2024 Design Presenters
Renowned Florists, Award-Winning Designers and Television Superstars.
Learn more about the star-studded roster of design presenters who will be sharing their knowledge & experience with you at the GLFEE.
Ace Berry
AIFD, PFCI, TMF
Ace Berry, AIFD, 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. Behind the spotlight that has brought Ace to the
forefront as a runner-up in HBOmax’s Full Bloom is a humble and creative genius. With a
signature for vibrant colors and uplifting passion, Ace Berry was once working in the oil fields in
Texas before finding his true passion—flowers. Since then, he has been inducted into the
American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), earned his accreditation to Professional Floral
Communicators International (PFCI), and received his Texas Master Florist (TMF).
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. He brings a renewed energy to the field and
has a pay it forward mentality in his design work.
Doug Bates
AIFD, CF
Doug Bates AIFD, CF
Owner and lead designer for Designs By Vogt’s in Sturgis, MI, Doug has received numerous awards in the floral industry, including the Michigan Designer of the Year 2012, Young Person of the Year 2013 and as this years (2021) Design Academy winner.
Doug was inducted into The American Institute of Floral De- signers (AIFD) in 2015 and is often seen volunteering his time and talents at AIFD’s annual Symposium. Doug enjoys sharing his experience and talents in work- shops and stage presentations for local and regional floral events.
Deborah De La Flor
AIFD, PFCI
Deborah De La Flor AIFD, PFCI
Deborah’s talent, innovative style and passion for flowers have made her a world-renowned
floral designer. For more than 30 years, she has traveled the world, sharing her love for the
floral industry through design presentations, seminars, competitions and commentary.
Deborah’s ability to anticipate and influence the latest floral trends has led to her consulting for
some of the biggest names in the floral industry. Her vast knowledge, down-to-earth demeanor
and infectious enthusiasm make her a sought-after presenter for floral industry events. She is
also the author of the floral design book Florsages: The Art of Floral Body Design.
Her accolades are numerous and include Florida State Designer of the Year, winner of the FTD
Great Masters design competition and the 2022 recipient of the AIFD Distinguished Service to
the Floral Industry. Deborah had the privilege to represent the United States and compete at
the Interflora World Cup in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. Most recently, Deborah was a Jury
member for the 2023 Interflora World Cup in Manchester, England. She was also a Jury
member for the 2019 FTD World Cup in Philadelphia, PA, as well as the 2015 Interflora World
Cup in Berlin, Germany. Deborah also had the honor of serving as a Judge/Jury for the 2019
World Flower Art Contest during the International Horticulture Exhibition in Beijing, China.
Deborah was inducted into the Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI) in 2006
and the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 1996. She has owned De La
Flor Florist & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale, FL for more than 30 years.
Alejandro Figueira Fernandes
AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Alejandro Figueira Fernandes AIFD, CFD, PFCI
A member accredited, Certified Floral Designer and Certified Floral Evaluator/Judge by
'American Institute of Floral Designers', current student from EMC program 'European Master
Certification' and Ikenobo Ikebana Society of South Florida. Alejandro is a contestant of the
most important Floral Cups across the United States, awarded in several of them, occupying
the first places.
Alejandro participated in the Interflora World Cup 2023 in the city of Manchester, United
Kingdom, representing his native country Venezuela, currently ranking among the top 20 floral
designers in the world.
He is part of the team of Floral Instructors for the development of the online
educational platform under the name Floriology NOW belonging to the Floriology Institute
located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Alejandro all of the floral industry and his passion is education. He enjoys
sharing his knowledge, he is a highly sought after floral programs presenter and educator.
Born and raised in Caracas-Venezuela, Alejandro Figueira was exposed from early on to
Nature´s Beauty. Alejandro was brought up between families who owned well-known
landscaping companies, that led him to developed a passion for the used of nature in a artistic
context.
