HIP Meets Global Standards for Biodegradable Labels
Horticultural Identification Products (HIP) — a customized tag and labeling products company for the horticulture industry — recently announced it had met the standard specification set by ASTM International for its sustainable BioTag labeling products.
The ASTM specification establishes if products made from plastics will compost satisfactorily, including biodegrading at a rate comparable to known compostable materials. Meeting this specification is a sustainability breakthrough for HIP because it means the companies’ BioTag product can be officially considered fully “compostable” based upon the composition of the product.
“Meeting ASTM’s standard specification criteria further emphasizes HIP’s commitment to conservation and environmental awareness,” says Bob Lovejoy, president/CEO of HIP. “We understand the critical need for businesses to have a positive environmental impact and offering BioTag is a way for us to support growers in their sustainability efforts.”
For more information, visit http://www.hiplabels.com.
OFA Announces New Officials
OFA — an Association of Floriculture Professionals — announced at its July 12 annual business meeting, during the OFA Short Course, the election of its OFA president and vice president, as well as the election of five new members and three appointments to the OFA board of directors.
- Bobby Barnitz of Bob’s Market & Greenhouses Inc., Mason, W.Va., was re-elected as president.
- Danny Takao of Takao Nursery, Fresno, Calif., was re-elected as vice president.
The five directors elected to the Board are:
- Mark Foertmeyer of Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse, Delaware, Ohio, elected to the Ohio Grower director position.
- Joe Moore of Lucas Greenhouse, Monroeville, N.J., elected to the Grower At-Large director position.
- Jerry Dill of Dill’s Greenhouse, Groveport, Ohio, elected to the Ohio Garden Center director position.
- Dan Johnston of Tri-State Foliage, Cincinnati, Ohio, elected to the Interior Plantscape At-Large director position.
- David Kuack of GMPro magazine/Branch-Smith Publishing, Fort Worth, Texas, elected to the Allied Trade director position.
In other appointments, Mike McCabe of McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral, Lawrenceburg, Ind., was appointed as Board Liaison to the Executive Committee; Jim Broderick of Plantland Garden Center, Columbus, Ohio, was reappointed by the board of directors as OFA treasurer; and John R. Holmes, CAE, was reappointed as the OFA Executive Director.
For additional information, visit http://www.ofa.org or call (614) 487-1117.
Romas Promoted to President at Burpee
W. Atlee Burpee & Co., a national supplier of seeds, plants and home gardening supplies, has announced that its chief operating officer, Chris Romas, has been promoted to the position of President. Romas will replace former company president, George Ball, who will remain Burpee’s chairman and CEO.
Romas joined Burpee in 1991 as controller and has, since then, advanced through many positions, including chief financial officer. As president, Romas will be responsible for all aspects of managing the Pennsylvania-based company, and all managers will report to him.
For more information on the company, visit http://www.burpee.com.
Ernest Joins Proven Winners’ PR Team
Proven Winners North America LLC has hired Danielle Ernest to a newly created position: public relations and brand development coordinator. The position was created to help boost efforts for Proven Winners’ Spring 2009 campaign and public relations. Her main responsibilities will be building, managing and overseeing all public relations efforts.
She joins Proven Winners from Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. in Michigan, where she promoted Proven Winners ColorChoice line for six years.
To contact Ernest, e-mail her at danielle@provenwinners.com. To learn more about Proven Winners, visit http://www.provenwinners.com.
Hortica Names New CFO
As of July 1, 2008, Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits — insurance and benefits provider for the horticulture industry — has named Joan Lebkuecher, CPA, CPCU, as the company’s new chief financial officer and treasurer. Lebkuecher has been with Hortica for more than 16 years, most recently serving as controller and assistant vice president.
To find out more about Lebkuecher or Hortica, visit http://www.hortica-insurance.com.
