Student working with plants

Advisory Board

Full-time Horticulture faculty and staff at College of DuPage meet periodically with an advisory board made up of business professionals from many areas of the horticultural industry. Members of the Horticulture Program Advisory Board provide valuable input and feedback regarding the skills necessary for success in the industry. They also assist in the ongoing evaluation of COD’s Horticulture courses, certificates, and degrees programs. This evaluation helps to maintain the quality and professional relevance of the Horticulture program.

  • Luke Allen, District 2 FCAE Program Advisor, FCAE Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education
  • Tom Anderson, Dual Credit/Biology Teacher, Geneva High School
  • Frank Balestri, Assistant Professor, Horticulture, College of DuPage
  • Marty Bartz, Horticulture Lab Assistant. College of DuPage
  • Beverly Carlson, Horticulture Program Support Specialist, College of DuPage
  • Dino Castino, Sales Manager, Russo Power Equipment
  • Joe Christian, Senior Client Representative/Alumni, Premier Service/Premier Landscape Contractors
  • Brian Clement, Program Chair and Associate Professor of Horticulture, College of DuPage
  • Dr. Silvia Donatelli, Counselor, College of DuPage
  • Kristen Eubanks, Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Rolling Meadows High School
  • Klaudia, Farmas, Student Representative, Horticulture Dept. Student COD, Hort Club President
  • Andy Fick, President and Owner, Wilson Nurseries
  • Michael Fumagalli, Dual Credit/Teaching/Learning Coordinator, Glenbard District 87
  • Austin Gimondo, Assistant Professor of Horticulture, College of DuPage
  • Jessica Glow, Dual Credit/Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Reavis High School
  • Kevin Goss, Golf Course Superintendent, Sugar Creek Golf Course
  • Scott Grams, Executive Director, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association
  • Andrea Grossart, Dual Credit/Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Addison Trail High School
  • Eric Gundersen, Nursery Manager, The Growing Place
  • Amy Hull, Greenhouse Supervisor, College of DuPage
  • Dawn Ingram, Dual Credit/Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Naperville North High School
  • Kyle Kowalski, Dual Credit/Small Engines Instructor, York High School 
  • David Krodel, Dual Credit/Hort Teacher East, Glenbard District 87
  • Jason Lesatz, Dual Credit/Biology Teacher, Geneva High School
  • Shannon McEnerny, Product Manager, Midwest Ground Covers
  • Jeremy Meisinger, Dual Credit/Science Teacher West, Glenbard District 87
  • John Metzler, Dual Credit/Hort Teacher West, Glenbard District 87
  • Joshua Nabasny, Dual Credit/Small Engines Teacher/FFA Advisor, Lyons Township High School
  • Kara Norton, Executive Director, DuPage County Farm Bureau
  • Kyle Nugent, Dual Credit/Science Teacher West, Glenbard District 87
  • Teresa Orlow, Dual Credit/Hort Teacher North, Glenbard District 87
  • Joe Pizzuto, Owner/Landscape Architect, Landworks, LTD
  • Sean Rauen, Dual Credit/Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Naperville Central High School
  • Miles Richie, Dual Credit/Hort Teacher East, Glenbard District 87
  • Nicholas Scipione, Dual Credit/Science Department Chair, East, Glenbard District 87
  • Brandon Smith-Natraj, Assistant Professor, Horticulture, College of Dupage
  • Corrine Stieglitz, Dual Credit/Biology Teacher/FFA Advisor, West Chicago Community High School
  • Jamie Viebach, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
  • Denise Walden, Company Owner, Horticulture Adjunct Faculty, Walden Floral Design Company
  • Teri Wood, Executive Director, The Garden Works Project
  • Sonia, Antolec, Chief Legal Officer, The 1937 Group
  • Brian Barrett, General Counsel, Hesperides Garden, LLC, Business Law, Adjunct Faculty
  • Meliss Boyce, Lab Agent, Cresco Labs
  • Brian Clement, Program Chair and Associate Professor of Horticulture, College of DuPage
  • Michelle, Dean, Production Consultant, Imperial Products, LLC, Business, Adjunct Faculty
  • Dr, Silvia Donatelli, Counselor, College of DuPage
  • Dr. Bid Hermant, Program Director of the Medical Cannabis Therapeutics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Horticulture, Adjunct Faculty
  • Ray Osomolski, Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Hemp & Seed Company
  • Sandy Serna, Chief Executive Officer, Founder, HIgh Roller Horticulture Services
  • Dr. Joe Sheehan, Owner, Kerry Farms
  • Brandon Smith-Nataraj, Assistant Professor, Horticulture, College of Dupage
  • Shannon Toler, Program Chair and Professor of Business, College of DuPage
  • Talvin White, Chief Executive Officer, canAFarm Dispensary