The Spanish Education Advisory Committee at AmericanHort is a dedicated group of industry professionals who play a critical role in shaping and enhancing Spanish-language educational offerings. Composed of bilingual experts and leaders from diverse sectors within the industry, the committee ensures that programming presented in Spanish remains relevant, impactful, and aligned with current workforce demands.
Members of the committee provide program feedback and assist with pilot testing. They give input on specific education needs of the industry through collaboration with the industry’s Spanish-speaking workforce, ensuring the curriculum is both practical and forward-looking.
Carlos E. Bográn, PhD, College Station, TX Carlos is Director of Technical Services for Bioworks Inc. where he leads a team of technical specialists that help growers and distributor partners develop and implement sustainable pest and disease management programs in ornamental and specialty crops. He has been involved in agriculture research and education for more than 25 years in both academia and private industry. He was an Assistant and then Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife (Texas A&M University). He was Senior Technical Manager for insecticides and fungicides at OHP Inc. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Integrated Pest Management, and as consulting editor for HortTechnology. He is a past President of the Southwestern Branch, Entomological Society of America (ESA). Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, he is a proud graduate of Zamorano University, Iowa State University, and Texas A&M University.
18 years ago, Morgan began as an interior and exterior technician for a small Plantscaping company in the Washington, D.C. area, where he honed the roots of his experience. From those early days, Morgan diligently progressed, mastering the intricacies of the interior, exterior, and holiday divisions, along with account management and a stint in sales. Now, Morgan is the Head of Interiorscape Operations and Talent Development for Oasis Plantscaping in Sterling, VA with a focus on efficiency, growth, and excellence. His contribution has been a vital force in Oasis Plantscaping’s growth from a modest five-person team to a company flourishing with over 50 employees.
Oasis Plantscaping’s Interiorscape Service Team maintains over 800 accounts, including some of the largest and most beautiful green spaces in the Nation’s Capital. Morgan is currently developing a bilingual onboarding and training program to support Spanish language access ensuring the same experience, opportunity, information, and education with a passion for providing an inclusive experience for everyone.
In addition to his managerial duties, Morgan has worked collaboratively with other industry leaders and national industry partners to promote education and raise the bar for industry standards. Joining the AmericanHort’s Interior Plantscape Community Connector Group in 2022, he now proudly sits as a leader in the group. His focus remains on fostering positive forward momentum and continuous improvement for industry and individuals alike.
Pablo Costa is a horticulture professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in greenhouse, open-field, and ornamental crop production. As Director of Operations and Growing at Van Belle Nursery Finished Plants in Abbotsford, BC, he leads diverse teams delivering exceptional plant quality to markets in Canada and the United States, while optimizing efficiencies and driving continuous improvement.
An Agronomist Engineer with postgraduate studies in seed marketing, processing, and production, Pablo blends technical expertise with strategic management skills. His career spans overseeing large-scale agricultural operations in Chile and leading international seed breeding projects with Syngenta Flowers.
In 2025, he graduated from the HRI Leadership Academy, a program developing skills to help the green industry perform better, grow faster, and prepare for the future. Fluent in English and Spanish, he is known for building strong, collaborative teams.
Ryan M. Kincaid is a senior operations executive in the payments and financial services industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Maverick Payments, where he leads operational strategy, process optimization, and team performance to drive efficiency and growth. With extensive experience in underwriting, risk management, and merchant services, he has held leadership roles across several payment processing organizations. Kincaid holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and is recognized for his expertise in operational excellence and financial services management.
Javier Lopez is Head Grower at Altman Plants in Fallbrook, California, where he oversees plant production and growing operations for one of the largest horticultural producers in the United States. In his role, he manages crop health, irrigation practices, and production teams to ensure consistent quality across large-scale nursery operations. With extensive hands-on experience in commercial growing systems, Lopez works closely with staff to improve efficiency, training, and best practices in plant production. He is passionate about supporting and developing the nursery workforce and advancing practical solutions for modern horticulture operations.
Lyndsi Oestmann is president of Loma Vista Nursery, a family legacy business founded in 1991 by her father, Mark Clear. Loma Vista Nursery produces a full line of containers and field grown plant material. Its 310-acre wholesale container production facility is located in Ottawa, Kansas, and its 650 acre in-ground tree farm is located near Lawrence, Kansas. Lyndsi and her team are active participants in the horticulture industry. She served as an AmericanHort board member from 2021-2024. In 2023, her “Leadership Playbook” column for Nursery Management magazine received a Golden Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago.
Since joining Profile Products in September 2017, Gladys has held various roles, including supporting the sales team and conducting grower trials across the U.S. and Canada. Over time, she transitioned into account and sales management. Currently serving as the Key Account Manager, she thrives on working together with growers and production teams, providing innovative solutions through advanced growing media and Controlled Release Fertilizers. Her partnerships with the remarkable professionals in the industry bring her immense joy, and she feels truly blessed to pursue her passion daily.
Before joining Profile Growing Solutions, Gladys gained valuable experience working with growers in the U.S. and Uganda across diverse crop types. She developed expertise in areas such as growing, propagation, production, post-harvest management, field and greenhouse research and management. Gladys holds a B.S. in Agronomic Engineering from EARTH University in Limón, Costa Rica, and a M.S. in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University.
