SAF inducted 10 outstanding industry members to the prestigious ranks of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) this year at SAF Palm Springs 2007. The industry's premier speakers bureau also added new professionals to its roster when SAF inducted four members into Professional Floral Communicators - International (PFCI).

Since 1965, AAF has sought to encourage, measure and recognize professionals — retailers, wholesalers, growers, educators, scientists, designers and allied business people — who have committed their time and energy to the floral industry and their community.

PFCI, established by SAF, is the superior industry resource for the communication of professional floral education.

2007 AAF Inductees:
Mi Lee Berry, AAF, manager/designer of Wesley Berry Flowers in West Bloomfield, Mich.
Paul Brockway, AAF, secretary/treasurer of Conklyn's Florist in Alexandria, Va.
Teresa "Jo" Buttram, AAF, AMF, owner/president of Shirley's Flowers, Inc., in Rogers, Ark.
Lorraine Cooper, AAF, AIFD, ICSF, NCSF, owner of Brady's Floral Gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Charles "Chuck" Johnson, AAF, national accounts/trade relations manager of Smithers-Oasis North America in Kent, Ohio
Eric Nissen, AAF, vice president and owner of Sunshine State Carnations in Hobe Sound, Fla.
Heather Platt, AAF, AIFD, owner of Grower Direct in Edmonton, Canada
Kevin Priest, AAF, president of Cleveland Plant and Flower Company in Parma, Ohio
Rodney "Rod" Saline, AAF, president of Engwall Florist and Greenhouses in Duluth, Minn.
Linda Zoerb, AAF, president of La Crosse Floral Company in La Crosse, Wis.

2007 PFCI Inductees:
Sylvia Bird, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NDSF, a freelance designer and educator in Fort Myers, Fla.
Sylvia Nichols, AIFD, PFCI, a freelance designer and educator in Cheshire, Conn.
Darla Pawlak, AIFD, PFCI, a freelance designer and educator in Essexville, Mich.
Ian Prosser, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NDSF, owner of Botanica International Florist in Tampa, Fla., and Botanica Boca Grande in Boca Grande, Fla.

The application deadline for AAF and PFCI is Feb. 1, 2008.

Ian Prosser, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NDSF, of Botanica International Florist in Tampa, Fla., and Botanica Boca Grande in Boca Grande, Fla.; Sylvia Bird, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NDSF, a freelance designer and educator in Fort Myers, Fla.; Linda Zoerb, AAF, of La Crosse Floral Company in La Crosse, Wis.; Rod Saline, AAF of Engwall Florist and Greenhouses in Duluth, Minn.; Kevin Priest, AAF, of Cleveland Plant and Flower Company in Parma, Ohio; Heather Platt, AAF, AIFD, of Grower Direct in Edmonton, Canada; Eric Nissen, AAF, of Sunshine State Carnations in Hobe Sound, Fla.; Lorraine Cooper, AAF, AIFD, ICSF, NCSF, of Brady's Floral Gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Jo Buttram, AAF, AMF, of Shirley's Flowers, Inc., in Rogers, Ark.; Chuck Johnson, AAF, of Smithers-Oasis North America in Kent, Ohio; and Paul Brockway, AAF, of Conklyn's Florist in Alexandria, Va.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org