Standing Ex-Officio Members:
- Karen Recheck – (Texas Department of Agriculture representative)
- Michelle Carnes – (Texas State Florists’ Association representative)
- Amit Dhingra (TAMU, Department of Horticultural Sciences)
- Amy Graham – (Texas Nursery and Landscape Association representative)
- Jim Ellison – (retired, Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc.)
Karen Reichek
Texas Department of Agriculture |
Michelle Carnes
Texas State Florists’ Association |
The Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA) was established in 1914. Serving the floral community in Texas for more than a century, TSFA remains the premier association for retail florists, growers, wholesalers, floral designers, floriculture teachers and students, manufacturers of floral products and supplies, brokers, shippers, importers, interior plantscapers and others who serve this vibrant industry. TSFA members — and their impact — reach well beyond the state’s borders.
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Amit Dhingra
Texas A&M University
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Amit Dhingra is the Head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Professor of Genomics and Biotechnology, and Senior Scientist at the Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University. The Dhingra research program investigates important biological processes in specialty crops relevant to the current and future needs of agriculture. The knowledge gained is translated to crop improvement through various approaches. He has trained 17 graduate students and several post-doctoral scientists, and over a hundred undergraduate students, and in 2017, he was awarded the Council on Undergraduate Research National Biology Mentor award. He has published more than 85 high impact peer-reviewed journal articles. He serves on the editorial board of five internationally reputed plant science journals. He has been awarded three US and three international patents on regulating ripening in fruits to reduce post-harvest wastage. Dr. Dhingra’s research has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, BBC, The Times of London, and several other news outlets. Amit founded Phytelligence Inc., an agriculture biotechnology spin-off out of his lab in 2011. He has recently started his second start-up, Qualterra Inc. (www.qualterraag.com), an agricultural technology company that is creating innovations for agriculture and sustainability. He is also involved with Moolec Science (https://moolecscience.com/), a plant-based, alternative protein production company that was recently listed on Nasdaq, and Ryp Labs (https://www.ryplabs.com/), a post-harvest technology start-up, in the capacity of their Chief Science Officer. Additional information about Dr. Dhingra’s professional activities can be obtained at |
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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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Amy Graham
Texas Nursery and Landscape Association |
| President, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. |
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