News from KNLA
Saying Goodbye to Two Awesome Board Members Eric Garris,
Brent Grunfeld,
Guthrie Center – Formerly at Bernhiem Forest
Monrovia
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rent has been on the KNLA Board for years and had event planning down to a science. Brent is a doer in life and was definitely a doer on the KNLA Board. During our rough two-year timeframe, it seems likely that the KNLA may not have made it through without his leadership. Brent led the planning and execution of the Winter Education and Expo, our largest funded event of the year. He worked with designing logos, creating mailers, scheduling timeframes, procuring spaces, catering, loose ends — he really did it all! Although that was where Brent felt that he contributed most, he was present in everything KNLA and very thoughtful in his suggestions for ways to improve the association overall. In my first year of Executive Directorship, Brent helped to keep me on task, called when he thought I was missing something or needed to think something through further. He had this process down and honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without this past year to learn from him. Brent is a well-liked member of our Board of Directors and we all miss him. Brent is now hopefully able to spend more time with his family and friends, go on those trips that he always said “no” to, and continues to hit home runs for Monrovia! Thank you for your friendship, wisdom, and guidance, Brent!
Welcoming our New Vice President,
Jeff Wallitsch,
Wallitsch Garden Center
Nurs ery Views • Summ er 2019
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eff Wallitsch has worked at his family’s business, Wallitsch Garden Center, learning the ins and outs of the business and gleaning everything there is to know from his parents. Jeff has recently moved into more of a leadership role at Wallitsch as he transitions to ownership in the hopes of continuing to provide quality plants and service for many years to come. We really appreciate his ability to provide his leadership to this organization as well!
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ric has also been on the KNLA Board for quite some time and had his own special set of talents that he brought to the table all year long. Eric was the person we turned to at trade show time when we were discussing CEU’s and how to report, when to report, what to report, and who to report it to. He was the CEU paperwork magician! Eric had a pulse on what Arborists, specifically, needed and wanted and was always super helpful in providing the pertinent information needed to have a successful educational outing. Eric not only was helpful with CEU’s, he was always there on “Game Day” ready to help set up, help organize the speakers, presenters, and help make sure that everything went smoothly. We are happy for Eric in that he is working at the Guthrie Center in Bardstown managing projects for them. I’m sure he is doing a fantastic job and we hope he is enjoying every bit of it! Eric, we miss that friendly smile that you always provided to each and every one of us and your unwavering assistance to do whatever it takes. Thank you for your friendship, positive energy, and knowledge!
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Wallitsch either at a KNLA event or at Wallitsch Garden Center, you are truly missing out! Jeff has a been a board member for quite some time and has displayed immaculate character and strong work ethic in everything that has been put in front of him. Jeff has been front and center at all of the KNLA Winter Education Expos and Summer Outings checking folks in, printing badges, taking money and really just making sure that everything went smoothly for those events. He is also proficient with technology and helping us to be more innovative and streamlined. On that note, Jeff is currently working hard to bring our website into the 21st century. Over the past year, we have purchased a new membership and events database that will be seamlessly built into a new website for the KNLA. It will be fantastic and really easy to navigate. Please help us to welcome Jeff as our new Vice President of the KNLA. We look forward to his many ideas and leadership in the years to come!
