Andrea Avila (Smith Gardens – OR) oversees the company’s largest facility, producing over half its annual volume. With a background in corporate finance and production operations, she brings global perspective and strong leadership rooted in lean practices and people development. Originally from Costa Rica, Andrea has more than two decades of experience in horticulture across international markets and is also a dedicated board member of the Oregon Association of Nurseries.
Meet the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2026: Ten Industry Leaders Shaping the Future of Horticulture
Jennifer Gray • July 23, 2025
COLUMBUS, OH – July 22, 2025 – The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) and AmericanHort are proud to announce the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2026, a cohort of accomplished professionals from across the green industry who are poised to take their leadership to the next level. These individuals, representing various industry segments and career paths, were selected for their commitment to horticulture and their desire to help shape the industry's future.
The HRI Leadership Academy is a one-year advanced leadership program designed for experienced horticulture professionals looking to elevate their influence and expand their strategic thinking and business skills. Built around in-person classes, peer collaboration, and mentorship, this program prepares leaders to confidently navigate business challenges, drive innovation, and spark positive change in their businesses, the industry, and their communities.
Introducing the Class of 2026:
Fred Higginbotham III (Millcreek Gardens – OH) started as an intern and rose to a key leadership role managing growing operations. Fred is known for his steady presence, strategic thinking, and deep commitment to mentoring and workforce development. With over two decades of industry experience, he is deeply invested in sustainability, quality control, and helping his team grow professionally.
Tom Hughes (Hughes Nursery & Landscaping – IA) is a fourth-generation owner and president of his family business. With over 25 years of experience, Tom blends operational excellence with community stewardship and a legacy mindset. He is active in civic leadership, has served on various nonprofit boards, and is a former chairman of the AmericanHort board. Tom is committed to supporting young industry professionals and strengthening family business values within the industry.
Colin Jones (Manor View Farm – MD) has built his career at the intersection of nursery production and landscape operations, giving him a well-rounded view of the challenges and opportunities facing green industry businesses. He focuses on improving internal systems, fostering team development, and driving business growth through efficiency. Colin also serves on the board of the Landscape Contractors Association, where he advocates for professional standards and continued industry advancement.
Kaitlyn Larson (Larson’s Garden Center & Landscaping – CT) leads her family’s century-old business and has expanded both its retail and design/build operations. She is a champion for customer experience, team development, and peer collaboration. Kaitlyn co-founded the Connecticut Garden Center Leadership Council and actively works to bring forward-thinking strategies into traditional retail spaces.
Rebecca Lusk (Vaughan’s Horticulture – IL) brings two decades of experience in floriculture sales and strategy. She’s known for her work with key retail accounts, her practical leadership style, and her commitment to advancing women in the industry. Rebecca previously founded Luxflora, a past initiative focused on women in horticulture, and she continues to focus on collaborative leadership and business growth.
Emily Mason (Syngenta Flowers – CA) is the Global Head of Marketing, with over 25 years of experience in product management, branding, and strategy. Her international career spans roles in Europe and Latin America, with a focus on innovation and inclusive leadership. Emily has held executive roles at multiple global firms and is recognized for bringing consumer insights and data-driven strategy into every facet of the horticulture value chain.
Hilliary Metzger (Home Nursery – IL) leads a multi-state sales team for one of the Midwest’s top nursery growers. She is focused on customer service, team culture, and supporting the next generation through FFA and educational outreach. Known for her collaborative, people-first approach, Hilliary works to build long-term relationships and to cultivate a strong internal culture.
Amanda Staehely (Columbia Nursery – OR) owns and operates her family business and recently served as president of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. She brings a bold voice in advocacy, entrepreneurship, and grassroots leadership. Amanda has significantly grown her company’s revenue and reach and is also active in community-based programs that support youth and the arts.
Leland Toering (Ball FloraPlant – IL) manages national sales strategy across North America. His career includes work in retail, cut flowers, and international operations, and he focuses on succession planning and strategic alignment. Leland is known for his steady leadership and deep product knowledge, and he regularly collaborates with global teams to bring innovative products to market.
