Meet the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2027
HRI Leadership Academy logo. | Horticultural Research Institute
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has announced the members of the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2027. This intensive, year-long program further develops leaders across the green industry, strengthening their strategic insight, business acumen, and collaborative skills so they can lead their organizations more effectively and expand their influence within the broader industry.
“Programs like the HRI Leadership Academy are essential to further develop thoughtful, capable leaders who can guide our industry forward,” says Jennifer Gray, HRI Administrator. “We look for professionals who are already demonstrating strong leadership in their organizations and communities, and who have the curiosity and commitment to grow their influence at a broader level. This year’s class reflects that standard.”
Introducing the Class of 2027:
Bob Berbee (Leo Berbee Bulb Company – OH) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Bob Berbee (Leo Berbee Bulb Company – OH) serves as CEO of Leo Berbee Bulb Company, a third-generation family business specializing in flower bulb distribution and global supply chain operations. He previously founded and grew Dutch Mill Greenhouse before transitioning leadership to focus on the family wholesale business.
Esmeralda Carrasco (Ponderosa Cactus – AZ) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Esmeralda Carrasco (Ponderosa Cactus – AZ) serves as Chief Operating Officer , overseeing operations, staff leadership, and strategic planning with a focus on sustainable desert practices and water-smart planting. With more than 12 years of experience spanning nursery operations, landscape design, and applied research, she brings an integrated perspective to climate-responsive landscape systems in arid environments.
Jennifer Dyer (MasterTag – MI) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Jennifer Dyer (MasterTag – MI) serves as General Manager and President, leading overall business strategy, operations, team culture, and customer-focused growth initiatives. With 12 years of leadership experience at MasterTag, Jennifer previously held roles in human resources, finance, IT, commercial operations, and continuous improvement.
Andy Fields (Goodmark Nurseries – IL) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Andy Fields (Goodmark Nurseries – IL) serves as Vice President of Container Operations and IPM, leading the container division, manages operating and capital budgets, drives pricing strategy, and develops strategic plans for growing operations and IPM. Andy has advanced rapidly through roles in growing, IPM, irrigation systems, and production planning.
Carrie Hancock (JMR Landscaping – IL of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Carrie Hancock (JMR Landscaping – IL) serves as Maintenance and Enhancement Operations Manager, overseeing daily operations, scheduling, team leadership, and customer service for residential maintenance and enhancement services. With more than 25 years of experience in the landscape industry, she has built expertise in seasonal color design and production, operations management, process improvement, and team development across multiple companies. She is a dedicated industry volunteer leader, currently serving as Chair of the Women’s Network for Landscape Illinois.
Tanner Jones (Family Tree Nursery – MO) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Tanner Jones (Family Tree Nursery – MO) serves as Store Manager, leading retail operations, P&L management, marketing, and digital initiatives for a multi-site independent garden center. With 18 years of experience in garden retail, Tanner previously held leadership roles at Colonial Gardens and Helmi’s Gardens, where he drove revenue growth and operational improvements.
Javier Lopez Aguilar (Altman Plants – CA) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Javier Lopez Aguilar (Altman Plants – CA) serves as Head Grower, overseeing large-scale plant production across greenhouse, shade house, and open-field operations, leading teams in crop management, integrated pest management, resource optimization, and regulatory compliance. With more than a decade of experience in the horticulture industry, Javier previously served as Technical Service Manager at Altman Plants and earlier as a Research Scholar in Horticulture at the University of Florida.
Kelly Nicholas (Dümmen Orange – OH) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Kelly Nicholas (Dümmen Orange – OH) serves as Head of Technical Services, leading technical services and trial teams supporting growers while strengthening cross-functional collaboration with sales and production. With 22 years of experience spanning research, greenhouse production management, and technical services, Kelly previously held Head Grower and Facility Manager roles at Ball Horticultural Company and Midwest Groundcovers.
Jake Scott (Piedmont Feed and Garden Center – NC) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Jake Scott (Piedmont Feed & Garden Center – NC) serves as General Manager, overseeing all aspects of store and garden center operations, staff leadership, purchasing, inventory, marketing, and customer education programs. With 12 years of experience in the horticulture industry, Jake previously managed a U.S. Top 100 Independent Garden Center and earlier taught high school horticulture while serving as an FFA Advisor.
Lindsay Squires (Tagawa Gardens – CO) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Lindsay Squires (Tagawa Gardens – CO) serves as Community Development Manager, leading staff development, community partnerships, public events, and education programs while fostering teamwork across departments and with external organizations. With 13 years of experience at Tagawa Gardens, Lindsay began in guest services and advanced into a management team role, guiding multi-generational teams through periods of growth, crisis, and organizational change.
Abby Thompson (Acorn Farms – OH) of the HRI Leadership Class of 2027. | Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)
Abby Thompson (Acorn Farms – OH) has built a 25-year career spanning retail sales, production, logistics, and purchasing in the green industry. As Shipping Manager and Buyer of Finished Plant Material, she oversees inbound and outbound freight operations, supervises crews, manages vendor relationships, and recently stepped into management of the company’s re-wholesale yard. She has given back to the industry as President of the Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA) board and as the industry’s representative on the Ohio Department of Agriculture Invasive Plant Advisory Committee.
Applications for the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2028 will open in Fall 2026. To learn more about the program, eligibility, and the application process, visit www.hrileadershipacademy.org.
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