WUMFA Annual Convention

2024 Annual Convention Presenters

Ace Berry AIFD, CFD, PFCI, TMF

Ace Berry, AIFD, is one of the most recognizable faces in today’s floral design field, especially when his beard is adorned with flowers.  He is part of the Inspired Design Retreat Team with good friend and colleague Patience Pickner, AIFD, and was named Floral Designer of the Year in Houston in 2017. Named Texas Designer of the Year in 2019, he is also a certified judge and valuator.

Tim Farrell AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

Tim Farrell AIFD, AAF, PFCI is an accomplished floral designer, known throughout the United States for his creations of beautiful floral compositions. His understanding and ability to teach the elements and principles of floral design make him a sought-after presenter for garden clubs, horticultural schools, and retail florist organizations throughout the country.

He opened Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, PA in 1983, while attending Villanova and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting 1984. was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2000 and served as President from 2014-2015. He is also a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI) as well as the World Flower Council. Tim was honored as the recipient of the Award of Distinguished Service to the floral Industry by AIFD at their annual Symposium in Seattle WA in July 2017. Most recently, in July 2023 Tim was honored by being named Fellow to AIFD with the Award of Distinguished Service, one of the highest honors in the world of floral design. In September of 2023, Tim was presented the Tommy Bright Award by the Society of American Florists for lifetime achievement in floral presentations. In addition to his duties at Farrell’s Florist, Tim also serves as Education Team Senior Advisor and Industry Ambassador for Teleflora in Los Angeles CA. helping to present and coordinate educational events for retail florists across the USA.

Jackey Lacey AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

Jackie Lacey has over thirty-five years of experience in the retail floral market and floral education field. His portfolio includes an extensive background in the retail floral market and wedding/event design experience. Jackie now utilizes his experience to provide education and instructional design programs, market showroom set up, private retail consulting, product development as well as design and event planning. His current position as Director of Education and Industry Relations with Floriology, BloomNet and Napco and Senior Design Team Specialist and Senior Editor for Floriology Magazine keep him on top of market trends, current design trends, industry education and retail marketing.

 

Jackie has won numerous awards in floral design competitions in both multi state, national and local floral associations. Published articles have appeared on both his expertise and floral experience. His work has been published in Floriology Magazine, SAF, “Flowers &”, “Modern Bride”, “Inside Weddings” and many others. National Television exposure includes designing and participation for WE TV programs “Platinum Weddings” and “I Do Over” as a Celebrations.Com Floral Expert. Previous work for celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane, Cheryl Ladd, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio have come easily through participation with floral design on several major motion pictures.

Continuing education through numerous stage presentations for multi–state Associations and national industry leaders such as SAF, AFE, Virgin Farms Direct, Smithers-Oasis, BloomNet, FTD, Fitz Design Team, Floral Strategies and John Henry Company allow Jackie to help the continued growth of the floral industry. Experience in floral design for the Tournament of Roses Parade floats, product development team for the largest Import/Export show in the world and set up and design for Gift Market showrooms only adds to the vast floral experience he can call on for every event.

He has served as a leader in numerous industry associations to include his current position as 2023-2025 Past President of FSFA International, AFE Trustee and board member. His previous positions include 2019-2021 AIFD National President, 2011-2022 AIFD National BOD, and he has served on numerous AIFD committees and previous member of the AIFD Southern Regional Board. Recipient of the 2023 FSFAI Humanitarian Award, 2021 FSFAI Lifetime Achievement Award, 2021 AIFD Special Award of Dedication, 2022 AIFD Special Award of Recognition, and 2022 GLFA National Service Award. Jackie’s extensive travels across the country, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, and Europe afford many opportunities for him to interact with designers of all levels and share this extensive background and experience to florists everywhere.

