American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation, Inc.
Frankie Shelton AAF AIFD PFCI is a nationally recognized teacher of floral design. Her early years reflect ownership and operations of a retail flower shop in Houston, Texas, which she sold in 1977. Since that time, teaching, presenting and consulting established the hallmark of her long standing career. Highly motivating, she travelled the world, sharing her vast knowledge and experience in a warm and enthusiastic manner.
Her involvement on the national stage is extensive, taking her to Washington, D.C. for numerous engagements. She decorated the White House for Christmas on four occasions, the Vice President’s home in 1985 and chaired one of the Presidential Inaugural Design Teams in 1989.
She has served the floral industry well in numerous leadership positions. A Past President of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and a Fellow of the Institute, she also chaired the 1979 and 1985 AIFD Symposia, as well as served as an AIFD Foundation Trustee for decades and as Secretary of the AIFD Foundation. Today she continues to serve the AIFD Foundation as a Trustee Emeritus.
Prominent among other honors received during her career are the Tommy Bright Award for Outstanding Floral Commentating, the AIFD Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry and the South Central Regional Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. She also collaborated with a selected group of AIFD members to collectively author the AIFD Book of Floral Terminology.
As she approaches her 96th birthday, Frankie continues to be excited about flowers, florists, and the floral industry. Friends of Frankie Shelton have established the Frankie Shelton AIFD Fund within the AIFD Foundation and invite you to contribute in celebration.
CFD Scholarships in the amount up to $1,000 each
- Awarded to Tom Powell AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Jennifer Butcher CFD
- Awarded to Tom Powell AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Jamie Hayre CFD
- Preparatory Class Registrations underwritten by Floriology Institute Fund powered by BloomNet
Scholarships to S.H.I.N.E. to total $3,150 each
- Awarded to Michi Burrell AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Shonda Cunningham AIFD to mentor with Charlie Groppetti AIFD and Todd Smith at Park Hill Collection
- Awarded to Bobbi Ecker Blatchford AIFD Endowed Fund and Michi Burrell AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Marisa Guerrero AIFD to mentor with the Winward Visual Merchandising Team at one of three Winward showrooms in Fremont, California, Atlanta, Georgia or Dallas, Texas
Three Student Scholarships to total $6,000
- Awarded to Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Alyssa Snow
- Awarded to Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Kiara Benavides
- Awarded to South Central Regional Chapter Endowed Fund Recipient Amberlee Gandy
Five Symposium Scholarships to total up to $10,000
- Awarded to Eulalah Overmeyer AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Leslie Tabor
- Awarded to Rocky Pollitz AIFD Endowed Fund and Jim Treadaway AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Peggy Cooper
- Awarded to North Central Regional Chapter Endowed Fund Recipient Deanna Hunt
- Awarded to Northwest Regional Chapter Endowed Fund and Eulalah Overmeyer AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Kimberley Horton
- Awarded to Southern Regional Chapter Endowed Fund Recipient Missy Brandon
Five Lifetime Of Learning Scholarships
provide each an AIFD Symposium Premium
Registration Total Value of $4,345
- Awarded to Irasema Carranza CFD, Ellouise Hasler-Stott, Ronda Hess AIFD, Nicola Parker AIFD and Rebecca Sullivan
- Premium Registrations underwritten by Floriology Institute Fund powered by BloomNet
With a new initiative of collective giving and increased awareness of a long established possibility the AIFD Foundation announces the 2019 Capital Campaign giving purpose to the 40th Anniversary of the AIFD Foundation that will extend far past the year-long celebration.
A Lifetime of Learning Fund
The AIFD Foundation has established A Lifetime of Learning Fund to provide a kaleidoscope of opportunity for future growth and shared initiatives.
Collectively, no matter what segment of the industry we find our success, in some way our efforts lead to the end result of placing flowers in the minds and hands of the consumer. Just as a kaleidoscope changes patterns from a collection of elements to reflect overall beauty, all segments of the industry, unified in purpose, can provide what is needed to establish A Lifetime of Learning.
Providing educational support through continuing instruction and inspirational experiences will elevate the level of floral knowledge to assist in securing an industry.
Establish an Individual or Corporate Named Fund
For an individual or corporate entity wishing to commit $30,000 over five years the Named Fund process is in place enabling the fund name and fund purpose to be designated by the donor.
For complete information contact the AIFD Foundation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
David A. Shover AIFD 2019-2020 AIFD National President Elect and AIFD member since 1989 was an award winning designer, educator, leader, mentor and friend to so many. His dedication to the AIFD National Association, Southern Chapter and AIFD Foundation expands into pages, not paragraphs.
As a designer – one of the best
As a teacher – thorough and encouraging
As a leader – easy to follow
As a mentor – inspiring to the end
As a friend – missed every day
David’s belief in looking at each day as a gift was reinforced with how easily he shared his broad smile and roaring laugh. His design knowledge and love of the industry will live on in those who had the good fortune to know him and share the short moment in time he gave to each of us.
The AIFD Foundation was established in 1979 as an independent, non-profit, 501c3 organization with endowed funds providing scholarships to floral design students and aspiring floral designers. Education that impacts the future success of floral design is supported through grants from the AIFD Foundation. The funds, established within the AIFD Foundation, are permanently restricted. The principal is protected with only the interest and dividends awarded, ensuring that those honored will forever be remembered.
To Donate by Check:
Mail a check, payable to the AIFD Foundation, with the notation of David Shover AIFD Fund to
AIFD Foundation
PO Box 859
Leander, TX 78646
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JIM RAUCH AIFD“Jim will always be remembered for his kind loving soul, his smile, laugh, hugs and his sincere caring nature. A dedicated AIFD member, serving AIFD on the National Membership Committee and a valued leader in the North Central Chapter, representing the Chapter on the AIFD National Board, Jim thought of us as family.” —Carolyn Kurek AIFD and Pete Samek AIFD |
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PHIL RULLODA AIFD“An award winner surpassing all others, he is revered as a true genius of the human spirit. He can turn a palm frond into a treasured sculpture. In turn, he can mold a student into a dedicated designer. His design style, philosophy of life and compassion for his art make him the finest creative wonder of our time. ” —Rocky Pollitz AIFD |
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RICHARD SEABOLDT AIFD“His inspiration often came through as generosity, thoughtfulness and humor. A man full of shenanigans, he was always the first to laugh at himself! It didn’t matter whether you were a young designer or a wealthy client, he knew exactly how to excite you with design.” —Karyn Brooke AIFD |
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FRANKIE SHELTON AIFD“Frankie has been a strong inspiration in both my personal and professional life with her passionate enthusiasm, motivation, encouragement, knowledge and determination for success.” —Tony Huffman AIFD |
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MATT WOOD AIFD“Inspired by the seasons, Matt Wood had an incredible sense of color and texture. His ability to breathe life into his creations is unparalleled. To see Permanent Botanicals as another way to express a love of the flora and fauna that surrounds us was his mission. To see Permanent Botanicals as an expression of the beauty of flora and fauna was his mission. Matt was more than a gifted floral designer; he was the personification of a true artist.” —Holly Money-Collins AIFD |
