FTD Education Team

Samantha Bates AIFD, CFD, CF
Samantha Bates AIFD, CFD, CF is the owner of Especially For You Floral located in downtown Ponchatoula, Louisiana. With over 12 years of experience in the floral industry, she has built a thriving wedding and event business within her retail shop. While she was growing her business, Samantha developed a passion for innovative branding and marketing strategies, which she enthusiastically shares in her design programs.

Samantha was inducted into the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2016. In 2017, she was named by Florists’ Review magazine as one of the Top 35 Under 35 in the floral industry. She was a featured designer in the book Creativity: A Global Floral Introspective, a collection of floral expressions by 34 acclaimed floral artists from around the globe. Known for her competitive spirit, Samantha made it to the Final Four of the FTD Americas Cup design competition in 2018 and 2022, and she won the Jim Johnson Cup in 2018 and 2020.

Deborah De La Flor AIFD, PFCI
Deborah's talent, innovative style and passion for flowers have made her a world-renowned floral designer. For more than 30 years, she has traveled the world, sharing her love for the floral industry through design presentations, seminars, competitions and commentary. Deborah's ability to anticipate and influence the latest floral trends has led to her consulting for some of the biggest names in the floral industry. Her vast knowledge, down-to-earth demeanor and infectious enthusiasm make her a sought-after presenter for floral industry events. She is also the author of the floral design book Florsages: The Art of Floral Body Design.

Her many accolades include Florida State Designer of the Year and winner of the FTD Great Masters Design Competition. Most recently, Deborah had the honor of serving as a judge for the 2015 Interflora World Cup in Berlin, Germany. She was inducted into the Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI) in 2006. Deborah represented the United States at the Interflora World Cup in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. She has owned De La Flor Gardens in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for more than 25 years.

Ann Jordan AIFD, AAF, mmfd
A premier FTD Education Team Member for more than a decade, Ann Jordan blends her professional accomplishments with the latest trends in all of her teachings, including FTD Boot Camp. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable, Ann has more than 30 years of retail floral experience and has significantly impacted the floral industry.

Ann teaches all aspects of floristry to floral design students and has served in a number of industry leadership roles, including AIFD President for the 2012-13 term. Her other career accomplishments include having her designs featured in Florists' Review, Philadelphia Flower Show, national inaugurations and participating in many AIFD programs, including the AIFD booth at the famed Philadelphia Flower Show; her 2008 presentation, River Run, on the Main Stage at the 2008 Symposium; and Reflection...Five Decades of Design Excellence at the 2015 Symposium. Not only is Ann recognized in the floral industry for her creative skills, she is also known in her community as a business leader and prominent floral designer. She was nominated for New England Business Woman of the Year in 1998 and the Maine Small Business of the Year in 2004.

Jacob McCall AIFD, AAF, FSMD
Jacob McCall began his career in the floral industry more than 17 years ago. Over the years, he has worked in a retail flower shop, consulted on product design and development and traveled throughout North and South America educating consumers and his peers. Jacob is known for his cutting-edge trends and color expertise.

No stranger to the world of floral design competition, Jacob represented the United States at the 2015 Interflora World Cup in Berlin, Germany, competing against 25 other countries. In 2014, he won the coveted Sylvia Cup at the Society of American Florists (SAF) Convention. He also won the Sunshine Cup at the Florida State Florists' Association Convention in 2013. Competing against nine countries, Jacob represented the U.S. in the 2011 America's Cup in Brazil, taking first runner up. Prior to that, Jacob won the Iron Designer Competition at the International Floriculture Expo for two consecutive years, 2011 and 2010. He was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture in 2012, as well as the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2010.

J. Keith White AIFD, CFD
As Partner and Design Director of AANDK Productions, a special events company, J. Keith White is known for his floral vision and extraordinary designs. No stranger to news media, Keith's programs and projects have been covered by broadcast, Internet and print journalism for more than two decades. Sponsored by FTD, his masterful designs for the official vehicles in the annual Rose Parade® have been viewed by millions. Keith's designs can be viewed in the book Wedding Winning Bouquet Combinations, which he produced with Florists' Review and the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC).

Keith's talents as a designer, merchandiser and communicator have been recognized and awarded throughout the industry. Most recently, Keith's design work was featured in several issues of Florists' Review. Keith represented the United States in the Interflora World Cup at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China and served as a judge for the Interflora World Cup in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. Since his induction into American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 1996, Keith has presented four main stage programs at various AIFD Symposia. While he is known for his showmanship and professionalism, Keith's programs also present meaningful educational content.

Randy Wooten AIFD, PFCI, GMF
Randy Wooten has more than a decade of experience in the floral industry. He is the fourth-generation owner and lead designer at Delorice's Florist in Douglas, GA, and is also active in the advancement of the floral industry. Randy educates his peers at various design shows and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Southern Chapter of AIFD. His first book, Jubilation, was published in 2015.

Brilliant in both business and design, Randy has received multiple awards throughout his career. In 2012, the Georgia State Florist Association presented him with the 2012 Retailer of the Year Award. In 2010, he became a member of the Professional Floral Communicators - International (PFCI) after being inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2009. He also received the 2009 Dick Timmons Service Award and the 2006 Designer of the Year Award from the Georgia State Florist Association. His passion for the floral industry is deeply rooted in education, which he believes is the key to the industry's survival.