Brian Austin, The Garden Path Greenhouse, Clifton, CO. Brian is the owner of The Garden Path Greenhouse. He graduated with honors from Colorado State University, with degrees in Floriculture and Nursery Management. He was also the coordinator of the CSU annual and perennial trial garden in 2008. After CSU, Brian was the head grower at Dutch Heritage Gardens, in Larkspur, CO, where he worked for 12 years.  In 2018, he was recognized as one of GPN’s top 40 Under 40 in the horticulture industry. He was also recognized as a finalist for Grower Talk’s Young Grower of the Year award in 2019.  In 2024, he purchased The Garden Path Greenhouse from his father, where they grow high-quality, large-sized baskets, pots, and other bedding plants for the mountain communities. Growing has always been his passion as he utilizes his experience growing large-volume crops to improve efficiency and bring new ideas to energize the family business. He enjoys the challenge of finding new ways to overcome traditional issues in the greenhouse, while still utilizing tried and true growing methods to consistently achieve a high level of plant quality. He loves spending time with his family in the mountains of western Colorado, where he enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoys coaching soccer and basketball.

Katelynn Martinez, OneCanopy, Loveland, CO. Katelynn is a systems-driven forest ecologist with over a decade of experience in the Rocky Mountain region, dedicated to advancing reforestation, conservation, and climate solutions. As Director of Operations & Business Development at OneCanopy—a pioneering reforestation and native seedling nursery—Katelynn worked alongside the CEO to develop the company from the ground up. This venture is her first foray into the greenhouse and nursery industry, where she has gained extensive knowledge over the past three years, leading efforts that have resulted in the cultivation of over 1 million seedlings. A two-time graduate of Colorado State University, Katelynn holds a B.S. in Forest Management, an MBA in Corporate Sustainability, and certificates in Carbon Management and Permaculture Design. Her career spans fieldwork, research, and public engagement with agencies like the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Colorado State Forest Service. With her unique background in ecology and OneCanopy’s specialized role in the industry, Katelynn hopes to offer a unique and supportive perspective to the CNGA board. A seventh-generation Coloradan, Katelynn’s commitment to land stewardship is both a professional mission and a personal legacy.”

Courtenay Koontz, Trees of Corrales, Corrales, NM. Courtenay grew up on his family’s farm and nursery, Trees of Corrales, in Corrales, NM. He attended college at Texas A&M University, studying Agricultural Systems Management and Horticulture.  At A&M, he joined the Army National Guard and served for a total of nine years.  Upon completion of his education and military service in 2008, he moved home to work full-time at Trees of Corrales. In 2018, he enrolled and graduated from Dr. Charlie Hall’s Executive Academy for Growth and Leadership.

After surviving the great recession, and being promoted to General Manager in 2010, he oversaw the expansion of Trees of Corrales to include additional field tree production in eastern New Mexico, the development of Trees of Corrales Wholesale (Landscape Distribution Center) which was sold earlier this year, as well as production of a larger plant palette in the container division (with an emphasis in growing Plant Select selections). He is running for this board position because he believes in our industry, and in the CNGA.  He feels that having a representative from New Mexico will help broaden CNGA’s reach, as well as bring a different perspective to the board of directors.