Permanent Seats

PJ Ellison has been president of Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc. since 1996 and owner since 2000. She received her B.S. at Texas A&M University, her M.B.A. at the College of Notre Dame and completed the Stanford Executive Management Program.  Her government appointments include Brazos River Authority Board of Directors and Governor’s Task Force on Economic Development. P.J. is a member of the society of American Florist, Texas A&M Agriculture Development Council, Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leadership (TALL VII & Advisory Board) and many more. PJ is a board of trustee for the American Floral Endowment and chair of the scholarship committee.  She gives state and community support through, not limited to, historical societies, Texas Grown Program and Development – TDA, Annual Poinsettia Celebration, Brenham Independent School District, and Legislative Actions regarding Agriculture Industry.  PJ has received Greenhouse Grower of the Year 2002, Young Agriculturist of the Year 2002, Ft. Worth Star Telegram Farm and Ranch Award 1998, and Honorary Horticulture Major Texas A&M 2002.

O. Stanley Pohmer, Jr. is the founder and CEO of the Pohmer Consulting Group, focused on the Floral, Lawn & Garden, Horticulture and other perishable and seasonal industries. With over 26 years of retail and consumer experience, he brings a solutions-based, consumer-focused approach to his international consulting practice. Stan is also the Executive Director of the Flower Promotion Organization, an alliance of U.S. and Colombian growers marketing an integrated consumer-directed campaign to increase the everyday use of cut flowers. In addition to serving as Vice President of America in Bloom, Stan has served in leadership positions in the Produce Marketing Assn., the Floral Marketing Assn., the American Nursery & Landscape Assn., OFA and the Poinsettia Growers Assn. He has presented in seminars internationally and has contributed numerous articles to industry trade publications and journals. Stan was recognized as the 2005 Floral Marketer of the Year by PMA.

Kevin Norris is the president of Landmark Nurseries, Inc. He began his career with Landmark in 1992 as a salesman and shortly thereafter was made sales manager of the Coppell, TX distribution center. Kevin was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 1996 before becoming President of the company in 2002. From the time Kevin joined Landmark, the company has expanded from one wholesale nursery distribution center in Coppell and one growing facility in Kirbyville, to four additional wholesale distribution centers in Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio and three additional growing facilities in Grand Saline, Edgewood and Round Rock. Landmark’s growing operations produce trees, woody ornamentals, ground covers, annuals and perennials which are marketed solely through the distribution centers.

Attended New Mexico State University, B.S in Education, Texas Tech University, Post graduate work, Texas A & M University, Texas Master Florist, Academy of American Florists, Leadership Texas Class ’90.A former teacher, Ellen has been involved in the floriculture industry for 36 years as owner/manager of a retail florist shop and president/CEO of Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc. She is currently actively involved as manager/co-owner of Ellison’s Greenhouses/Heights.Ellen in involved in community, state, and national associations including Texas State Florists Association, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, Society of American Florists, and OFA. She is also a member of the Chancellor’s Century Council and the College of Agriculture Development Council at Texas A&M University.

Monique Hakkert is the Human Resources Director for Ball Horticultural Company.  Ball is the leading independent plant breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plant products for the worldwide market, with 3500 employees around the globe; 600 in the US.  Monique joined Ball in 2008 starting in customer service, then worked in sales and marketing and since 2018 in HR.  As Director, Monique leads the human resources function for the Ball group of companies.  She is also responsible for working with colleges to recruit interns and trainees.  Monique moved to the United States over 12 years ago from The Netherlands.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Communication from Utrecht University.

Jimmy Klepac is the President and Owner of Klepac Greenhouses, Inc. He is the 3rd generation owner of this Texas based wholesale nursery. They specialize in potted blooming crops and service grocery stores and traditional retail florists in Texas. Jimmy graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a B.S. in Agronomy. He holds one of the Permanent Seats on the Advisory Committee for the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Jimmy is a strong believer in the importance of communication and action between academia and the industry to help make the Floriculture Industry stronger both now and in the future.

Past President, Texas State Florists’ Association