Cara Knapp
CF
Cara Knapp CF
Cara Knapp is an award-winning Certified Florist working locally at Kennedy’s Flowers and Gifts.
Cara started working with flowers at 18 years old and has grown her skill set exponentially in
the few years she has been designing. Her unique color combinations, use of texture and
dimension are all aspects that make her the queen of hand-tied bouquets.
Jackie Lacey
AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CFD
Jackie Lacey AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CFD
Jackie Lacey has over 35 years of experience. His portfolio includes an extensive background in the retail floral market and wedding/event design experience.
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 multi state, national and local floral associations. 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 through participation with floral design on several major motion pictures. Continuing education through numerous stage presentations for multi–state Associations and national industry leaders allow Jackie to help the continued growth of the floral industry.
He has served as a leader in numerous industry associations and was the recipient of the 2021 FSFA Lifetime Achievement Award, AIFD 2021 Special Award of Dedication, AIFD 2022 Special Award of Recognition, and 2022 GLFA National Service Award. Jackie’s extensive travels across the world afford many opportunities to interact with designers of all levels and share this extensive background and experience to florists everywhere.
Jerome Raska
AAF, AIFD, CF. CFD, PFCI
Jerome Raska AAF, AIFD, CF. CFD, PFCI
The co-owner of three retail floral and event operations in Metro Detroit. In the floral industry for over 30 years, he shares his experiences as a Teleflora Education Specialist with florists, garden clubs, and suppliers across the country.
He was a past president of the Great Lakes Floral Association and has served the floral industry in many different capacities through SAF and AIFD.
Sandy Schroeck
AIFD, PFCI, CFD
Sandy Schroeck AIFD, PFCI, CFD
As the owner of Trend On Design, in Eden Prairie, Minn., Schroeck lives by the mantra “educate,
inspire, influence” and it shows. She thrives on the energy of a crowd, and she’s passionate
about introducing even seasoned floral professionals to new products, creative mechanics and
design techniques to become more innovative and profitable designers.
Sandy Schroeck is an award winning designer, trend watcher and international educator with
extensive experience in the floral industry. Having gained professional retail and wholesale
experience during her career, Sandy has a unique perspective for the promotion of successful
floral and gift businesses. She is currently on the design teams for Floriology Institute and
Smithers Oasis presenting education programs across the country.
With a strong belief of excellence in design, Sandy is a member of American Institute of Floral
Design. Sandy has lead the AIFD national membership committee and is an AIFD certified
evaluator. She will be the chairperson for the International AIFD 2020 Vision Symposium held
in Chicago. Sandy is also certified by the Professional Floral Commentators International. In
2015 she won the prestigious North Central AIFD Bobbi Cup.
Sandy uses her design expertise and passion to convert consumer and color trends into floral
sales and with the knowledge that continuing education and a willingness to change are the
keys for success.
Michelle Soupley
AIFD, CFD
Michelle Soupley AIFD, CFD
Michelle Soupley AIFD is a designer at Banner Flower House in Kokomo, IN, she has been
working with flowers since her high school days. Michelle is a member of the American
Institute of Floral Designers. Her first love in the floral industry is weddings, from forming
relationships with the brides to executing the final product.
Andrew Stinson
AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Andrew Stinson, AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Andrew has always been a creative soul, from a very young age. He loves artistic crafts, theater,
and music. A part-time job in a flower shop during high school sparked his love for floral design and
eventually lead to his family to help him open a small shop in his hometown of Ramseur, North Carolina
in 2000.
In November of 2012, Andrew started his own event design company: WAS Design Works.
Today, Andrew travels extensively and is part of several design teams that specialize in special events,
weddings, commercial holiday installation, showroom design and merchandising and is on the design
team for NAPCO, based in Jacksonville, FL. Winner of several design competitions, Andrew has honed his
talents by competing and learning through critiques and judging. A two-time South Carolina Designer of
the Year (2005 & 2009) and two-time Palmetto Cup winner (2012 & 2016). Andrew also has the prestige
of being the last Designer of the Year winner for the Southern Retail Florist Association in 2010 before
they disbanded.
