Educators

William (Bill) McKinley AIFD, ICPF

Bill is currently Benz Endowed Chair and Senior Lecturer at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he also the Student AIFD advisor for the Forsythe Chapter.
Bill shares his enthusiasm for educating others not only through his higher education classes, but also through seminars conducted at state shows, wholesale house programs, garden club workshops and symposiums throughout the United States and abroad.
Bill retired from the AIFD National Board of Directors in July 2015 after over six years of service, but is currently the AIFD Online Education Administrator, serves on the Education Committee, Educational Partner Committee, International Committee and is a past member of both the South Central and North Central Board of Directors. He is also past chairman of the AIFD National Student Membership/AIR Committee, Education Committee, Educational Partners Committee and Certification Committee.
Bill was inducted into the Illinois State Florists’ Association Hall of Fame in 2010 where a scholarship was named for him, was awarded the AIFD Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry Award in 2010, and recently was awarded the Distinguished Service to AIFD (Fellow) in 2022.
Bill and his wife, Nicole, have three adult, financially independent children who amaze them daily with their imagination, courage, and self-determination.

“The art of floral design is a special blending of the arts/humanities and the
sciences. A successful floral designer must possess both an
appreciation/understanding of art as well as an aptitude for the science of
plants.”

Jackie Lacey AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CFD

Jackie Lacey has over thirty-five years of experience in the retail floral market and floral education field. His portfolio includes an extensive background in the retail floral market and wedding/event design experience. Jackie now utilizes his experience to provide education and instructional design programs, market showroom set up, private retail consulting, product development as well as design and event planning. His current position as Director of Education and Industry Relations with Floriology, BloomNet and Napco and Senior Design Team Specialist and Senior Editor for Floriology Magazine keep him on top of market trends, current design trends, industry education and retail marketing.
Jackie has won numerous awards in floral design competitions in both multi state, national and local floral associations. Published articles have appeared on both his expertise and floral experience. His work has been published in Floriology Magazine, SAF, “Flowers &”, “Modern Bride”, “Inside Weddings” and many others. National Television exposure includes designing and participation for WE TV programs “Platinum Weddings” and “I Do Over” as a Celebrations.Com Floral Expert. Previous work for celebrities such as Drew
Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane, Cheryl Ladd, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio have come easily through participation with floral design on several major motion pictures.
Continuing education through numerous stage presentations for multi–state Associations and national industry leaders such as SAF, AFE, Virgin Farms Direct, Smithers-Oasis, BloomNet, FTD, Fitz Design Team, Floral Strategies and John Henry Company allow Jackie to help the continued growth of the floral industry. Experience in floral design for the Tournament of Roses Parade floats, product development team for the largest Import/Export show in the world and set up and design for Gift Market showrooms only adds to the vast floral experience he can call on for every event.
He has served as a leader in numerous industry associations to include his current position as President of FSFA International, AFE Trustee and board member, 2019-2021 AIFD National President, AIFD National Membership Committee Chair, CFD Committee, International Committee, and previous member of the Southern AIFD Board. Recipient of the 2021 FSFA Lifetime Achievement Award, AIFD 2021 Special Award of Dedication, AIFD 2022 Special Award of Recognition, and 2022 GLFA National Service Award.
Jackie’s extensive travels across the country, Hong Kong, China, and Europe afford many opportunities for him to interact with designers of all levels and share this extensive background and experience to florists everywhere.