(Baltimore, MD) -- Eddie Payne AIFD of Marion Smith Florist in Zephyrhills, FL, was installed as president of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) during the organization's acclaimed National Symposium held in New York City (July 3-7). He succeeds Michael O'Neill AIFD of House of Flowers in Forest City, PA as the volunteer leader of the floral industry's leading design education and accreditation membership group.

Installed as president-elect of AIFD was Brian Smith AIFD of Fusion: The Art of Flowers
in Lake Oswego, OR. Chris Norwood AIFD of Tipton & Hurst Florist in Little Rock, AR was installed as AIFD's new vice president.

Walter Fedyshyn AIFD, Zuverink Fine Silk Botanicals, Chicago, IL, was elected and installed as AIFD's new secretary and Tim Farrell AIFD of Farrell's Florist in Drexel Hill, PA continues to serve as treasurer.

Rounding out the AIFD Executive Committee for the coming year will be Jim Ganger AIFD of Country Flowers in Joplin, MO who serves as chairman of the AIFD Membership Committee and Janet Hayes AIFD of Hoh Grown in Port Angeles, WA, who will serve as chairwoman of the 2005 AIFD National Symposium. The National Symposium, "Balance," will be held in Seattle, July 2-6.

Also elected and installed to serve as volunteer leaders for AIFD are the members of its Board of Directors who include: Sylvia Bird AIFD, a freelance designer from Middlesex, England, Mark Erickson AIFD of The Oklahoma Flower Market, Oklahoma, OK; Lottie Nys AIFD, freelance designer, Owasso, OK; Emmett O'Dell AIFD, Peter Garcia Company, Orlando, FL; Kurt Schroeder AIFD, Floralife, Walterboro, SC; Elizabeth Seiji AIFD, Edelweiss Flower Boutique, Santa Monica, CA; David Siders AIFD, Experience and Creative Design, Schenectady, NY; Tom Simmons AIFD, Scentiments, Venice, CA; and Tina Stoecker, Designs of the Times Florists, Melbourne, FL.

Thomas C. Shaner, CAE, continues as AIFD's executive director. AIFD is headquartered in Baltimore, MD.

AIFD was established in 1965 and is dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career. It is the floral industry's leading nonprofit organization committed to establishing and maintaining higher standards in professional floral design. With over 1,300 members worldwide, AIFD and its members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational and design programs.

Accredited Membership in AIFD is selective. To be accredited, a floral designer must fulfill rigid qualifications and demonstrate advanced professional ability. They must also maintain the Accreditation by meeting certain minimum continuing education requirements. Members are distinguished by the letters "AIFD" used as an addenda to their name.