2024-2025 EASTERN REGION IPPS COMMITTEES

Learn what our committees do HERE. Interested in serving on a committee? Please contact us.

Area Meeting Committee

Chair: Jeff Kurtz, Spring Meadow Nursery, Grand Haven, MI

Members

  • Keith Osborne (Ont)
  • Liz Dunham (Midwest)
  • Sarah Shank (New England)
  • Kendall Kuxhouse
  • Kim Shearer
  • Tyler Easter
  • Isabel Mooney (Mid Atlantic)
  • Phil Cabassa

Finance Committee

Chair: Adam Kobes, Kobes Nursery, Ontario, CA

Members

  • Shelby French (Pres)
  • Keith Osborne
  • Bill Barnes
  • Rachel Conley
  • Savanah Tanner

Long Range Planning Committee

Chair: Mike Gates, McKay Nursery,  Waterloo, WI 

Members

  • Liz Erickson, (Past Pres)
  • Dennis Roher
  • Jessica Gulczynski
  • Ross Strasko 
  • Paul Pfiefer
  • Keith Osbourne

Membership Committee

Chair: Cathy Thomas, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

Members

  • Kyle Banas
  • Adam McClanahan
  • Ryan Butcher
  • Stephanie Hopfinger
  • Will Utech
  • Vicki Gustafson
  • Julie De Guire
  • Gladys Opiyo

Research Grant and Posters Committee

Chair: Paul Pfeifer, Hidden Lake Gardens | Michigan State University, Tipton, MI

Members

  • Shelby French (1st VP)
  • Daniel Jacobs
  • Connor Hagemeyer
  • Brandon Miller

Publicity Committee

Chair: Kyle Banas, Pizzo Native Plant Nursery, Leland, IL

Members

  • Phoebe Joyner
  • Kyra Matin
  • Claire Zuidervliet
  • Adam Kobes
  • Trevor Trevino
  • Savanah Tanner

Nominating and Recognition Committee

Chair: Matt Palmieri, Chesapeake Nursery (Past President)

Members

  • Brian Maynard, University of Rhode Island
  • Steve Castorani, North Creek Nurseries
  • Megan Mathey, Spring Meadow Nursery
  • Peggy Walsh Craig

Program Committee

Chair: Stephen Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden, Cincinnati, OH (1st Vice President)

Members

  • Ryan Butcher
  • Jack Schaefer
  • Matt Fredrickson

Staff Evaluation Committee

Chair: Shelby French, The Farm at Doe Run (President)

    Members

    • Matt Palmieri, Chesapeake Nursery, Salisbury, MD (Past President)

    • Stephen Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden, Cincinnati, OH (First Vice President)

    • Vacant (Second Vice President)

    Local Site Committee

    Chair: Paul Cappiello, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

    Members

    • Melvin Moffet Snow Hill Nursery, Shelbyville, KY
    • Kris Stone Boone County Arboretum, Union, KY
    • John Swintosky Louisville Metro Government
    • Scott Beuerlein Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
    • Steve Foltz Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
    • Stephanie Tittle Woodland Farm, Goshen, KY
    • Mary Vaananen Jelitto Perennial Seed, Louisville, KY
    • Allen Bush Jelitto Perennial Seed (retired)
    • Mary Anne Thornton Volunteer
    • Bob Geneve University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
    • Tracey Williams Greensleeves Design, Anchorage, KY
    • Win Dunwell University of Kentucky, (retired)
    • Cindy Finneseth Kentucky Horticulture Council, Frankfort, KY
    • Jeff Margreiter Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
    • Jacob Stidham Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

    International Tour Committee

    Chair: Liz Erickson, Knight Hollow Nursery, Inc. 

    Members

    • Bill Barnes
    • Matt Fredrickson 
    • Jeff Marindell
    • Bob Geneve
    • Jeff Kurtz
    • Kim Shearer
    • Cathy Thomas
    • Keith Osborne
    • Mike Gates
    • Kyle Banas
    • Savanah Tanner


    Executive Committee

    Chair: Shelby French, The Farm at Doe Run (President)

      Members

      • Stephen Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden (First Vice President)
      • Vacant (Second Vice President)
      • Matthew Palmieri, Chesapeake Nurseries (Past President)