Arlington Heights, IL (May 20, 2014) — GPN (Greenhouse Product News) announces its 3rd annual selection of 40 Under 40 exemplary young horticulture professionals, nominated by their peers based on personal and professional accomplishments. The 23 men and 17 women who populate the Class of 2014 are featured in the May issue of GPN, online at www.gpnmag.com, and will be honored at a special reception during Cultivate’14, a horticulture tradeshow in Columbus, Ohio, in July.
This year’s class represents all regions of the United States and includes, for the first time, two international members. There are four PH.Ds, a former civil engineer who has mentored more than 50 horticulture interns, two sisters, two brothers, a one-time model who “left the heels behind for muck boots” and a snowboarder who grows wetland perennials for the Smithsonian.
The Tiny Padhye Asiatic lily is named after 40 Under 40 honoree Sonali Padhye in recognition of her research efforts and authorship of more than 30 floriculture trade magazine articles. Jamie Gibson is the recipient of the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Teaching Award. He is the great grandson of J.B.S. Norton, whose daylily varieties bloom today in the U.S. National Arboretum. Bob Dickman is an Iraq War veteran whose organizational skills improved the company’s business efficiency. Joe Bischoff published more than 30 papers on fungal taxonomy, works with legislators and regulators and helped develop key parts of the 2014 Farm Bill.
“This is a diverse and distinguished class of young individuals who hold the keys to the horticulture industry’s future,” says GPN Editorial Director Tim Hodson. “They will take this industry to new and exciting destinations.”
The 40 Under 40 program’s 2014 sponsors include: AmericanHort, BioWorks, ePlantSource, Fine Americas, FlopaK, HGTV Home Plant Collection, Nexus Greenhouse Systems, Nufarm, Oglevee and Proven Winners.
For more information on each member of GPN’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2014, visit www.gpnmag.com/40-under-40. Nomination forms for the Class of 2015 will be available online in June.