PRESIDENT OF AIFD® 1983-1984
by Janet Black AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AAF, mmfd
Recently, there was a Facebook post picture of Tom Powell AIFD and Frankie Sheldon AIFD, with a comment; it’s too bad younger members might not know Tom. This has inspired my history article Getting to know, Thomas Powell AIFD.
Tom, was inducted into AIFD® in 1977 and attended his first symposium in 1978. In 1980 he was co-chairman of the symposium in Washington DC with David Hope AIFD. Within three years in 1983, he co-chaired a second symposium, “New Forces In Design” in the capital again with David. He served two terms as treasurer and one year as Vice President prior to being elected President.
Tom presented design programs at National Symposiums, as well as three Regional Symposiums. He served as official floral consultant to the 1985 Reagan Inaugural and was instrumental in making this a joint SAF-AIFD undertaking. In 1986 he coordinated all the floral decorations for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, again making it an AIFD project. The 1989 Bush Inaugural, Tom was design co-chairman, coordinating AIFD participation in this SAF project.
Tom was a Vice Chairman of the AIFD Foundation, Chairman of the 1990 Floral Industry AIDS Benefit, and served as a trustee of AAF. He always was a big supporter of the industry and especially AIFD®. Always interested in the latest trends and active doing design shows.
One of the most interesting accomplishments was representing the United States in an International design competition in the Soviet Union. In 1988 Tom was inducted into the College of Fellows of AIFD®.
