2011-2012 Annual Report Highlights What’s Bloomed at the Endowment

AFE has released its 2011-2012 Annual Report.“AFE has advocated for all segments of the floriculture and environmental horticulture industries for more than 50 years, and this report recounts the recent ways AFE has achieved that,” AFE Chairman Paul Bachman of Bachman’s, Inc. said. “Without donors who recognize AFE’s expansive work, none of the accomplishments featured in this annual report would be possible.” 2011-2012 annual report highlights include: Program allocations for research, educational grants, internships and scholarships Three new AFE scholarships Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers Undesignated named funds established Audited financial statement Friends of the Endowment recognition Past annual reports dating back to 1988 and other AFE programs and services are available online.

Bill Belden Memorial Tribute Established

Belden, originally from Xenia, Ohio, spent the majority of his life in the floral industry. He got his start at the Oscar G. Carlstedt Company as a truck driver but left to serve in the U.S. Air Force. He returned to the company after his military service and was assigned to locations in West Palm Beach and Miami, and he was later appointed manager of the Ft. Lauderdale store. In 1965, he was named president. Bill was dedicated to his family, company, friends, suppliers and the entire floral industry. He served with local, state and national organizations, including: the Florida State Florists Association and various committees at the Society of American Florists (SAF). He was president of the Wholesale Florist…

Suzanna McCloskey Hired as AFE’s New Communications Specialist

AFE is pleased to announce Suzanna McCloskey as its new communications specialist. McCloskey, a native Tennessean, recently graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Electronic Media and a minor in English.Before coming to AFE, she worked in public relations and marketing for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and previously to that was a writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel, the city’s daily newspaper. Additionally, she was managing editor for the University of Tennessee’s student-produced news website and a board member for the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists.“I am enthusiastic to have the opportunity to help others better understand the work of the American Floral Endowment,” McCloskey said. “I am pleased to be…

2012 Fundraising Dinner Has AFE Feeling Like a Million Bucks

From left to right: AFE Chairman-Elect Paul Bachman of Bachman’s, Inc., Teleflora President Jeff Bennett, Teleflora Executive Vice President Jack Howard and AFE and Teleflora Chairman Tom Butler.AFE’s 2012 fundraising dinner, held Sept. 20, 2012 at SAF’s Annual Convention in Palm Beach, was more than your average fundraising dinner.In addition to donor recognitions, networking and the opportunity for industry members to show their support for AFE, one special presentation made the night a “one in a million” event for the 200-plus AFE supporters at the dinner.Teleflora and AFE Chairman Tom Butler, along with Teleflora President Jeff Bennett and Executive Vice President Jack Howard, presented AFE and incoming AFE Chairman Paul Bachman of Bachman’s Inc., with a $1 million check on…

AFE Funds $182,000 in Industry Research for 2012-2013

AFE is funding $182,000 in scientific research projects for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.“Each of these research projects will help shed new light on critical industry issues and provide vital information for the entire industry,” said David Niklas of Clackamas Greenhouses and AFE Production and Post-Harvest Research Committee Chairman.Research projects can last from one to three years and any reasonable, but justifiable budget will be considered. Pre-Proposal applications are available on the AFE website and are due by June 1st each year.2012-2013 Breeding and Genetics projects:Dr. Zhanao Deng, University of Florida: Introducing Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance into Floricultural Crops by Transferring NPR1 Gene, the Key Regular of Plant Systemic Acquired Resistance – $32,000 (Year Two)2012-2013 Insect Management projects:Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University:…

AFE Promotes Debi Aker to Executive Director

The Board of Trustees for the American Floral Endowment (AFE) are pleased to announce the promotion of Debi Aker to Executive Director. A long time Society of American Florists (SAF) staff member, she was named manager of AFE in 2008 and has been in the industry for more than 13 years.“Since taking on the management of the Endowment four years ago, Debi Aker has put critical organizational systems into place and has developed lasting relationships with industry members, faculty members and donors,” said Peter Moran, SAF CEO. “This promotion and new title more accurately reflects the breadth of work that Debi is responsible for.”Debi will continue working closely with the AFE Board of Trustees and industry members to focus on…

AFE Trustees Take Texas By Storm!

From left to right: Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair, Texas A&M; AFE Board member and owner of Ellison’s Greenhouses PJ Ellison; Jim and Ellen Ellison; Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M; and AFE Chairman Tom Butler of Teleflora.After a yearlong drought, the AFE Board of Trustees brought some much-needed rain to Texas during its recent visit to College Station. Even with tornado warnings and delayed flights, weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Trustees.The AFE Board convened at Texas A&M University from Jan. 25-27, 2012, at a meeting hosted by Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Activities included tours of the campus buildings, faculty presentations and a reception at the Agrilife…

Elisabeth George Hired as Communications Specialist

Left to right: AFE Manager Debi Aker, AFE Communications Specialist Elisabeth George and AFE Chairman Tom Butler of Teleflora.AFE is pleased to announce Elisabeth George as the new communications specialist, a newly created position.Elisabeth brings over six years of nonprofit and agency experience to the position and holds a Master’s Degree in public relations from the George Washington University. Most recently Elisabeth was employed at Ogilvy Public Relations where she worked on website, social media and communications projects for government, corporate and trade association clients.“I am thrilled to be a part of the team,” she said, “and I am looking forward to the opportunity to help increase public awareness of all the valuable work AFE does for the floriculture industry.”Elisabeth…

AFE’s Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program Nears 20-Year Mark

225 Intern Scholarships Awarded Over Past Two DecadesVic and Margaret BallThe AFE Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2012.This internship experience fills a crucial need as the floriculture industry seeks to build its capacity and increase workforce development. Since its creation in 1992, the Vic and Margaret Ball Program has facilitated paid internships and provided scholarship funds to more 225 students entering the floriculture/horticulture industry. As industries and businesses nationwide face the challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified employees, opportunities such as the Ball Internship Program play a vital role in highlighting floriculture as a career.“Internships provide the hands-on experience students need to pursue a career in commercial production,” said AFE Education Chairman…

AFE Appoints Mike Duvall and Laura Shinall to Board

AFE has elected Mike Duvall of The Home Depot, and Laura Shinall of Syndicate Sales, Inc., to the Board of Trustees.Mike Duvall has been in the floriculture industry for more than 35 years. Duvall graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in horticulture, where he studied under Dr. Michael Dirr and Dr. Allen Armitage. He began his career as a store manager at Pike Nurseries in Atlanta. Since then, he has been with Home Depot for more than 20 as a store manager and most recently, as a Senior Live Goods Merchant. Duvall is also a recipient of the Ram’s Horn Horticulture Award from Farmingdale College in New York for accomplishments and contributions to the horticulture industry. He…

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