Offers expansive experience (25+ years) in the horticulture industry as a scientist, educator, and outreach and engagement leader. Planned and oversaw horticultural trials, engaged in heavy research to benefit the commercial grower industry, and cultivated relationships with key stakeholders as a known resources and subject matter expert. Multilingual with fluency in English, Spanish, and Italian, and exceptional insight into the Latino / U.S. culture of the agriculture and horticulture industry. Seeking an opportunity to support a business—through technical expertise and client education—in operating in Latin America.
Juan S. Ponce graduated as an Agricultural Engineer from the National University of Colombia and currently works as the Director of Horticulture at Metrolina Greenhouses. Over his 19 years at Metrolina Greenhouses, he has introduced multiple successful pest control programs integrating biocontrol. Prior to joining Metrolina, he served as an entomology curator at the Francisco Luis Gallego Museum in Medellín, Colombia, and as a quarantine pest inspector for the government at the Colombian Agriculture Institute (ICA).
Juan has been sharing his work and experience in different events since 2016. He participated as a speaker at the 6th Annual Symposium for Professionals in the Horticulture and Landscape Industry at The Arboretum in Asheville NC. in 2022; was invited as a speaker at Plug & Cutting Conference from AmericanHort. in “Biocontrol Programs: Pushing the Limits” in Denver CO. During November of 2022, the ESA, ESC, and ESBC Annual Meeting Entomology at Vancouver. With a work of “Implementing commercial use of microbials in propagation as a part of Integrated Pest Management” and during 2023 he participated at the BioSolution Conference and Expo as a speaker presenting “Tips on Vetting New Products in a Greenhouse.”
Prof. Rosa Raudales is an Associate Professor of Horticulture and Greenhouse Extension Specialist at the University of Connecticut. Her research focuses on irrigation water management, controlled environment agriculture, and waterborne plant pathogens. She leads research and outreach programs aimed at improving water quality, irrigation system design, and sustainable practices for greenhouse crop production. She holds a Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Plant Pathology from The Ohio State University, and a B.S. from Zamorano University in Honduras.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry with Loma Vista Nursery, Alfredo Rios has built an exemplary path of growth and leadership. He began his journey with the company working in the tree farm, where he was responsible for cultivating and loading trees using specialized heavy equipment. Over the years, he has taken on various roles, including foreman, counter salesperson, product buyer, and manager of two distribution centers. In addition to his extensive operational experience, he has proven to be a leader in resource management and the maintenance of heavy equipment, overseeing more than 250 assets, including tractors, skid steers, trailers, and other essential nursery machinery.
One of his most notable achievements was successfully completing the HRI Leadership Academy, further enhancing his focus on professional development. Throughout his career, he has cultivated a deep passion for teaching and supporting other employees to help them reach their full potential in the nursery and landscaping industry. His mission is to demonstrate that with effort and dedication, it is possible to rise within the sector and achieve professional success.
Rupert Saavedra serves as the Head Grower at N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, a prominent horticultural operation with facilities in Illinois and Missouri. In his role, Saavedra oversees crop production and leads initiatives to enhance growing practices. Demonstrating a commitment to innovation, Saavedra collaborates with colleagues to address challenges in plant growth. He also advocates for inclusive education in horticulture, supporting Spanish-language training programs to better integrate and empower Spanish-speaking team members.
Dr. Carolina Torres is an Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Postharvest Systems. Her research program focus is on Washington apples, pears and cherries. Areas of research include abiotic stress and climate effect on fruit quality and storage disorders, fruit physiology and biochemistry, handling technologies, and postharvest systems to optimize fruit quality throughout the supply chain.
Gary Vogel is the Managing Partner of East Coast Nurseries, Inc., a wholesale container nursery based in Riverhead, New York. The nursery supplies a wide range of plant material—including flowering shrubs, hydrangeas, boxwood, perennials, ferns, and ornamental grasses—to garden centers and landscape professionals throughout the Northeast.
A native English speaker who is also fluent in Spanish, Vogel has developed strong connections with the Hispanic community through extensive travel in Central America and longstanding relationships with friends and colleagues from countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. At East Coast Nurseries, he works closely with a team of 65 employees, most of whom speak Spanish as their primary language.
Vogel serves as Vice President of the Long Island Nursery and Landscape Association and sits on the Advisory Committee for the Long Island Farm Bureau. In these roles, he actively advocates for greater access to Spanish-language education and resources within the green industry. Recognizing that Spanish-speaking professionals make up a significant portion of the horticulture workforce, he regularly supports and promotes programs that expand educational opportunities in Spanish. He has brought employees to industry events such as Cultivate and other regional programs that offer Spanish-language content, and he remains committed to advancing inclusive education and professional development for the industry’s diverse workforce.
El Comité Asesor de Educación en Español de AmericanHort es un grupo comprometido de profesionales hortícolas que desempeñan un papel clave en la creación y mejora del contenido educativo en español. Compuesto por expertos bilingües y líderes de diversos sectores de la horticultura, el comité se asegura de que los programas presentados en español sean relevantes, impactantes y estén alineados con las demandas actuales de la fuerza laboral.
Los miembros del comité brindan comentarios sobre los programas y colaboran en las pruebas piloto. Contribuyen con ideas sobre las necesidades educativas específicas de la industria, mediante la colaboración con la fuerza laboral hispanohablante de cada sector, asegurando que el contenido de los planes de estudio sea práctico para las necesidades actuales y esté orientado al futuro.