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Lionel van der Walt has been named the next President and CEO of AmericanHort, effective 2 June 2026.
AmericanHort has appointed Lionel van der Walt as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 June 2026.
The appointment marks a leadership transition for one of the USA’s major horticultural trade associations, with van der Walt succeeding Ken Fisher, who announced last autumn that he would depart in May 2026 after ten years with the organisation.
In his first message to the industry, van der Walt placed emphasis on listening, continuity, and connection with the businesses AmericanHort represents.
He said: “It’s a huge privilege to lead AmericanHort at such a significant moment for the green industry. There’s something special about the hard work and passion that defines what we do, and I’m proud to stand with the businesses that make this industry so vibrant.”
He added, “My first priority is to listen and learn from you. I’m looking forward to working side-by-side to build on the great legacy of growth and advocacy that AmericanHort is known for.”
Announcing the appointment, Kent Fullmer, Chair of the AmericanHort Board of Directors, said: “After a comprehensive national search, we are confident that Lionel van der Walt is the right leader to guide AmericanHort into its next chapter. His work experience, global perspective and his collaborative style will be instrumental as AmericanHort continues to advocate for and support the horticulture industry.”
Van der Walt joins AmericanHort with more than two decades of executive leadership experience across international associations, technology, logistics, and member-driven organisations. He most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer of Nallian, a technology company specialising in data-sharing solutions for the global air cargo industry. His previous leadership roles include Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants and President of Cargo Network Services, a subsidiary of the International Air Transport Association.
His appointment brings a notably international profile to AmericanHort. Van der Walt has lived and worked in South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and spent more than a decade in leadership roles at the International Air Transport Association across the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Southern Africa.
For growers and green industry businesses, his background also combines association leadership with a personal connection to agriculture. He grew up in farming communities in South Africa, where his family continues to own and operate farms, and has maintained a lifelong interest in viticulture and pomology, with a particular focus on small-scale almond and hazelnut production.
For the North American green industry, the appointment comes at a time when growers, retailers, landscape businesses, suppliers, and allied companies are navigating labour pressures, changing consumer expectations, supply-chain complexity, and the need to demonstrate the economic and social value of horticulture. Strong national associations play an important role in bringing businesses together, representing industry priorities, and supporting professional development across the supply chain.
AmericanHort said van der Walt is a champion of high-performance teams, innovation, and diversity, and will build on the association’s work in advocacy, educational programming, and industry connection.
The AmericanHort Board of Directors also thanked outgoing President and CEO Ken Fisher for his leadership and contribution to the association and the wider green industry.