Chris and Jamie Lukes

Alan Masters AIFD, CFD, PFCI

G. Alan Masters AIFD PFCI CFD has been designing for 39 years beginning when he was a junior in high school. Starting at a small hometown florist in Lufkin Texas, he was inspired by Theresa McNeese to become the best and hone his God given talent and skills. When prodded into attending an educational program in Houston by his then employer, Past President of TSFA Debbie Gordy AIFD, Alan realized there was much more to the floral industry than he had previously understood. In 2013, Alan began competing in design competitions starting with The Texas Cup competition held in Mesquite Texas at the Texas State Florist Convention and placed second. In February of 2014 he competed in the Rodeo Cup at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and again placed second, this time out of forty. Fulfilling a lifetime dream and became a member of AIFD in July 2015. He is the 2015 Houston Cup (Designer of the Year) winner, the 2016 Texas Designer of the Year and the 2016 NAFA Designer of the Year, winner of the Inaugural Jim Johnson cup and the 2017 Louisiana Designer of the Year. In February of 2017 Alan was invited to design in the Rotunda at the Texas State Capital building along with five other designers each interpreting one of the six flags that have flown over the state of Texas. He currently serves on the Teleflora South Texas Unit Board and President Elect of the South-Central Regional Chapter of AIFD. Alan currently teaches floral design to ninth through twelfth grade students at the Career and Technical High School in Pasadena Texas. He also travels and teaches at state conventions, garden clubs and wholesale shows around the United States.

Jacob McCall AAF, AIFD, CFD, FSMD, PFCI

Jacob McCall began his career in the floral industry more than 20 years ago. Over the years, he has worked in a retail flower shop, consulted on product design and development, and traveled throughout North and South America educating consumers and his peers. Jacob is known for his cutting-edge trends and color expertise.

No stranger to the world of floral design competition, Jacob represented the United States at the 2015 Interflora World Cup in Berlin, Germany, competing against 25 other countries. In 2019, he was a member of the Technical Committee for the 2019 FTD World Cup in Philadelphia, PA. In 2014, he won the coveted Sylvia Cup at the Society of American Florists (SAF) Convention. Jacob also won the Sunshine Cup at the Florida State Florists’ Association Convention in 2013. Competing against nine countries, he represented the United States in the 2011 Gateway to the Americas Cup in Brazil, where he took first runner up. Prior to that, Jacob won the Iron Designer Competition at the International Floriculture Expo for two consecutive years – 2011 and 2010.

In 2022, Jacob was inducted into Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI), the American Academy of Floriculture in 2012 (AAF), and the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2010.

Jacob was featured on the hit television show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? on the Style network. He has designed floral creations for celebrities including Tiger Woods, Grant Hill, Diana Ross and Jessica Simpson. Jacob was also selected to design the Christmas décor for the famous Peabody Hotel and the renowned Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, FL. Jacob’s enthusiasm for the floral industry is infectious, and his Southern charm adds to his down-home approach to sharing his talent with his peers.

Taylor Miller

Taylor Miller of Miller Highlights has been in the marketing industry for 7 years and continues to see a shift in the digital marketing world. She will show you the importance of staying present on social media, how to utilize email marketing to target your clients, and how video can be an effective tool to get organic followers. She is here to help you bring your vision to life and grow your business to the next level.

Derrick P. Myers, CPA, CFP

Derrick is president of Crockett, Myers, and Associates, specializing in guiding businesses and individuals toward their financial goals. Over the past 35+ years he has established strategies unique to the floral industry. He shares these techniques during his coaching sessions as well as through his seminars. These techniques focus on helping florists reduce costs, manage staff, save taxes, and run a more profitable business.

Kelsey Thompson AIFD, CFD

Kelsey Thompson, AIFD is a retail florist, marketing nerd, award winning designer, life-long learner, and educator. Along with running her shop Bloom Floral + Home Studio in Algona, IA, Kelsey provides marketing content and business education through her online business, Petals and Profits as well as her podcast, The Retail Florist. She has a passion for helping small to midsize florists streamline their systems and pursue their passions.

Derek Woodruff AAF, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI

Derek joined the floral industry at the age of 16 where he began learning floral design in vocational school and working for a local florist. Since then, he has continued to study through institutes such as Michigan State University, the Great Lakes Floral Association, and the American Institute of Floral Designers. In 2008 he launched his own business, Floral Underground. Derek is a captivating speaker who specializes in “today’s consumer” connecting and engaging them through different types of media including demonstrations, subscription services and hands-on workshops. In addition to being an educator, Derek is considered a “National Floral Design Champion” spending many years polishing the practice of live floral design competition. This love of competition has won him numerous awards, including the GLFA’s Chuck Bannow Award and Designer of the Year (twice), AIFD’s Bobbi Cup (Thrice), second runner-up on a national television floral design competition reality show called: “The Arrangement”, and is the 2016 Sylvia Cup Design Competition Champion.