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Leadership doesn’t always come with a certain title or number of years in the business. Sometimes, it’s the person who steps forward with a new idea. The one who brings others along, gives back to the industry or community, mentors the next generation or takes on greater responsibility when there is work to be done. Those are the leaders TNLA wants to recognize through the TNLA Young Leader Award. Established in 1996, the award recognizes young professionals for outstanding achievement and service to the Texas Green Industry, with special consideration given to involvement in TNLA and the community. And if you’re wondering what that kind of leadership can look like, our 2025 recipients offer two very different examples. Leadership That Creates Opportunities for OthersLauren Kirchner, President of Spring Creek Growers, has spent years growing within her family’s Waller, Texas, business from Sales and Marketing Director to President.
For Lauren, receiving the Young Leader Award represented something larger than individual recognition. “Winning the Young Leader Award as a woman in horticulture is an incredible honor. It reflects not only my own journey, but also the growing recognition of the vital role women play in shaping the future of this field.” She hopes that recognition encourages other women to pursue careers and leadership opportunities in horticulture with confidence. And her focus reaches even further ahead. “For me, it’s also about inspiring the next generation, teaching children the value of horticulture and showing them that their ideas and passion can help shape a more beautiful future.” Leadership That Builds MomentumOur other 2025 recipient, Matthew Hogue, President & CEO of Hogue Landscape Services, demonstrates another side of young leadership.
For Matt, the Young Leader Award wasn't an endpoint. It was motivation to keep going. “For me, winning the Young Leader Award was more than an honor — it was a spark. It reminded me that our industry thrives when we’re willing to innovate, mentor, and set bold goals.” He also pointed to something important about leadership: its impact extends beyond the individual. “The recognition gave me fresh energy to keep building teams, serving clients, and giving back through TNLA programs and in my local community.” Young Leadership Doesn't Look Just One WayLauren and Matt have different stories. And that's the point. A Young Leader nominee doesn't need to follow one particular career path or hold one particular job title. Look around your company, your TNLA Region and the professionals you work alongside.
Help Us Recognize the Next Young LeaderNominees must be under age 41 at the time of nomination and must own or be employed by a TNLA Member firm, or be a TNLA Member. Nominees should demonstrate outstanding leadership in the Texas Green Industry.
Any owner or employee of a TNLA Member firm, or a TNLA Member, is encouraged to submit a nomination. The nomination gives you an opportunity to tell us about the individual's contributions to TNLA, their business and their community and why you believe their leadership deserves to be recognized. Nominations close October 31, 2026.
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From student volunteer to business owner and Region V State Director, Rachel Shelton’s story shows how getting involved can shape a career, strengthen a community and open the door to new possibilities.  From her earliest TNLA experiences as a student to her new role on the TNLA Board of Directors, Rachel Shelton’s career has been shaped by one important choice: getting involved. Today, Rachel is the owner of 573 Flower Farm and the 2026–2027 TNLA Region V State Director. Long before becoming a business owner or board leader, however, she was building relationships through TNLA, volunteering at Nursery/Landscape EXPO and learning from people across the green industry. Over the years, Rachel has participated in TNLA’s Leadership Boot Camp, supported Women in Horticulture and received the 2023 Young Leader Award. Each experience has given her opportunities to learn, serve and grow, both personally and professionally. Her story reflects what it means to be rooted in something bigger: belonging to an industry community where people share knowledge, encourage one another and help create opportunities for the next generation. You participated in TNLA’s Leadership Boot Camp early in your career. Are there any lessons you still carry with you today? The development I gained through Leadership Boot Camp still resonates with me today. You aren’t only learning how to grow your business, you’re learning how to grow yourself and the people around you. After years with a longtime TNLA member company, you recently took the exciting step of launching your own business. What inspired you to take that leap? My husband’s unwavering support and willingness to be up for anything helped bring this dream to life and grow 573 Flower Farm. Working for Jackie Smith (owner of Absolute Equipment Sales) also gave me the courage to start my own business. I was given so many opportunities while working for him that, eventually, I thought, “Why not me?” Congratulations on being elected as Region V State Director. What does serving on the TNLA Board of Directors mean to you, and what are you most looking forward to? Serving on the Board means a great deal to me. Once I became involved at the Region level, I knew I wanted to pour myself into TNLA in a deeper way. What I’m looking forward to most is growth, helping TNLA grow while continuing to grow personally and professionally. What advice would you give to students and young professionals who are just beginning their careers in the green industry? Get involved and ask questions. There are opportunities waiting for you to reach out and grab them. So many people in this industry and association want to help you, so be willing to show up and do the work. In one sentence, what does being part of the TNLA community mean to you? It means belonging to a place where people support you, knowledge never ends, advice is freely shared, although you may want to take some of it with a grain of salt, and growth is possible when you’re willing to put in the work. Rachel’s journey, from student participation and volunteer service to entrepreneurship and board leadership, shows what can happen when someone finds their community, gets involved and keeps showing up.
