Get to know the President- Highlights during Presidency
Holly grew up in California and graduated from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. There, she earned a degree in Horticulture with a concentration in Floriculture and worked on a Masters Degree in Agriculture Education. Holly has been a floral educator for over thirty five years at the City College of San Francisco; Department Chair for Environmental Horticulture and Floristry and currently the Floristry Program Coordinator.
Holly’s floral talent has been featured in design publications such as World Flower Artist, International Floral Art 06/07 and International Floral Art 08/09, Florist Review, Flowers& and numerous national and local magazines and newspaper articles. She was also the author of Glorious Weddings and was a co-author of Encyclpflora, a twelve book series produced by Teleflora’s educational team. Additionally, Holly has taught and designed for the Teleflora Education Specialist Team, been a creative consultant to the Knud Nielsen Company, presented programs for the Society of English Floristry, New York Botanical Gardens and has taught classes in Canada, the Caribbean and Europe.
She was inducted into AIFD 1985 in San Antonio, Texas and was elected to the National Board of Directors in 1987. That same year, the National Symposium took place in San Francisco, California with Bill Taylor AIFD serving as chairman. Holly presented her first, of many, design programs. The program was titled “Designing Woman” along with Holly; the program featured the creative works by Marie Ackerman AIFD, Leah Jacobsen AIFD, Reni Moser AIFD, Setsuko Imoda AIFD and Kathy Whalen AIFD. The Symposium had record attendance and offered a view of a changing industry.
Holly’s year as President contained some significant changes. The organization had reached a point where many of its original goals had been realized. The question posed to the National Board was “where do we, as an organization, go from here?” With that question in my mind, Holly began the first strategic planning seminar for the Executive Board and key leaders in the association. Conducted in Baltimore, Maryland the group spent two days reviewing the past, current and future of AIFD. Specific goals were set, one of which was how to increase the value of membership to both the associates and the floral business. Another significant beginning started that same year, when Holly began working singularly on an infant version of what today is The AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, and Traditions.
In 1993 the Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD was given to Rocky Pollitz AIFD for her extraordinary service to the Institute. Rocky traveled extensively to Japan, Australia and was very active in International Design Shows promoting AIFD around the world. Thomas Powell AIFD received the Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry. Tom made significant contributions to AIFD, helping to involve Society of American Florists (SAF) during the Reagan Inaugural and presented many design shows for Symposia. He was a visionary of floral trends. Two recipients were given the Award of Merit-Non Industry. The Museum Society Aux. was recognized for their contributions to floral art and Victoria Magazine was recognized for their creative and attractive use of fresh flowers. The third Award of Design Influence was bestowed on Gregor Lersch for his unique style and floral artistry that impacted floral design around the world.
Holly has been a floral educator for nearly 35 years at City College of San Francisco. During her tenure she has served fifteen years as Department Chair of Environmental Horticulture and Floristry and is currently the Floristry Program Coordinator. Holly is dedicated to teaching practices and her motto is “learn by doing with style and innovation.” Throughout her many years at City College, the SAIFD Menzies Chapter has received the highest honors in national and local competitions with many students going on to become successful floral artists and garden center operators.
Holly became an AIFD Fellow in 2003 with David Hope AIFD, the same year both demonstrated extraordinary service to AIFD, upholding its goals and supporting its activities.
