Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Sue Conyers

After gaining a few years of experience in the industry, Sue opened her own importing company in Miami, World Flowers, Inc., in 1979. Her first office was in the original Armellini building next to the airport. They moved into their new World Flowers building in 1986. World Flowers became a family business and inspired generations of industry work. Sue’s husband, Doug, worked for her as the warehouse manager. Sue’s son, Robert, also worked for the company for many years. Their daughter, Christine, worked for some years before joining the Association of Floral Importers of Florida (AFIF) as the Executive Vice President. Sue quickly became a leader in the Miami flower importing community. She viewed the health of the whole industry…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Gene Willis

Gene was actively engaged in the floral industry, serving as the president of International Floral Distributors in 2013 and on the board of directors from 2012 to 2014. He promoted floral hard goods as an integral part of the floral industry for 46 years. He believed hard goods were every bit as important to the success of cut flowers.Gene was born in the rugged northeastern Arizona town of McNary, AZ., to Merrill Roundy and Dora Tilton Willis.  He descended from a long line of northern Arizona pioneers, and the spirit of the Old West—honesty, hard work, resilience, and helping others – lived in his veins his whole life.In 1967 Gene received a master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, passed the…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Marc van Iersel

Marc was the Vincent J. Dooley Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, where he spent most of his career from 1995 on. Marc oversaw the UGA Horticulture Physiology Laboratory focused on photosynthesis and light use efficiency research. He also worked on applied research in controlled agriculture environments. As a professor of horticulture, Marc developed biofeedback systems that measure soil moisture and use optical sensors to automatically control the amount of water and light provided to plants in greenhouses and vertical farms. The results had lasting impacts leading to happier, healthier plants with a smaller carbon footprint and cost. Marc was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the 2019 UGA Entrepreneur of the Year and fellow of…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Nicholas I. Paul

Being young (and perhaps idealistic), the Paul brothers decided if they were to spend their lives in the business they had inherited, they wanted to establish a more congenial working relationship among their competitors. Among many other challenges at the time, this was their mission.In 1986, Nick was instrumental in developing a trusting relationship with the company’s wholesaler partners resulting in a joint move of McCallum Sauber Florist Inc., A. Gude Sons, the Washington Florists’ Exchange, and Paul’s Wholesale Florist. Through keeping this collective together for the move, Nick was a part of preserving a 70-year tradition of doing business side-by-side. The original location of the wholesale partners on I Street in Washington D.C. had become difficult for in-person shopping…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Del Demaree

Under Del’s guidance, Syndicate was the first company to use barcode shipping to add a new level of transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the supply chain. Del also pushed Syndicate to become among the first in the industry to implement online ordering. In 1994, Syndicate began manufacturing floral preservative, Aquaplus, and floral foam, Aquafoam. Raised on farms in Michigan and then outside of Kokomo, Indiana, Del’s first taste of being an entrepreneur was when he sold chickens from the family farm door to door. During that time in the mid-’40s, Del’s father spent four days a week farming and three days on the road selling giftware to florists. It was around this time that the family business was born. During…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Edward Seagroatt

Born in Troy, Ed was the son of the late Albert Seagroatt and Helen Brown Seagroatt. Ed was raised in Berlin, NY, and resided in the Capital District area all his life. He attended Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut and was a graduate of La Salle Institute in Troy, NY. Ed earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the State University of New York at Farmingdale and later served in the Coast Guard. You may have driven with him in his prized 1934 Ford Cabriolet with the top down. You may have spotted him in town surprising someone with a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. Or he may have called you on your birthday, always remembering the date but too polite to mention the year. A natural optimist, Ed faced…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Don Hook

In 1976, Hook bought the company from his father. After taking over the business he also took on several other volunteer leadership roles. In the late 80s, he served as a member of AFE’s Board of Trustees. Don served the Endowment in many capacities: Secretary, Vice Chairman of Fundraising and Chairman. He also chaired the 1983 Phone-a-thon participating as one of our most successful fundraisers. He was also a former president of the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association (WFFSA). “Don’s example and encouragement were an inspiration to me and many other young people to enrich our lives by participation in floral industry associations,” noted Red Kennicott of Kennicott Brothers Company.Additionally, Don was…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of John M. Hodapp

John passed unexpectedly on February 11, 2022. John and his wife Cathy had recently moved to Eddyville, Kentucky, where he planned to retire before the end of the year. He had recently celebrated his 35th anniversary with Hortica. Prior to joining Hortica, John worked for 12 years alongside his father at the family’s independent insurance agency. John was very dedicated to family, friends, and to Hortica. He enjoyed working on insurance issues within the floral industry. John is survived by his wife Cathy, their son Ryan, daughter Ashley, and their spouses. He is also the very proud grandfather of four grandsons (Beau, Luke, Tucker, Grant) and one granddaughter (Arlie). John will always be remembered for his eternal optimism and friendly smile.…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Bob Williams

Bob’s early career was at Sherwin Williams, where he became Director of Sales and Marketing, Consumer Brands Division, which he held for 10 years. In 1997, Bob left Sherwin Williams to work for Smithers-Oasis, a global manufacturer and marketer of floral foam, postharvest products, growing media, temperature-controlled packaging, and floral accessory products – entering the floral industry where he would devote the rest of his career. Harrison “Red” Kennicott, Chairman of Kennicott Brothers Company notes, “Unlike many of us, Bob joined the flower industry in mid-career. Bob hit the ground running and never stopped. Bob made a difference for his company, for the flower industry and for all of those whom he touched.” Over the course of 19 years, he…

Remembering Sarah B. Armellini

Sarah B. Armellini, 97, of Palm City, Florida, formerly of Vineland, New Jersey, passed away on July 4, 2021, with her loving family by her side. Born in Vineland, New Jersey, on August 4, 1923. She was the daughter of William and Rachel (Scarpa) Dauito. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Jules (Toots) Armellini on August 15, 2013. Sarah was the matriarch of the family and dedicated her life to making a warm and welcoming home for her family. As a devoted mother of five children, Richard Armellini (Raynel), Judith Dusharm (Sterling), William Armellini (Gabriele), Stephen Armellini (Kristine), and David Armellini (Patricia). Sarah had thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Sarah was an avid cook, artist,…

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