2017 Hall of Fame Award Winners

WUMFA is pleased to announce the 2017 Hall of Fame Award Winners!  The winners were announced and presented their awards at the Hall of Fame banquet held Saturday evening at the WUMFA Annual Convention!

Nominate that special WUMFA member to receive a 2018 WUMFA Hall of Fame Award.  Click here to nominate someone for a WUMFA Hall of Fame Award.

Grower Of The Year

Schroeder’s Flowers is 2017 WUMFA Grower of the Year
Schroeder’s Flowers, Green Bay, Wisconsin, was honored as the Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association’s Grower of the Year at the group’s annual convention held in the Wisconsin Dells. The award is presented to a WUMFA member that has done an outstanding job growing and distributing products to retailers as well as doing service to their community.

The company was established in 1899. Throughout the years more greenhouses and a retail outlet was added to the business. Today the wholesale business provides bedding plants for shops all over Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Fox Valley Greenhouse in DePere, Wisconsin is the firm’s grower division which welcomes customers during their April open house each year to see the newest products.

The award was accepted by fifth generation owners Charles and Peggy Schroeder.

Wholesaler of the Year

Krueger Wholesale is honored by WUMFA

Krueger Wholesale Florist, Rothschild, Wisconsin, was chosen Wholesaler of the Year at the 2017 Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association convention. Honored for their contribution to the advancement of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan floral industry, the company is one of the largest floral distribution firms in the Midwest.

They began as a small family business in 1963 and have grown into a modern 120,000
square foot corporate headquarters and distribution center, 3.5 acres of tropical greenhouses and a logistics division.

In 2013 they won the Wisconsin Grocer Vendor of the Year. They have donated flowers to the Gateway Technical College for their floral design classes and have contributed flowers for special fundraiser events. They were instrumental in making sure flowers arrived on time for this year’s WUMFA convention.

Retailer of the Year

Sharkey’s is WUMFA Retailer of the Year

Amy and Scott Sharkey, Sharkey’s Floral and Greenhouses, Crivitz, Wisconsin, accepted the Retailer of the Year award at this year’s Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association. The honor is given to a member of WUMFA who has done an outstanding job as a florist.

The floral business began in the late 60s when his parents began selling a few buckets of flowers. The flower shop was expanded and greenhouses added. After the parents retired the business was sold to another family. But when it came up for sale in 2005, Amy, who has earned her Certified Florist designation, and  her husband Scott decided to buy it back.

In 2007 they added a commercial apple orchard and then started another business, Beat Your Neighbor Fertilizer. The fertilizer which they use in the greenhouses has grown from a side business to a national entity which has tripled in sales volume.

Special Service Award

Bob Larson is Special Services Award Winner

Bob Larson, AIFD, of Bo-Jo’s Creations, Ellsworth, Wisconsin, is the recipient of the Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association’s 2017 Special Services Award. The award, given to a deserving individual who has dedicated countless hours of service for the betterment of the association, its membership, and oneself,  was presented at the association’s annual convention.

Larson has served in many capacities including association president, convention chair, education committee member, and design instructor. He has given his time and talent creating decorations for the awards banquet and is famous for his decorated cakes donated for special events.

He is currently past president of the Wisconsin Florist Foundation. In addition he has served on the AIFD North Central Chapter board and the Teleflora unit board .

National Service Award

Mike Homyak gets WUMFA National Services Award

The 2017 Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association National Services Award was presented to Mike Homyak, Jr. at the annual WUMFA convention. It is given to a member who provides outstanding service to the floral industry.

Homyak, a Reliant Ribbons representative, grew up watching his father visit floral shops, trade shows and state conventions throughout the Midwest. He is know for his reliability, prompt delivery of orders, and willingness to connect florists with other vendors if he can not satisfy their needs.

He supports WUMFA classes and the convention with product donations and his enthusiasm for the industry. He is great at networking and keeping in touch with the latest trends.

Young Person of the Year

WUMFA Names Rasmussen Young Person of the Year

Jae Rasmussen from Memorial Florist, Appleton, Wisconsin, is the 2017 WUMFA Young Person of the Year. The award was presented at the annual WUMFA convention held in the Wisconsin Dells.

Rasmussen began his floral career at a Fox Valley garden center working his way up from the retail department to wedding and special events designer. Although self taught, he has taken advantage of WUMFA classes to further his education.

He has participated in several WUMFA convention design contests during the last several years placing first and second in several categories. At the convention he has volunteered to help out and looks forward to diversifying his role in the future.

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