member spotlight
A+ honors for teleflora educators at SAF Two members of Teleflora’s education team were honored at this year’s Society of American Florists convention in Phoenix: Jerome Raska AIFD, AAF, PFCI, CAFA, received the 2013 Tommy Bright Award, given to recognize lifetime achievement in the presentation of floral ideas, information, and design, from SAF’s Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI). With a reputation as one of the industry’s most entertaining and energetic speakers, Jerome has also served as chairman of PFCI and has been a tireless advocate for the speakers’ group. In addition, he has held leadership with other floral-industry organizations, including AIFD, Teleflora’s Michigan Unit, and the Michigan Floral Association. He co-owns Blumz…by JRDesigns in Detroit, MI. One of Jerome’s achievements as chairman of PFCI was to raise awareness of the Sylvia Cup Design Competition, which takes place annually during SAF’s annual convention. Instituted in 1967, the Sylvia Cup is the U.S. floral industry’s longest-running annual, live national floral design competition. This year’s winner? Teleflora Education Specialist Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, PFCI, AZMF, of Tucson, AZ. Congratulations, Joyce and Jerome!
kudos to top teleflora members everywhere! They include David Goodman, AMF, of Mary & Martha’s Florist in Arkadelphia, AR—the new president of the Arkansas Florists Association! Seen here with Teleflora TSM Marty Pulliam and Teleflora Chairman Tom Butler; Rakini Chinery, owner of Allan’s Flowers in Prescott, AZ, seen with Teleflora’s Cathy Reifschneider; Russ and Lisa Siegert of Crystal Springs Florist in Benton Harbor, MI; Janine Kreiter of Flowers of Edina in Edina, MN, seen with Dan Natalizio; Sandy Ferguson of Allen’s Flowers in Columbia, MO, with Terry Brueggeman; John Pelzer of Busch’s Florist and Greenhouse in Jefferson City, MO; Humberto Sanchez of Las Cruces Florist in Las Cruces, NM; Pat Lawson of Flowers by Pat in Warr Acres, OK, seen with Tom Butler and Teleflora TSM Suzi Lawrence; Richard Shumake of Morrison’s in Oklahoma City, OK; Marisa Guerrero AIFD and Sandra Blanco, TMF of Debbie’s Bloomers in El Paso, TX; Lennie, Irma and Rafael Delfin of Heaven Sent Florist in El Paso; Patti Deblass of Schmidt’s Flowers & Accessories in Williamsburg, VA, seen with Teleflora TSM Shawn Keith; Kathy Spear AIFD of Kathy & Co. in Burlington, VT, with Tom Butler; and Lacy O’Connell of Lakeview Floral in Menomonie, WI, with Teleflora’s Dan Natalizio.
oct/nov 2013 | myteleflora news
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