The American Floral Endowment ( AFE ) depends on manufacture leaders , insights , and expertness to indorse research and programs that best serve all of floriculture . This September , AFE appointed three new Trustees to fall in the diverse group with theatrical performance across segment . AFE Trustees are diligence leaders who offer their time and natural endowment to help guide Endowment activeness and political platform do good the industry .
Each new Trustee will serve up a three - yr condition with the option of a second three - twelvemonth term . They will also serve on an AFE committee related to didactics , public congress , and development , research , or floral merchandising . The Endowment is pleased to announce :
Kelvin Frye , Syndicate SalesFrye is an industry veteran . He link Syndicate in 1987 and has held positions in logistics , transport , marketing , and sales . Syndicate Sales is a leading manufacturing business and supplier of flowered hardgoods for retail florists . Frye is presently the Director of Sales based in Kokomo , IN . He has expertise in sale management , distribution , freight management , and meaning process . He also currently answer on the Floral Council and Tradeshow Committee for the International Floral & Produce Association , as well as on the Education Committee for WF&FSA .
When he is not cooperate with his team penis at Syndicate , he is also an adjunct professor at Ball State University . Frye received his knight bachelor ’s from Ball State University and a headmaster ’s in business sector administration from Butler University .
Vijay Rapaka , Smithers - OasisRapaka joined Smithers - Oasis in 2008 as Corporate Grower Research Manager and has been in the flowered industry for 20 year . Currently , he is their Director of Global Grower Operations and Research based in Kent , Ohio . Since 1954 , Smithers - Oasis has grown into a leading global maker and trafficker of floral foam , floral design tools and accessories , cellular growing metier , postharvest products , temperature - controlled promotional material , and specialized froth .
Rapaka received his Ph.D. in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Hanover . His expertise includes inquiry and innovation .
Adam Van Winkle , Stadium FlowersVan Winkle is a third - genesis owner and President of Stadium Flowers and Cascade Floral Wholesale . He is establish in Everett , WA . Stadium Flowers was institute by Adam ’s grandparents in 1947 with a single location . Today , the business currently sells flowers out of three freestanding locations and employ 70 + people .
Van Winkle has been working in the family line stage business since 2006 , with in operation experience in every vista of their retail and wholesale floral business enterprise . He has a cacoethes for business innovation and is always face for manner to meliorate .
fresh OfficersAFE also announced David Garcia , President of Pete Garcia Company / Garcia Group base in Peachtree Corners , GA , has been named Chairman - Elect . He will serve one year in this theatrical role before his Chairmanship begin in September 2024 . He has been serving on the board since 2015 , is a member of the Executive Committee , serves on the Floral Marketing Fund Committee , and is Chair of the Public Relations / Development Committee .
Garcia begin his career at the party in 1983 after calibrate from the University of Georgia . He serve as Zone Manager for 17 states in the U.S. , as well as international territory . He also assist in new product maturation for Plus One Imports , which is part of the Garcia Group , Inc. The Garcia kinfolk established a scholarship investment trust , the Garcia Family Scholarship Fund , through AFE in 2020 , which supports students with a career nidus on the selling or distribution of floral products , including retail , wholesale , fabrication , and/or floral business ownership / operation .
Bill Foster , chief executive officer of BioWorks base in Victor , NY , will also be connect the Executive Committee with his new designation as Treasurer / Secretary - Elect . He joined the control board in 2018 . Bill presently serves on the Research Committee and as Chair of the commission .
Foster is a set up phallus of the Biological Products Industry Alliance . He also served on the Scientific Advisory Board at the Vineland Research and Innovation Center . Foster create a erudition , BioWorks IPM / Sustainable Practices Scholarship , through AFE in 2015 , which supports soph , third-year , or senior student pursuing a career in flower gardening . BioWorks is a appendage of Biobest Group .
Outgoing TrusteesCompleting their terms on the AFE Board are Cindy Hanauer , CEO of Grand Central Floral in Jacksonville , Florida , and Tim Galea , President of Norton ’s Flowers & Gifts in Ypsilanti , MI .
Cindy Hanauer originally join the board in 2014 and served two full full term before continuing on as an Emeritus Member from 2020 - 2023 . Her meter on the board focus chiefly on the Public Relations / Development and Floral Marketing Fund commission . Hanauer has continuously share her expertise in communication and marketing both with AFE like a shot and the industry as a whole through collaborative projects and article .
Tim Galea joined the panel in 2020 and serve a full condition . He bring in a retail merchant perspective and shared his knowledge with over 50 years in the industry . Galea ’s expertise is in financial management , flowered intent , and leaders . During his time on the board , he served on the Public Relations / Development and Floral Marketing Fund committees . Galea has also served on the Society of American Florists ’ Board of Directors and as Treasurer and Region Director of the Michigan Floral Association .
Both have render their leadership and expertness to AFE ’s program and imagination and have helped advance AFE ’s mission . AFE extends a HUGE thank you to both Cindy and Tim for their clip and commitment to help pave the hereafter for the Endowment ’s activities .
AFE Trustees dedicate their sentence , expertness , and resource to bring forward our industry through AFE . The Endowment appreciates and values their investing in our industry .
For more information : American Floral EndowmentTel . : +1 ( 703 ) 838-5211www.endowment.org
