Art Van Wingerden Announced as New American Floral Endowment Chairman
Chairman-Elect Art Van Wingerden, COO of Metrolina Greenhouses. | American Floral Endowment (AFE)
The American Floral Endowment’s (AFE) Board of Trustees has appointed Art Van Wingerden as AFE’s Chairman-Elect. Art will begin his two-year term as Chairman in September 2026, succeeding current Chairman David Garcia of Pete Garcia Company/Garcia Group. Following his term as Chairman, David will continue his service to the organization for an additional two years as Past Chairman.
As COO of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, NC, Art helps guide one of the largest greenhouse operations in the country (No. 5 on our 2025 Top 100 Growers list). Founded in 1972 and family-run, Metrolina grows and ships more than 70 million plants annually to more than 1,400 retail locations across 19 states, including Lowe’s, The Home Depot, and Walmart. Art oversees production, growing, contract growing, and labor, bringing a lifetime of hands-on experience and business perspective to the company.
Metrolina’s impact extends well beyond its production footprint. The company is widely known for supporting numerous horticulture and floral organizations through service on boards, committees, and other industry initiatives. This long-standing commitment to collaboration and sharing expertise reflects the same spirit of service Art brings to AFE.
Since joining the AFE Board of Trustees in 2018, Art has been actively engaged in advancing AFE’s mission. He has served on the Research Committee and the Executive Committee, offering practical insight and helping guide investments in projects that deliver real-world value.
Art has also been a strong supporter of AFE programs that benefit all segments of the floral industry, from growers and suppliers to wholesale and retail operations. Under his involvement, Metrolina has remained a dedicated supporter of AFE’s efforts, including participation as an annual partner of Sustainabloom, which provides research-driven sustainability education and resources for the industry.
“I’m honored to partner with AFE’s dedicated Board of Trustees, respected industry leaders, and staff as we continue advancing our mission, expanding our programs, and increasing the funding that fuels innovation and progress,” says Van Wingerden. “The research, education, and scholarships supported by AFE donors make a meaningful difference for businesses of every size, and I look forward to helping strengthen that work in the years ahead.”
“Art is a great example of an industry professional who understands the importance of giving back,” says Garcia. “He brings not only deep business experience, but also a genuine willingness and passion to share information for the good of the entire floral industry. That collaborative mindset is exactly what AFE represents.”
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