NAPLES, Fla. – FNGLA's 60th president, president-elect and secretary/treasurer have been elected and are looking forward to facilitating a successful year for Florida's green industry and for the FNGLA community. FNGLA leaders, family and friends came together for FNGLA's Annual Convention in June for a celebration at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples.
The new leaders are:
Halsey Beshears, president
Halsey Beshears of Simpson Nurseries in Monticello automatically moved from president-elect to FNGLA president. Beshears has served as president of the Big Bend Chapter, was a member of the Membership Committee since 2004, and on FNGLA's Board of Directors since 2003. Besides his FNGLA participation, Beshears is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, a founding member and past president of the Tallahassee Young Entrepreneurs Organization and sits on the Board of Advisors for Farmers and Merchants Bank. Married to Cristin since 2000, the couple has three little girls. In 2008, his family won the Farm Bureau Family of Jefferson County award.
Wes Parrish, president-elect
Wes Parrish of Parrish Nursery in Parkland previously served as FNGLA's secretary/treasurer and was elected as FNGLA president-elect. As president-elect, Wes will automatically fill the presidency starting July 1, 2012. He has been a member of FNGLA since 1979, serving the association in a variety of positions including as president of the National Foliage Foundation (NFF) and as treasurer and committee member for The Landscape Show. He has also been on FNGLA's Board of Directors, active in the Broward Chapter, and has been a member of the Florida Garden Select jury. Parrish and his wife Vickie own Parrish Nursery.
Mike Marshall, secretary/treasurer
Mike Marshall of Marshall Tree Farm in Morriston was elected secretary/treasurer. He has served FNGLA as a committee member and chairman to The Great Southern Tree Conference, sat on the budget committee, has been a woody ornamental division leader and has been on FNGLA's Board of Directors. Aside from FNGLA, Marshall is active in a variety of industry groups including the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), serving on their board of directors and is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute.
Carolan Mahr, immediate past president
Carolan Mahr of Ted Mahr Supply, Inc. in Cape Coral moved from president to immediate past president of FNGLA. Mahr has had significant involvement with many of FNGLA's major programs. She was the Membership Committee Chair upon its establishment, has Convention committee experience, and has been exhibiting in The Landscape Show and TPIE for more than 29 years. Mahr has served on FNGLA's Royal Palm Chapter's board as a director, officer, state board representative, and president and has served her local chapter in a variety of other capacities. Together, she and her husband Dennis own and operate Ted Mahr Supply, Inc.