"I have been so blessed by the industry," says De La Flor, pictured above.

Floral Management "cover girl" and SAF Palm Springs 2007 presenter Deborah De La Flor, AIFD, PFCI, of De La Flor Gardens in Cooper City, Fla., recently added another title to her repertoire: winner of a Florida State Florist's Association lifetime achievement award.

De La Flor received the association's National Place in the Sun Award on June 9 at its annual convention in Jacksonville. "I was like 'wow -- nice!''' she says.

Established in 1978, the award "recognizes leaders who encourage high standards, service and professional responsibility," says past president Russ Barley, AAF, AIFD, of Emerald Coast Flowers & Gifts in Santa Rosa Beach. Past presidents, past recipients and present officers of the board of directors can each nominate up to three people. 

While FSFA gives out a state Place in the Sun Award annually, it only gives the national award when "we have received enough ballots leaning one way in order to do it," Barley says. Anyone floral industry member, no matter what state they are in, can be nominated for the national award.

De La Flor, who is the first Florida native to win the award, has been working in the floral industry for 27 years. Her interest in flowers, however, began at a young age. "I was inspired by flowers and vegetables in my grandparents' garden," she says.

Since her introduction into the floral industry, she has won numerous competitions and awards, including Greater Miami Designer of the Year, Florida State Designer of the Year and the FTD Great Masters Design Competition.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

 

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