steve’s industry involvement includes roles as president of the International Plant Propagator’s Society, president of the Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association and member of the Delaware Invasive Species Council.

Tom Hughes is a fourth-generation nurseryman and his business grows nursery stock to support their design/build landscape business. Tom has served his community and industry in various capacities, including Land Use Committee Chair for the Shueyville United Methodist Church, President of the Prairie (K-12) School District Foundation, industry representative for the Kirkwood Community College Horticulture Advisory Committee, an Agriculture Committee Member for the Iowa State University Foundation, and board member and president of the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association.

Cole Mangum oversees production at Bell Nurseries, including greenhouse production of an estimated 90 million annuals. Cole has dedicated himself to advocating for various facets of the industry over the course of his career. This includes serving on the National Leadership Cabinet for the Seed Your Future Initiative and as Horticulture Representative for the Maryland Agricultural Commission.

Teri Bates, current Chairman of the Board, will become Immediate Past Chairman of the Board and continue her involvement by advocating for industry growth, unification and broader collaboration across all segments of the supply chain.

Tom Demaline will assume the role of Chairman of the Board and offers deep knowledge of the horticulture industry, as well as a history of dedicated involvement with the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association and the Horticultural Research Institute.

Mike Klopmeyer is the new Vice Chairman of the Board and is the current general manager of Darwin Perennials.

The new board members will be formally inducted to the Board of Directors at Cultivate’17, July 15-18. GT