It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Cathy Corrigan’s departure as President of PLNA.

Since 2004, Cathy has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization. She has served numerous roles at PLNA, starting as Director of Finance and Administration, adding on Director of Certification in 2008 and finally taking over as President in 2013.

We want to thank her for the years of dedicated service which involved many accomplishments, including:

• Launching programs for youth and students through the PCH Associate program

• Planning and coordinating numerous events, including PANTS, meet-ups and annual meetings

• Partnering with government liaisons across multiple Administrations to ensure our members needs are met and lobbied 

• Positioning the organization thru the COVID-19 era as a leader in the industry 

Over the past few months, the PLNA BoD determined that engaging an association management firm would benefit the Membership and over the past several months a search for the best management partner was conducted. The PLNA BoD has contracted with Wanner Associates, of Harrisburg, PA to lead the association into the future, while maintaining stability and efficiency.

Again, we cannot thank Cathy enough for the dedication, passion, enthusiasm, and motivation she has given PLNA over the past 16 years. She will be greatly missed by the staff, Board, members and partners alike.

We are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of PLNA as we continue to support our green industry. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ted Ventre, Chair, Board of Directors, directly at tventre@hivelylandscapes.com. 

Hello, PLNA Members!

I hope that all of you are well and enjoying summer so far, as best you can in these current circumstances. My perspective has certainly changed over these past several months, and I know we all look forward to the time when we are back to “business as usual” and able to gather together.

My name is Cicely Elliott and I am so pleased to be on board as PLNA’s new executive director! I have a background in marketing, association management, English literature, and floral design. I am most happy wandering through my local plant nurseries or exploring estate gardens.

I am also fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Cathy Corrigan this summer to learn about PLNA and you, as its valued members. As we continue to transition management and operations, it is our goal to ensure that the transition is efficient and seamless and that members experience as few hiccups as possible.

• PLNA’s new headquarters and mailing address is 908 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17102 

• You can call PLNA at 717-238-1673, ext. 118 

• You can email PLNA at PLNA@PLNA.com or celliott@wannerassoc.com 

• Send PLNA faxes to 717-236-2046 and simply add “Attn: PLNA” to your document

As your new PLNA staff, three colleagues and I will manage day-to-day operations, programming, membership and certification processes and procedures, and PLNA communications. We work for Wanner Associates, Inc., an association management and government relations firm in Harrisburg, PA with 30+ years of proven association management, conference planning, membership coordination, and certification coordination expertise.

As executive director, I will be your main PLNA point of contact. I will collaborate with Jason Tobias, Tiffany Carpenter, and Denise Deimler to support you in your membership and your professional development, and to work in tandem with the Board of Directors to position PLNA for continued success, innovation, and sustainability. You might speak with Jason, Tiffany, and/or myself about membership renewals and certification details. You might speak to or hear from Denise regarding accounts payable or accounts receivable. Kathy Clough answers our phones and will connect you to a PLNA staff member.

Please do not ever hesitate to contact us! You will hear more from me soon, and we are all looking forward to meeting and working with you. Best wishes for a happy end-of-summer.

Sincerely,

Cicely Elliott

Executive Director