Staff
NLAE is professionally managed by AmericanHort, the national horticulture trade association. While all of AmericanHort’s staff supports NLAE in some capacity, the individual most responsible for NLAE is the following:
Executive Director
Mary Beth Cowardin
Mary Beth Cowardin leads the AmericanHort marketing and communications team to help build the organization’s brand, engage current members in the organization’s programs and services and expand the association’s membership base.
Prior to joining AmericanHort she worked in consumer brand marketing for two decades working at S.C. Johnson, Elmer’s Products, and the T. Marzetti company where she led market leading multi-product brand portfolios.
She worked for a decade with The Ohio Department of Agriculture where she served as the chief of the Division of Markets, she led the team that promoted Ohio made food and agricultural products across the U.S. and worldwide through the OHIO PROUD® grassroots marketing program and various international trade services.
Mary Beth holds her bachelor’s degree in French and Finance and master’s degrees in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. She is a step-mom to three grown children and resides in Columbus with her husband and two pups, Klio, and Luna.
You can also reach the entire staff at NLAE@AmericanHort.org.