Certified Plant Professional Update

On September 19, 2023, 22 individuals sat for the Certified Plant Professional (CPP) exam at Pike Nurseries in Charlotte, NC. Thank you to Annie Saunders and Wayne Jours of Pike Nurseries’ Georgia-based training team for their support and assistance in hosting this exam.

Congratulations to the following individuals who earned their CPP accreditations:

Paige Van Mersbergen, Trademark Homescapes Inc.

Lisa Marie Paione, Pike Nurseries

Gregory Pierce, Pike Nurseries

Eric Bell, Pike Nurseries

Peter Freund, Pike Nurseries

Adriana Marsh, Pike Nurseries

Elisabeth Davis, Pike Nurseries

Patricia Pruitt, Pike Nurseries

Trey Plunket, Pike Nurseries

Julia Canipelli, Pike Nurseries

NCNLA would also like to recognize the following professionals who recently renewed their CPP certifications (as of September 26, 2023):

Christopher Hart Chatham, Central Greenhouse & Nursery

Paul Young Jr., Greene Central High School

In Memoriam

Orval Wall Jones, 75, passed away Sept. 30, 2023, at his home. Born May 26, 1948, in Forsyth County to the late Merlin Jennings Jones and LaRue Wall Jones, Orval was a loving husband, father and grandfather. The owner of Elite Landscape Service and Nursery since 1977, he was hardworking and had a passion for farming, specializing in strawberries. He was known by everyone in the green industry and never met a stranger.

Attention, CPPs coming up on their renewal date of January 31, 2024!

You will have a chance to renew at the CPP breakfast held at Green & Growin’ on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:30 AM, or you can access the renewal form at www.ncnla.com.

For more information about the CPP program, to renew your CPP certification or to register for an upcoming exam, visit www.NCNLA.com or email education@ncnla.com.

In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and fishing. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sylvia Mae Nelson Jones; two sons, Eric Jones and Brent Jones (Wendy); eight grandchildren, Zachary Nelson Jones, Ethan Hansen Jones, Alexander Christian Jones, Ella Cleo Jones, Reese Charlotte Jones, Sierra Mae Jones, Sydney Ann Jones and Summer Marie Jones; and one sister, Shelba Jones Rominger.

Scan the QR code for Orval’s full obituary, or view on the web at https://legcy.co/3Q76JIV.