•  Jim Ellison – (retired, Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc.)
• Richard De Los Santos – (Texas Department of Agriculture representative)
• Dianna Doss Nordman – (Texas State Florists’ Association representative)
• Amy Graham – (Texas Nursery and Landscape Association representative)
• Lela Kelly – (Dosatron International, Inc.)

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Jim Ellison   Retired, Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc.

Mr. Jim Ellison served as President of Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc. for a number of years until his retirement. He received a BS in Agri-Business at New Mexico State University.  He is President of the Brenham Country Club, life member of Texas State Florist Association and involved with Rotary International and Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Jim’s Texas A&M University activities include TAMU College of Ag. Development Council, TAMU Research Foundation Council and Capital Campaign.

 

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Richard De Los Santos   Texas Department of Agriculture

Serves as State Coordinator for Horticulture, Produce and Forestry Marketing for the Texas Department of Agriculture.  Managed the marketing division’s USDA Specialty Crop funds of more than $1 million. Currently manages the Trade and Business Developments Marketing Specialty Crop Block Grant and Federal State Market Improvement Program Grants of more than $1 million. Supervises a Program Specialist that works with me on both the Specialty Crop Block Grant and the Federal State Market Improvement Program Grants. In 2011 to 2012 was able to secure a partner to double the funds available for a Texas Vegetable and Southwest Dairy marketing Campaign. Total funds reached more than $170K and will reach more than 2 million Texans. Develops marketing promotions with schools with a result in sales of produce to schools increasing to $2.04 million during the 2007-2008 school year. This is up from $1.89 million during the 2006-2007 school year.  Farmers markets saw a 5 percent increase in sales of fresh produce as a result of promotions.

 

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Dianna Doss Nordman   Texas State Florists’ Association

Executive Director of Texas State Florists’ Association.

 

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Amy Graham   Texas Nursery and Landscape Association

President, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.

 

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Lela Kelly   Dosatron International, Inc.

Lela Kelly has owned a greenhouse operation in Long Island, New York for over 11 years. Lela devotes much of her time to the horticultural industry by serving on boards such as FIRST (Floriculture Industry Research Scholarship Trust) and OFA (Ohio Florists’ Association). Lela’s business responsibilities include traveling the US doing trade shows and Dosatron maintenance seminars for growers. Lela and her husband, Eddy Kelly own Dosatron International, Inc. located in Clearwater, FL.