Members of the Society of American Florists will vote for three new members for its Board of Directors during SAF Palm Beach 2017, SAF’s 133rd Annual Convention, Sept. 6-9 at The Breakers in Florida.
“The future of SAF and the quality of SAF programming is affected in large part by the caliber of SAF volunteer leaders, particularly the members of the SAF Board of Directors,” said SAF Chairman Shirley Lyons, AAF, PFCI, of Dandelions Flowers & Gifts, LLC, in Eugene, Oregon.
Election results will be announced on Sept. 9 during the convention’s Keynote Breakfast and Business Session. Once elected, the new members of SAF’s Board of Directors will serve three-year terms beginning after SAF Palm Beach 2017.
To cast an absentee ballot, the voting member must submit a written request on company stationery to SAF by Aug. 7 via mail or fax 703-836-8705. Completed absentee ballots must be received at SAF headquarters by Aug. 28.
The candidates for the Board of Directors are:
GROWERS
Patrick Busch
Len Busch Roses
Plymouth, Minnesota
Patrick Busch is CEO of Len Busch Roses in Plymouth, Minnesota. In addition to roses, the 52-year-old family-run company grows alstroemeria, lilies, gerberas, snapdragons, delphiniums, tulips and blooming plants. Len Busch Roses also operates a wholesale business selling cut flowers, bouquets, blooming and green plants and floral supplies. Busch has Bachelor’s degrees in horticulture and business from Michigan State University. He has been a member of SAF’s Growers Council since 2015. He served as vice president of the Minnesota State Floral Association from 2010 to 2014 and as a board member of the Flower Promotion Organization from 2005 to 2015.
RETAILERS
Doug Fick
Broadway Floral Home and Garden
Portland, Oregon
Doug Fick is president and co-owner of Broadway Floral Home and Garden in Portland, Oregon. He has spent 44 years in the industry, serving as a delivery driver, flower processor, buyer, computer network administrator, web developer, photographer and, occasionally, reluctant designer. Fick has served on the SAF Retailers Council and the Consumer Joint Council. He also served on the Government Affairs Committee and chaired the Floral Management Advisory Committee. He has been a board member of Real Local Florists since 2011.
Tim Galea
Norton’s Flowers & Gifts
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Tim Galea is president of Norton’s Flowers & Gifts, a 125-year-old business in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Galea has spent 48 years in the industry. His expertise is in financial management, floral design and leadership. In 2013, his shop was named Michigan Retail Florist of the Year. He has been a member of SAF’s Retail Council and Consumer Marketing Committee. He is director of the Michigan Floral Association. He has been a volunteer with the United States Jaycees for 18 years.
WHOLESALERS
Nick Fronduto
Jacobson Floral Supply, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
Nick Fronduto is COO of Jacobson Floral Supply, Inc., a 74-year-old family-run business in Boston, Massachusetts. Fronduto has spent 17 years in the industry and his expertise includes operations, purchasing, merchandising, sales and marketing. He is a member of SAF’s Wholesale Council and has held numerous leadership positions with the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association, including education committee chairman, first and second vice president and president. He has been a member of The Produce News’ Floral Marketing editorial team since 2011. Fronduto has a Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. He has been a youth baseball coach since 1998.