These individuals represent the next wave of horticultural leadership. “The HRI Leadership Academy continues to elevate the green industry's most promising leaders,” states Jennifer Gray, HRI Administrator. “Each year, we look for individuals who are not only accomplished professionals but also thoughtful, forward-thinking leaders. This class brings together the mix of experience, creativity, and purpose that reflects the best of what our industry has to offer.”
Ken Fisher, President & CEO of AmericanHort, adds, "Programs like the HRI Leadership Academy are critical to ensuring the long-term strength of our industry. We’re not only investing in the growth of these leaders—we’re investing in the success and sustainability of horticulture as a whole."
The HRI Leadership Academy provides tools, community, and perspective to lead boldly and collaboratively across a changing industry landscape.
Interested in applying for the next class? Applications for the Class of 2027 open in Fall 2025. Visit www.hrileadershipacademy.org to learn more about eligibility, expectations, and how this experience could help shape your future in the green industry.
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Soilless Substrate Science (S3) is a national transdisciplinary collaboration developed to support growers as we advance to the next generation of substrates. Our team is leading North American efforts to develop new substrate materials and techniques, and working with growers to support implementation, as we support the global transition to substrates that go Beyond Peat. In this webinar, Dr. Jeb Fields will discuss the S3 team efforts surrounding identification of new substrate materials, processing and development, and grower support. We will explore wood fiber processing, sugarcane bagasse substrate development, stabilization of organic fibers, databasing substrate materials, and opportunities for growers to get involved. Overall, attendees will learn about US efforts to develop domestically-sourced substrates and advance substrate science as we move towards the next generation of substrate science. Our Speaker Dr. Jeb Fields is a production horticulturist who works with growers in Florida and throughout the country to support more effective and efficient production practices through his environmental nursery research program. Jeb’s primary interests include growing media & substrate science, irrigation & fertilizer management, whole plant-water relations and plant abiotic stress physiology. Jeb is an internationally recognized substrate scientist, the leader of the Beyond Peat project through the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative, and the national S3 (Soilless Substrate Science) team which pursues advancements of the global substrate industry and development sustainable substrate materials and practices, including substrate stratification. Jeb is the editor for Nursery & Landscape Insider, a biweekly e-newsletter from Ball Publishing, that reaches over 32,000 stakeholders worldwide. For his efforts, he has been recognized with numerous awards, honors, and leadership positions. Prior to joining UF, Jeb was a professor and research station director with the LSU AgCenter. Jeb studied at UF for his B.S., NC State University for his M.S., and Virginia Tech for his Ph.D. – with all degrees focusing on production horticulture.
This webinar dives into the problem of rose rosette virus. Shrub roses consist of multiple canes attached to a root system and produce beautiful spring growth in the form of new flowering stems and branches. Experts will provide an overview of how rose rosette virus first attacks flowering growth and can move throughout the stem. At the same time rosette symptoms appear in mature distinct stems of a plant and may be absent from others. The research delves into understanding how the vascular system connects the flowering stems and above ground canes. The research is to understand how virus movement between adjacent stems and only appears to cause disease in a few but not all canes of the same plant. This research is important to explore potential management approaches to safeguard rose.
The horticulture industry continues to change as new technologies, production practices, and consumer expectations reshape the marketplace. Research plays an essential role in helping growers, landscapers, and retailers adapt and succeed. That’s exactly where the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) enters the chat. Every year, HRI selects and funds research projects that advance horticulture. In 2026, HRI is investing more than $560,000 in 18 research projects that target challenges across the horticultural supply chain, including plant production, pest and disease management, landscape plant performance, and consumer insights. “What makes HRI research so valuable is that it focuses on real challenges the industry is facing right now,” said Mark Yelanich, HRI President and Research Director at Metrolina Greenhouses. “The 2026 HRI-funded projects were selected because they develop knowledge, processes, or tools that businesses can actually use.” HRI’s four strategic research priorities guide funding decisions, focusing on quantifying plant benefits, creating innovative solutions, gathering consumer insights, and producing practical solutions to industry challenges. The 2026 projects reflect these priorities across the horticulture supply chain.
