Committees & Task Forces

If you have an interest in volunteering for any GWA committee, task force or special project, please contact the GWA office at [email protected].

Governance
Board of Directors	Kirk Brown, Chair
Executive Committee	Kirk Brown, Chair
Finance Committee	Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Chair
Nominations Committee	Larry Hodgson, Chair
Honors & Awards
Honors Committee	The Honors Committee is responsible for reviewing and selecting nominees for GWA Honors annually. Learn more Irene Virag, Chair
Media Awards Committee	The Media Awards Committee is responsible for planning, managing and judging the annual GWA Media Awards. Learn more Ellen Zachos, Chair
Communications
Communications Committee	The Communications Committee is responsible for developing and overseeing GWA's overall external and internal communications strategy. Learn more Maree Gaetani & Jessica Walliser, Co-Chairs
On the QT Newsletter Editorial Board	The On the QT Editorial Board is responsible for the management and content developement of On the QT, GWA's bi-monthly newletter. Each issue includes member profiles, regional news, upcoming events, specialized columns and industry developments. Learn more Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Editor
GWAGrows Blog Editorial Board	The GWAGrows Blog Editorial Board is responsible for the management and content developement of GWAGrows, GWA's blog. Posts are published weekly and focus on industry news, experiences and advice. Learn more Ann McCormick, Editor
Education
Education Committee	The Education Committee is resposbile for developing and selecting all educational programming for GWA throughout the year. The committee is chaired by the GWA vice president. Learn more Becky Heath, Chair
Annual Conference Program Committee	The Program Committee is responsible for developing and selecting all educational programming for the Annual Conference & Expo. The committee is chaired by the GWA vice president, who also serves as chair of the Education Committee. Additional committee members include the president, executive director, Local Arrangements Committee chair, but can be expanded to include more members. Learn more Becky Heath, Chair
Annual Conference Local Arrangements Committee	Local Arrangements Committee is responsilbe for recommending and organizing local events and tour venues at each Annual Conference & Expo. The Local Arrangements Committee chair rotates on an annual basis and in appointed by the Board of Directors, based on the Annual Conference Proposal for that given year. Additional committee members include the president, vice president, executive director and local representatives from the host location. Learn more Sally Cunningham, Chair
Membership
Membership Committee	The Membership Committee is responsilbe for developing strategies to increase member recruitement, retention and engagement. Learn more Randy Schultz, Chair
Association Outreach Committee	The Association Outreach Committee is responsible for expanding GWA’s awareness of other green industry associations nationally and internationally and to have those same organizations become more aware of GWA, its members and their services. This committee determines opportunities for improved skills, employment, and/or connection for GWA members and to advance GWA corporate initiatives beyond internal communication. Additionally, this committee organizes members and/or staff to attend any of the major green industry events to investigate future potential for allied industry connections, including potential exhibitors, sponsors and allied members. Learn more Diane Blazek & Maria Zampini, Co-Chairs
Sustainability Committee	The Sustainability Committee is focused on encouraging sustainability by promoting environmentally healthy and sound garden practices and awareness of nature-friendly garden practices and products to the GWA community. The committee also over sees the Permaculture Subcommittee, co-chaired by Debra Knapke and Sabrena Schweyer. Learn more Lois DeVries, Chair
Sponsorship Committee	The Sponsorship Committee is primarily responsible for securing Annual Conference & Expo exhibitors and sponsors, but may also assist with the recruitment of allied members and the creation of other potential opportunities for partner organizations. Learn more Katie Elzer-Peters, Chair