Friend of the Industry
Overview: An individual from outside the association who has contributed to the advancement or improvement of the nursery and landscape industry. To nominate an individual for this award, contact FNGLA's Tal Coley.
Past Winners:
2023
Chris Moran
UF/IFAS
2022
Trevor Smith, Ph.D.
FDACS Division of Plant Industry
2020
Claire White
USDA-Risk Management Agency
2020
Jeff Caster
Florida Department of Transportation
2019
Michael Dukes, Ph.D.
UF/IFAS
2018
Charles LaPradd
Miami-Dade County
2017
Jackie Moalli
FDACS | Fresh From Florida
2017
Melissa Hunt
FDACS | Fresh From Florida
2016
Deirdre Irwin
St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL
2015
Tyson Emery
FDACS Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL
2014
Ananth Prasad, P.E., Secretary
Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL
2013
Commissioner Adam Putnam
Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Friend of the Industry
2011: Terril Nell, Ph.D, University of Florida / Environmental Horticulture
2010: Charles Bronson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
2009: Not awarded
2008: Marty Bowen, Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives; Jimmy Cheek, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of the University of Florida - IFAS
2007: Mario Diaz-Balart - U.S. Congressman; Ken Kuhl - FDACS Office of Water Policy
2006: Kevin Kelley - Florida State Director - USDA
2005: Leslie Palmer - Federal State Director - FDACS; Richard Gaskalla - Director - Division of Plant Industry
2004: Richard Gaskalla - Director - Division of Plant Industry
2003: Belinda G. Chason - Florida Department of Education
2002: Representative Richard Machek - Palm Beach County Area
2001: Lois Ann Sorensen - Southwest Florida Water Management District