Vision and History -  Brian Vetter, ASFA Past President AAF, AIFD, PFCI, AzMF

In March of 1952 at the Crystal Room of the Adams Hotel in downtown Phoenix, the FTD Florists of the State of Arizona met to discuss the need for a State Florists Association dedicated to strengthening the floral community and working together to promote the floral industry to the general public. The matter was discussed from all angles for hours on end.

Eventually the decision to move forward was reached and a committee consisting of Jack Baker, Tom Inglis, and Carl Seidner was appointed to draw up a constitution and bylaws.

A month or so later the committed reported on its findings to a meeting of local florists. At the time Arizona was the only state without such an organization so it was voted on unanimously to proceed. The constitution and bylaws were approved. The first board of officers elected to serve were Jack Baker, President; Tom Inglis, First Vice-President; Harlan Dole, Second Vice-President, and Carl Seidner, Secretary/Treasurer.

The first Convention site was approved and the date was set for July 4th 1952. The first ASFA Convention was held at the Shrine Temple in Phoenix. Jack Norman was program chair, and Horace Head of Palm Springs Calif was the first guest designer.

ASFA has gone through may changes over the years from updating the bylaws and logos, to expanding its outreach, updating technology and keeping up with the changing times.  ASFA is proud to be one of the oldest associations of its kind still true to its original goals of helping the florists statewide to work together to build a stronger, healthier industry, a positive image to the local communities, and a dedicated group of individual to continue to see the needs, address them and invent solutions and make success possible for all involved.

ARIZONA STATE FLORISTS’ ASSOCIATION  “ASFA FLORAL HALL OF FAME”

The “Floral Hall of Fame” award is the highest honor offered to a member of ASFA.  This award is presented to individuals who have brought honor, pride and distinction to the Association through their actions in the state and across the country.  The following persons have been named to the Floral Hall of Fame in past years.

2005 Tony Medlock AIFD, PFCI, AzMF
1999 Claire Ortloff AIFD, AzMF
1999 Joyce Mason—Monheim AIFD PFCI, AzMF
1998 Joe & Betty Conroy
1992 Kenny Watanabe, AIFD
1991 Paul Miller AIFD, PFCI
1990 Mike Sinanovic AIFD
1988 Fordyce Steinhour

ARIONA STATE FLORISTS’ ASSOCIATION “ASFA HONORARY/LIFETIME MEMBERS”

The “Honorary/Lifetime Member” award is presented as an acknowledgment of dedicated service and commitment to the Association.  Individuals who are presented with this award have made significant contributions to the ongoing success of the Association.  The award may be presented to individuals in or out of the floral industry and they do not need to be a member of the Association.  The following individuals have been presented with the Honorary/Lifetime Member award in past years.

2007 Brian Vetter, ASFA Past President AAF, AIFD, PFCI, AzMF
2006 Kenny Watanabe AIFD
2004 Paul Butterbrodt AAF
2003 Phil Rulloda, AIFD, PFCI
2001 Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD,PFCI, AzMF
2000 Bob and Hope Cohen
1999 Bruce Foracre
1998 Gary Hosta
1996 Fordyce Steinhour
1995 Ron McBain
1995 Fritz Ruiz (Deceased)
1995 Patricia Coleman (Deceased)
1994 Dave Payne
1993 Elaine Baker (Deceased)
1990 Sharon Luoma, AAF
1989 Elmer Sheinbein, AAF
1988 Joe Conroy (Deceased)
1987 Charles Noble (Deceased)


ARIZONA STATE FLORISTS’ ASSOCIATION “VENDOR RECOGNITION AWARD”

First established in 1994 with the intention of honoring vendors who have supported and continued to contribute to the goals of the Arizona State Florists’ Association.  The Awardees are presented & announced at the Annual Convention which is held in July of each year.

Awardees:
2008 Syndicate Sales
2007 Smithers-Oasis
2006 Cathy Reifschneider (Teleflora)
2006 Askren & Sons, Inc
2005 Baisch & Skinner Wholesale
2004 Greenleaf Wholesale Florists
2003 Mayesh Wholesale Florists, Inc.
2002 US Expo & Convention Services
2001 Container Source
2000 Dreamweaver
1999 Askren & Sons, Inc.
1998 Designer Dispatch
1997 Lion Ribbon
1996 The John Henry Company
1995 Associated Merchandisers
1994 H & J Marketing

ARIZONA STATE FLORISTS’ ASSOCIATION “Greenleaf Award Winners”

This Award is sponsored by Greenleaf Wholesale Florists of Phoenix, Arizona.  It is given every year to an individual that has gone “Above and Beyond” in their efforts to help strengthen the Arizona State Florists’ Association and our industry in general.  Greenleaf Wholesale Florist shows their appreciation by presenting this award.  The 2009 award will be announced at the President’s Awards Function.

2009 Gail Chronister AzMF, AIFD
2007 Jodi Medlock
2006 Claire Martza
2005 Brian Vetter AIFD, PFCI, AzMF
2004 Askren & Sons
2003 Janice A Myers
2002 Cathy Reifschneider
2001 Tony Medlock, AIFD, PFCI,AzMF
2000 Dan Bleakney, AzMF
1999 Maxine Hall
1998 Bob Martin
1997 Claire Ortloff AIFD, AzMF
1996 Denise Steinhour
1995 Gerhard Monheim
1994 Cathy Grim AIFD
1993 Fordyce Steinhour

Past Presidents of the Arizona State Florists' Association

1952 Jack Baker                              1953 Bobbie Hoblet
1954 Ed McDonald                          1955 A.E. Lowman
1956 Jack Norman                          1957 Jack Norman
1958 Floyd A Plagge                       1959 Elaine Baker
1960 Hale Burns Jr                         1961 Harlan Dole
1962 William Mc Cullough             1963 Walter Rumney
1964 Walter Rumney                      1965 Ken E Eckle
1966 Jack Norman                          1967 Marvin Howe
1968 Dave Payne                             1969 Guy Throop
1970 Cliff Campbell                         1971 Don Butterbrodt
1972 Dick Chicoine                          1973 Jack Chicoine
1974 Eileen Frank                            1975 Benton Burns
1976 Carlton Pitts                             1977 Bill Edwards
1978 Phil Rulloda AIFD                   1979 Phil Rulloda AIFD
1980 Kathy Meeker                           1981 Fordyce Steinhour
1982 Fordyce Steinhour                  1983 Fordyce Steinhour
1984 Sharon Luoma                        1985 Calvert Hall
1986 Jack Grusenmeyer                 1987 Mike Sinanovic
1988 Rochelle Hughes                    1989 Dick Alves
1990 Sandy Fox                                 1991 David Nolan
1992 Fritz Ruiz                                   1993 Cathy Grim
1994 Ken Young                               1995 Claire Ortloff
1996 Kathy Martin                             1997 Bill Cummings
1998 Joyce Mason-Monheim         1999 Joyce Mason-Monheim
2000 Tom Hall                                   2001 Tony Medlock
2002 Tony Medlock                           2003 Julie Burger
2004 Shonda Cunningham            2005 Shonda Cunningham
2006 Brian Vetter                              2007 Brian Vetter
2008 Jana Greene