8/30/2016
American Floral Endowment News
Chris Beytes
Who or what is the American Floral Endowment? Well, if you don’t know, AFE has the solution: a series of videos that tell the story of the important research the organization funds—such as flower shelf-life, pest management, packaging, transportation, consumer trends, social media and marketing. AFE helps develop invaluable information for growers and retailers.
Check out all the videos at http://endowment.org/videos-2/.
Also on the website is a video for students that talks about scholarship, internship and career opportunities in floriculture or horticulture. Share it with students you know!
Tribute Established for Jim Nordlie
Kennicott Brothers Company, Nordlie Inc. and The Pete Garcia Company have established the Jim Nordlie Memorial Tribute through AFE. Kennicott Brothers Co. and The Pete Garcia Co. both contributed $1,000 to establish this new memorial tribute. Jim Nordlie passed away on July 1, 2016 at the age of 93.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim Nordlie since the late ’50s,” said Pete Garcia, Chairman of The Pete Garcia Company. “His personality, drive and traits helped me establish goals for my future. He will be missed.”
Jim was born on January 12, 1923 in Detroit, and received a business degree from the University of Michigan. After graduation and his return from military service in World War II, he joined Nordlie Inc., his family’s Michigan-based wholesale floral business. Under his leadership, Nordlie Inc. expanded to seven stores in Michigan, Ohio and Florida.
Having a passion for roses, Jim managed two rose-growing greenhouses in Ohio and two rose farms in Guatemala. He also served as President of the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association from 1966 to1968. The company merged with Kennicott Brothers Co. in 2014.
GT