He has recently been the Designer of Year (2021) for the Florida State Florists Assoc.
and ranked 6 th in the international Gateway to the Americas Cup (2022)
He was inducted into AIFD in 2018. Andrew strives to make his mission one that is focused first
and foremost on continuing education opportunities for the floral industry.
Cindy Tole
AIFD, CFD
Cindy Tole AIFD, CFD
Cindy Tole is the owner of Botanica Flowers & Gifts in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a
third- generation florist. Her grandparents, then her parents, now retired, owned the original
family flower shop in Poland, Ohio.
With over forty years of floral industry experience, Cindy’s education in design began with art
classes in high school and college. To further her education in contemporary floral design, she
attended the American Floral Arts School in Chicago, the Phil Rulloda School of Floral Design in
Phoenix, Gregor Lersch’s “Forward Reflections” in Asheville, North Carolina, and Teleflora’s
Commentating School.
An active participant of state and local florist associations, Cindy is Past President of the
Greensboro Triad Florist Association, has served as President, Vice President and Secretary of
Teleflora’s North Carolina Unit and is a past president of the North Carolina State Florists
Association.
Cindy has designed on numerous panels and educational programs around the country,
including the Southern Retail Florist Association, Georgia State, Alabama State, Michigan Floral
Association, South Dakota Florists’ Association, the Ohio Short Course and Kentucky Florists Association. An innovative designer, her talents are sought after by many industry vendors and
suppliers to create floral displays at trade fairs across the country.
A member of Teleflora’s prestigious design team, Cindy has won several state and local
competitions, including Teleflora’s National Design America and third place in “Teleflor
International Design” competition in Athens, Greece. Cindy was inducted into AIFD in July 2016.
She is a proud member of the Teleflora Education Specialist team.
Lisa VanderMeer
CF
Lisa VanderMeer CF
Lisa VanderMeer CF has been part of the floral industry for 22 years with much of that time
spent specializing in wedding and special events. Lisa has spent the last 16 years working at
Ludema’s Floral and Garden as a lead designer on the Special Events Team. She was the 2018
Great Lakes Floral Association Designer of the Year and Chuck Bannow award recipient. Lisa
loves being part of the floral community and is delighted to be able to pass on her knowledge
and experience to others.
Rene Van Rems
AIFD, CFD
Rene Van Rems AIFD, CFD
Rene Van Rems, originally from Amsterdam, Holland, is a world renowned and multiple-award
winning ambassador of the floral industry. Formally educated in the entire spectrum of
horticulture and floriculture at the famous Aalsmeer Institute he has led design shows,
workshops, master classes and he was instrumental in the marketing of California flowers as
Director of Promotions for the California Cut Flower Commission. He has delivered keynote
presentations and programs in all of the US, Canada, Europe, South and Central America, and
Asia. Rene is a long-time Emeritus member of the American Institute of Floral Designers, (AIFD),
and has received several of their highest awards. His product development projects and
consulting work take him from his design studio in Carlsbad, California to work with bouquet
assembly companies and hard-goods producers. Rene is currently the Creative Director of
Exhibits for the San Diego Botanic Garden. He resides in Encinitas, California.
Derek Woodruff
AAF, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI
Derek Woodruff AAF, AIFD, CFD, CF, 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 as continued to study the
trade through institutes such as Michigan State University,
the Great Lakes Floral Association (GLFA), and the
American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
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 with both plants and flowers.
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 in the
industry, including the GLFA's Chuck Bannow Award and
Designer of the Year (twice), AIFD's Bobbi Cup (Thrice),
Chicago’s Best in Blooms Competition, second runner-up on
a national television floral design competition reality show
called: "The Arrangement", is the 2016 Sylvia Cup Design
Competition Champion and was the runner-up in the 2018
FTD America’s Cup Competition.