Vonda LaFever AIFD, CFD, PFCI

A successful entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in the floral industry, Vonda is widely respected for both her creative talent and business knowledge. Her past accolades include retail shop owner, Teleflora Unit President and Unit Director, college professor, Academy Awards Designer, White House Special Events Designer, and published contributor to Flowers& and Flowers Are Forever. She has been actively involved in AIFD since 1989, including roles on the National Board and Membership Committee, Program Coordinator, and as a Main Stage Presenter. She is the founder and CEO of Flower Clique, proud Teleflora Education Specialist, and co-host of the top floral podcast, The Business & Pleasure of Flowers. Vonda's excitement for this industry began as a 14-year-old girl sweeping the floors of a flower shop, and her ever-growing passion and dedication will continue for decades to come. 

Lori Wilson

As the Director of Community for Flower Clique, Lori brings her background of 20+ years in education and her passion for connection to our ever-changing industry. Her focus is on helping business owners lead their team with excellence, with emphasis on sales and leadership effectiveness, employee motivation, and transformative mentoring. Lori's undeniable passion for ongoing education has led to roles as a presenter and panelist at the Society of American Florists and Texas State Floral Association. She is the co-host of the top floral podcast, The Business & Pleasure of Flowers, has over ten years of experience in the floral industry, and is the mother to three wonderful children.

A native of North Carolina, Dr. Charlie Hall received a B.S. in AgriculturalEconomics from the University of Tennessee in 1984, a Master's Degree inOrnamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee in1986, and his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. He began his academic careerat Texas A&M University in 1988, where he spent 13 years on the faculty beforejoining the faculty at the University of Tennessee in 2002. In August 2007, Dr. Hallreturned to Texas A&M University as Professor and Ellison Chair inInternational Floriculture.

Dr. Hall's expertise is in the production and marketing of Green Industry crops. He isnationally recognized in academia and among the horticultural clientele he serves. His majorresearch, teaching, & extension areas of specialization include strategic management, marketsituation/outlook, cost accounting, and financial analysis for Green Industry firms.

Dr. Hall currently serves as the Chief Economist for AmericanHort and Co-Chair of theAdvisory Council of Seed Your Future. He is former President and Past-President of the board ofdirectors for America in Bloom. He received the Paul Ecke, Jr. award from the Society of AmericanFlorists for professional contributions to the floral industry and the Porter Henegar Memorial Awardfrom the Southern Nursery Association for significant contributions to ornamental horticulture researchand to the Southern Nursery Association.

He is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and hasreceived TNLA’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Nursery Industry. He is also a member ofthe Hall of Fame and Honorary Lifetime Member of the Tennessee Nursery and LandscapeAssociation. Dr. Hall has received Texas A&M University’s Association of Former Students’Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and the Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellencefor Student Counseling and Relations. He is a member of Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternityand has received their Grand Presidents Award and Brother of the Century designation. 

Paul Goodman, president of Floral Finance Business Services, Inc., in Jenks, Oklahoma., packs in audiences no matter the venue — from wholesale house back rooms to convention stages to think-tank conferences — to hear his presentations on “Controlling COGS” and “Controlling Payroll.” Goodman is the author of The Profit Minded Florist, is the editor of Teleflora's monthly publication Floral Finance and writes features for SAF’s Floral Management magazine. He created Rosebud, the forerunner to the Teleflora’s Eagle software. In 2001, the Michigan Floral Association recognized him with its National Service Award. Goodman holds an MBA from Stanford University and formerly owned a large retail shop in the Pacific Northwest. He published a book titled, “It’s Never Too Late To Finish Well.” 

Tim Huckabee, FSC, is the President and founder of FloralStrategies and a regular contributor to Floral Management magazine.

Paul Goodman, president of Floral Finance Business Services, Inc., in Jenks, Oklahoma., packs in audiences no matter the venue — from wholesale house back rooms to convention stages to think-tank conferences — to hear his presentations on “Controlling COGS” and “Controlling Payroll.” Goodman is the author of The Profit Minded Florist, is the editor of Teleflora's monthly publication Floral Finance and writes features for SAF’s Floral Management magazine. He created Rosebud, the forerunner to the Teleflora’s Eagle software. In 2001, the Michigan Floral Association recognized him with its National Service Award. Goodman holds an MBA from Stanford University and formerly owned a large retail shop in the Pacific Northwest. He published a book titled, “It’s Never Too Late To Finish Well.” 

Carly's Bio here

Glenna Hecht is an accomplished speaker, trainer, consultant, and author as well as a certified SPHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources. She has an impressive history leading HR, Training, and Engagement for major high-growth corporations such as Starbucks, The Levy Restaurants at Walt Disney, Accenture Incubator, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and Marshall Field’s. She founded Humanistic Consulting, to bring this human resource and people expertise to organizations through outsourced consulting, training, and speaking. Glenna knows a great people strategy is measured through execution and results; couple this with her “do the right thing” philosophy and you have a winning combination that has led to significant notable outcomes for her clients’ ROI.