Leadership

Dwight Fortson was born and raised in Big Spring, Texas. He is a graduate of Big Spring High School and Howard College in that city. After earning is Associate of Arts degree from Howard College, Dwight attended the University of North Texas where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology. While going to these colleges, Dwight worked as a floral designer for Faye's Flowers in Big Spring and the Joe Alford Florist in Denton, TX.

In 1973, Dwight went to work as a Speech Therapist and Special Education teacher in the Lewisville, Texas school system. In 1979 he went to work for the Ft. Worth Supply Company as a supply salesman and in 1987 took a job with Lion Ribbon Company and worked selling accessories to Florists for the next 35 years.

Dwight is a former Past President of WTNM and has served on the board of The Florist Federal Credit Union for the last 12 years.

Dwight currently works as fleet manager and driver trainer for Fine Airport Parking in Denver, Colorado. He is married to his wife Suzan and has two children and two step children.

In 1998 upon meeting Christopher Collum, Tom Williams was introduced to the floral industry. Prior to this time his professional focus was in office administration. With Chris’s design sense and Tom’s understanding of business their partnership excelled through free-lance design projects across the state and nation. This free-lance business continued until 2007 when Tom accepted the position of General Manager for Flowerland, in Midland Texas. He held this position for seven years before being named General Manager of Mark Knox Flowers, in Odessa Texas where he is currently employed.

Tom has served two terms on the Credit Unions Board of Directors, and has been a member of the Credit Union for many years. The time spent has provided an opportunity to help florists individually as well as assist with the businesses represented through these efforts.

His interest in the floral industry remains strong today as Tom brings forward his knowledge and generous spirit. He and his partner Chris reside in Midland with two Labradors: Bella and Bree, and one Chihuahua: Palo.

Lou Anne has served as a board member of The Florist Federal Credit Union since 2012, and has been an active member of The Florist FCU for over thirty years. She strongly believes in the mission of The Florist FCU to serve the floral industry. She is excited about the direction that the credit union is taking, “We are working hard to innovate and utilize new technology and services to become a more virtual credit union that can serve florists nationwide, while keeping our focus on being a people serving business.”

Lou Anne was literally born into the greenhouse industry. She is the president of Irwin Greenhouses, Inc., a family run business started by her parents Jim and Jean Irwin in 1963 in Canyon, Texas. She has been active in the regional floral industry for many years. She has served on numerous committees and held most offices including president of the WesTexas New Mexico Florist Association. She also served on the Texas State Florists’ Association board and as president of the local Panhandle Allied Florist Association. This background has made her very aware of the importance of honoring the past and the foundation, while strengthening the present, and being willing to adjust to the necessary changes of the Future.

Mark began his floral career as a delivery boy during high school and found he had a love for flowers, creativity and design that would last his entire career. After attending Central State University and graduating from the Benz School of Design in Houston, Texas he convinced his parents the family should be in the flower business. His family did buy a flower shop and they grew it into one of the leading florists in Oklahoma City.

After 20 years of managing a retail floral shop Mark transitioned into the corporate sector holding several creative and management positions for American Floral Services an Oklahoma City based International flowers-by-wire service.

Currently, Mark is the Marketing, Merchandising and Education Director for the Oklahoma Flower Market Wholesale Florist in Oklahoma City.

He is in his second term as a member of the board of directors for The Florist Federal Credit Union. Mark considers serving on the board as a representative for industry members across the country as both an honor and privilege.

Lynn has served on the Supervisory Committee of The Florist FCU for more than 15 years, and was elected onto the Board of Directors in 2017. She has also been a long-time member of The Florist FCU.

Lynn has worked for Sunwest Bank, then later, Bank of America, for 18 years, prior to her time with The Florist.

Lynn has never worked directly with the floral industry, but she remarks that she was “lucky enough to marry into a wonderful family of florists.”

Tom is a long time member of The Florist Federal Credit Union. He is currently serving on the Supervisory Committee, where he has volunteered his time for many years.