Whether you are a student, an emerging professional, a business owner or a longtime industry leader, there is a place for you in the TNLA community. Learn more about TNLA membership and ways to get involved be clicking the button below! Each year, the Lone Star Hort Forum brings together leaders from across the Texas green industry to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on what matters most: people, leadership, and the future of our businesses. This year’s Forum did exactly that — through honest conversations, practical learning, and moments that reminded us why this community matters. Day One: Grounded Perspectives and Practical TakeawaysDay One focused on real-world challenges and tools leaders can take back to their teams right away  We kicked off Day One with a familiar and trusted voice. Charlie Hall, a long-time Lone Star Hort Forum contributor, returned with his annual economic forecast — helping attendees better understand where the industry stands and how to plan for the year ahead with clarity and realism. From there, the day moved into sessions that resonated deeply with attendees because they addressed real challenges leaders are navigating right now:
A Special Highlight: Women in Horticulture One of the most impactful conversations of Day One took place during the Women in Horticulture session, which focused on how internal triggers affect leadership, communication, and workplace dynamics. The session explored a simple but powerful concept: our thoughts influence our feelings, which influence our actions — and ultimately our results. Attendees walked away with practical strategies to:
It was a thoughtful conversation that extended well beyond the room and reinforced the importance of self-awareness in leadership at every level. Live Podcast Recordings — Now Available Throughout the day, several live podcast conversations were recorded on-site and are now available to listen to at no cost:
Day Two: Celebrating Excellence and Learning From Each OtherDay Two began with the TNLA Awards Festival, where the community came together to recognize peers, celebrate excellence, and honor those who have helped move the industry forward. Honorary Lifetime Membership Award Winners: This year’s Festival carried special meaning as we honored Jim Reaves, a former TNLA staff member who passed away in August. Jim was posthumously awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership, recognizing his lasting contributions and the impact he made on the Association and the people within it. Young Leader Award Winner- Dylan Cantu, TMCNP of Calloway's Nursery What Was New This Year Several award programs introduced meaningful updates in 2026: Texas Garden Retailers Awards (TGRA)This year marked the introduction of a secret shopper component, adding a new layer of insight and accountability to the judging process and reinforcing the importance of customer experience at every touchpoint. View all TGRA award winners HERE Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards (TEIL) The TEIL program continued to evolve, with judges noting a strong field of submissions that showcased:
View all TEIL award winners HERE Summit Award Winner- Austin Wood Recycling / Texas Native ARP Award Winner- C. Scott Evans TMCNP, TCLP of Rancho Encino, FEWA & Native Jump Start Industry & Emerge Tours In the afternoon, attendees headed out on the Industry Tour and the Emerge Tours. These tours offered behind-the-scenes looks at real operations and real conversations, the kind that don’t happen in a classroom. Discussions on the bus, on-site, and face-to-face allowed participants to learn directly from peers about how they’re solving challenges and running successful businesses. A sincere thank you to our tour stop hosts for opening your doors and sharing your time and insight with our members. Day Three: Investing in Leadership and the Future The Forum concluded with the graduation of TNLA Leadership Bootcamp Class V, a milestone that represents months of learning, reflection, and personal growth.  Leadership Bootcamp is about more than professional development, it’s about building self-aware, confident leaders who are prepared to guide teams, navigate change, and contribute meaningfully to the industry. We are proud of this class and grateful for the perspective and energy they bring to the Texas green industry. The Forum closed with a forward-looking keynote, “Smarter, Faster, Stronger: How AI Can Future-Proof Your Nursery & Landscape Business,” reinforcing the importance of adaptability, curiosity, and thoughtful adoption of new tools. Why Lone Star Hort Forum Still Matters Lone Star Hort Forum isn’t about checking a box or attending another event. It’s about creating space — space to listen, reflect, learn from peers, and reconnect with why we do this work. Seeing the community show up for one another — in conversations, in recognition, and in shared experiences — is always why we do what we do. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make Lone Star Hort Forum 2026 meaningful. Special thanks to all our wonderful sponsors  |
AuthorTNLA Staff Archives
October 2026
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