Peter L. Snyder - Executive Director

Snyder is a senior business executive with a wealth of award-winning consulting and growth-oriented management experience. He is particularly adept at strategic planning, issues management, crisis communications and corporate communications. Most recently he founded Snyder & Workman Communications; formed from the merger of the Snyder Consulting Group and the Workman Company.  Snyder began his career in New York at Gibbs & Soell, where he specialized in agricultural and industrial chemical PR.  He then joined the financial relations department of Ruder & Finn. Snyder moved to St. Louis to open an office for Dorf/MJH later called Dorf & Stanton (D&S).  

Snyder became a partner in D&S, holding progressively more responsible positions through the agency's acquisition by Shandwick in 1989, at which point he was named chief operating officer.  He played an integral role in organizing regional offices in Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.  In 1994, Snyder was named president of D&S and worked with other senior executives to unify the agency's holdings under the Shandwick banner.  In 1996, Snyder was named president of Miller/Shandwick Technologies, leading that agency through record growth, including expansion in the U.S. and Europe and into Asia.  In 1997, he added the responsibilities of president of Shandwick, United States.  His desire to return to client service prompted the establishment of the Snyder Consulting Group.  Snyder has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts from Cornell University.  He has three children, two of whom are grown. Snyder, his wife and daughter will be relocating to Orlando. 

Heather Russo - Marketing & Events Coordinator

Russo joined FTGA in November 2006 as the association's Marketing & Events Coordinator. Her roles are to oversee the association's Annual Conference and Show, Regional Turf Seminars and other special events, as well as overseeing the FTGA's marketing efforts and member relations.

Previously she worked for states largest citrus organization Florida Citrus Mutual as the membership and network coordinator for six years. Her major responsibility was to create the association's member database for all citrus growers in the state of Florida. She also managed the three-day state-wide Citrus Annual Conference, Allied Membership and all membership activities. Prior to working for Mutual, she worked for Publix Super Markets, Inc. for 10 years. Russo is a board of director for the Florida Ag in the Classroom.