News from VNLA

2020 VNLA Board of Directors

Above: front row left to right

Marshall Saunders: Saunders Brothers Nursery, Orchard and Farm Market, NLA Membership Engagement Chair

Shellie Archer: VNLA Executive Director

Seana Ankers: Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape, VNLA Board Vice President, Legislative Committee Chair

Chris Dowdy: Bennett’s Creek Nursery, Research Foundation Committee

Cecilia Palmer: West Winds Nursery and Shade Tree Farm, VNLA Continuing Education Committee Chair

Christopher Brown, Jr.: Lancaster Farms, VNLA Board President, Research Foundation Committee Chair

Matt Deivert: South Riding Nurseries, MANTS Board Representative, VNLA Continuing Education Committee

Robin McCall: Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service, VNLA Continuing Education Committee

Above: back row left to right

Nicholas Dzurenda: Virginia Tech student

Brent Hunsinger: Brent’s Native Plantings, VNLA Immediate Past Board President, Research Foundation Committee Co-Chair

Jeff Riggleman: Kohler Equipment

Warner Winthrop: Colesville Nursery

Neal Beasley: Timmons Group, VNLA Certification Committee Chair Not in photo

Jeff Howe: Windridge Landscaping, VNLA Board Secretary/Treasurer, Certification Committee

David Seward: Horticulture Department Head Reynolds Community College, VNLA Certification Committee

Dr. Laurie Fox: Hampton Roads Agriculture Research Extension Center, VNLA Certification Committee

Congrats to our Award Winners!

2019 Environmental Steward Award recipient John Magee

2020 Professional of the Year Award Wes Bray and his wife.

2020 Professional of the Year Award Wes Bray with Christopher Brown Jr.

Welcome New Entomologist, Dr. Alejandro Del Pozo Valdivia

VNLA would like to welcome Dr. Alejandro Del Pozo Valdivia into the Virginia turfgrass community. Dr. Valdivia is originally from Lima, Peru. There he earned his B.S. in Agronomy at La Molina Agrarian University. He studied at Washington State University and obtained his M.S. in Entomology before earning his doctorate at North Carolina State University.

He will begin work on August 10th. He will be responsible for the entire state and will be based at the Hampton Roads AREC. •

Dr. Alejandro Del Pozo Valdivia

Congratulations New Virginia Certified Hoticulturists!

Given the current and evolving circumstances due to COVID-19, the VNLA had to postpone all of its upcoming Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) exams. As soon as appropriate, the VCH exams will be rescheduled. Thank you all for your understanding and patience. The VNLA values your membership and appreciates your understanding and support for each other and the actions we are all taking to keep everyone safe and healthy.

So far in 2020, below are the newest Virginia Certified Horticulturists:

Lauren FitzHugh, Colesville Nursery

Mike Atkinson, Green Side Up Landscaping, Inc.

Jack Bloor, John Richmond Landscaping, Inc.

Andres Lowery, BWS Landscaping

Michelle Chatham, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Anna Niemeyer, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Trip Coleman, SiteOne

Wade Waller, Ruppert Landscape

April Sullivan, Individual VNLA Member

Alda Krinsman, Individual VNLA Member

Maraea Harris, Individual VNLA Member

Addison Weinbrecht, Individual VNLA Member

Sara Ruckman, Meadows Farms Nurseries & Landscape

Glenn Louis, Meadows Farms Nurseries & Landscape

Barbara Burger, Meadows Farms Nurseries & Landscape

Kate Downey, South Riding Nurseries

Laura Lagaly, Fortney Lawn and Garden

Amy Jones, Merrifield Garden Center

Jared Velasquez, Merrifield Garden Center

Barbara Ryan, Chain Bridge Native Landscapes

Nicole Conners, Green Spring Gardens