People and Events

People

Mark Weathington has been appointed as the new director of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Weathington has a long horticultural history, officially starting in the field in 1991 as assistant manager for Laurel Creek Nursery. His public garden experience commenced in 1996 as a Horticulturist for Atlanta Botanical Garden. In 1999 he joined the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, Va., as director of horticulture and facilities for the 155 acre garden. In 2007 he was appointed assistant director of the JCRA.

The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) announced the selection of Corey Connors as its new executive director. Connors will fill the vacancy created by Ross Williams’ retirement on Dec.1, 2014. The selection was made after a national search and selection process by NCNLA. Connors served as director of legislative relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association from 2007 – 2010. Since 2011 he has served as senior director of government relations for the Society of American Florists.

Pleasant View Gardens has hired Adam Moseley as research and development new plant identification manager. Moseley will represent Pleasant View within the Proven Winners trial group and make evaluations of new plant material that would particularly enhance the PVG product line. Moseley comes to PVG from the University of Florida where he was a research assistant in the Environmental Horticulture Department, managing multiple research greenhouses, coordinating research breeding and trials, and contributing hands-on breeding.

Dramm Corp. has announced Fritz Dramm as the new fertilizer production and compliance manager. Fritz has more than 20 years of experience in a management and production role. Fritz will be handling many different roles, including creating and maintaining fish scrap supplier relations, documenting standard operation procedures and assisting with plant equipment sourcing and upgrades at the Dramm Fish plant located in Algoma, Wis. Fritz will assist with all matters of regulatory compliance including OMRI certification.

Arborjet recently announced the addition of Emmett Muennink as Southwestern regional technical manager and Dawn Sherman as Midwest regional technical manager. Both will also serve as members of Arborjet’s Urban Forest Tech Teams.

David Culp, vice president of sales and marketing with Sunny Border Nurseries, Inc., received the 2014 Garden Media Award from the Perennial Plant Association. This award is given each year to an individual whose educational and promotional efforts have increased awareness of perennials and the perennial industry.

Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, announced the appointment of Darrin Batisky as the newest area sales manager for the North American turf and ornamentals (T&O) business. In his new role serving the Kentucky, Southern Indiana and Central, and Southern Ohio markets, Batisky is responsible for the growth and maintenance of user relationships and initiating buyer opportunities.
 

Events

MARCH

35th Annual SAF Congressional Action Days
When: March 9-10
Where: Washington, D.C.
For more: www.safnow.org

Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza
When: March 21
Where: Cherry Creek Golf Club, Shelby Charter Township, Mich.

When: March 28
Where: Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Wilmington, Del.
For more: www.provenwinners.com

APRIL

California Spring Trials
When: April 11-16
Where: California
For more: www.SpringTrials.com

JULY

Cultivate ‘15
When: July 11-14
Where: Columbus, Ohio
For more: www.cultivate15.org

SNA
When: July 21-23
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
For more: www.sna.org

33rd Perennial Plant Symposium
When: July 27-Aug. 1
Where: Baltimore, Md.
For more: www.perennialplant.org

Do you have a personnel announcement or an event you’re hosting? Send press releases to mmcclellan@gie.net.