RCTB Board Nomination Ballots Due July 15 – Maine Christmas Tree Association

NEWS & UPDATES June 15, 2026

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RCTB Board Nomination Ballots Due July 15
The RCTB Board nomination process is underway! RCTB Board members play an important role — representing grower interests across the United States and leading initiatives to address their greatest challenges while helping them most effectively marketing their product. Therefore, growers are highly encouraged to check their mailboxes for their RCTB ballot and have it postmarked by July 15 to ensure it is counted. Ballots were mailed to all eligible growers — those who reported a harvest of more than 500 trees and paid assessments in the most recent fiscal period. Producers who produce trees in more than one region may only vote in the region in which they produce the majority of their trees.Each position will be effective January 1, 2027, and each member will serve a three-year term. There are four seats up for appointment— two Eastern, one Central and one Western seats. The RCTB must provide two candidates for every seat. The nominees who receive the highest number of votes in each region will be submitted to the USDA in order of ballot count. The Secretary of Agriculture will then select and appoint a member of the Board for each open position.

Meet the RCTB Board Candidates
Below are brief synopses about each RCTB candidate. More complete information about the candidates is available by clicking on the links below.CENTRAL REGIONBeverly (Bev) KeenerBev is Sales Manager for Canaan Fir Tree Company, with 40 years of evergreen production and distribution experience, including three decades at Pound’s Nursery. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she raises beef cattle. Her community and industry service includes roles as Secretary of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association, participating in Operation Evergreen, and supporting local 4-H programs and agricultural fairs.
John KruegerJohn operates Krueger’s Christmas Tree Farm, a family business running since 1954. He brings a lifelong agricultural background paired with a 20-year corporate career in manufacturing, global supply chains, and sourcing for companies like Polaris. His community service includes ten years with the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association, including serving as President, and serving as the Minnesota State Fair committee chair.
Mike StoffelMike is the owner of The Christmas Tree Farm, LLC, combining a lifelong background in tree farming with a decades-long career in Civil Municipal Engineering. He and his wife began their operation in 2017 and then expanded their acreage in 2024 producing 5,000 trees annually. His community service includes leadership on his local chamber of commerce executive board, church pastoral and finance councils, and professional engineering society boards, alongside decades of civic engagement advising local village and city councils.
Learn more about the candidates by downloading the Eastern region candidate statements.EASTERN REGIONJessie B. DavisJessie operates River Ridge Farms, a Christmas tree operation spanning choose-and-cut, retail lots, and large-scale chain store supply. He brings more than 40 years of agricultural experience combined with a 31-year career in automotive manufacturing operations and process discipline. His industry advocacy focuses on applying continuous improvement principles, operational excellence, and data-driven strategic planning to enhance the real tree supply chain.Lindsay EshelmanLindsay leads marketing and events for Plow Farms, helping triple the family’s retail volume over 20 years. Her professional career features global corporate brand strategy, recently serving as Head of Marketing for Italian agricultural corporation Gruppo Montenegro and previously directing international transformations for Campari Group. In addition to guest lecturing at New School University, she is deeply grounded in the grower’s perspective based on her years of experience in the industry.
Ray GilbertRay is the founder and owner of Gilbert Christmas Tree Farm, a wholesale and retail operation established in 1983 that grows Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Green Giants and Virginia Pines. A former corporate controller with 33 years of accounting experience, Gilbert holds an MBA from Auburn University. His extensive community leadership includes serving multiple terms as President of the Southern Christmas Tree Association and over 15 years as treasurer for both his church and local community club.
Carrie McClainCarrie operates Hart-T-Tree Farms, founded Little Saps an e-commerce seedling business, and reopened a historic general store on their property. She brings a diverse background spanning government relations contract management, AmeriCorps service, and formal leadership training through NC State’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program. Her extensive community and industry service includes serving on the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association board, RCTB’s Promotion Committee, and as Board Chair of the New River Conservancy.
Peter SweetPeter is the owner of Seekonk Tree Farm, founded by his parents in 1978, and holds a degree in Landscape Architecture Contracting. After founding Sweetscapes Landscape Contracting in 1990, he expanded into nursery and Christmas tree production, implementing modern technological and conservation management upgrades. His industry leadership includes serving as President of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association and as Communications Director on the board of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York.
Learn more about the candidates by downloading the Eastern region candidate statements.
WESTERN REGIONElaine DeGeorgeElaine is the co-owner of Kris Kringle’s Farm, bringing nearly three decades of experience managing multi-site tree retail operations across Oregon and California. She brings creative industry marketing experience and a penchant for educating consumers about the industry and its product. Her professional background also includes corporate hospitality management as a hotelier. Committed to civic service, DeGeorge established the Kris Kringle Foundation, partnering with local law enforcement for more than 24 years to donate trees and toys to families in need.
JoLynn StrodaJoLynn is the corporate office manager and logistical coordinator for the multi-generational Stroda Bros. Farm, where she oversees payroll, direct client relations, and shipping logistics for the Christmas tree operation. A retired healthcare practitioner, she holds a degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University. Her industry governance and community service include currently serving as Treasurer on the Real Christmas Tree Board.
Learn more about the candidates by downloading the Western region candidate statements.

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