OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals announces the hiring of Adriana Quiñones-Riccardi, M.S. as its Manager – Education & Events, and Jeff Heimberger as its Manager – Information Technology. Quiñones-Riccardi will help develop and implement online and in-person educational programs; Heimberger will manage the association’s technology resources.
“OFA is growing, and we want to ensure that our organization is well prepared to help members be successful. As our relationship with the American Nursery & Landscape Association evolves, the need for additional educational and networking opportunities has expanded,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of both OFA and ANLA. “Additionally, in this rapidly changing business envelopment, the requirement for strong information systems has never been greater. That’s why we are devoting full-time staff resources to managing our information, developing strong technology programs and processes, and developing methods to help our members be successful by using technology.”
“Because I am from the industry I was well aware of OFA, the Short Course, and its other events. I’m very excited to be on the team now, and I look forward to developing additional innovative learning opportunities for members,” said Quiñones-Riccardi.
Quiñones-Riccardi has experience as a nursery propagator, plant records manager, lecturer, curriculum developer, and volunteer program manager. She received both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University.
“There is great opportunity to expand OFA’s technology capabilities so it is well prepared for the future,” said Heimberger. “Technology is changing rapidly, and I’m excited to help OFA be a leader at connecting the industry and delivering services.”
Heimberger returns to his home state following a career in information technology in California. He has a degree in Information Systems and nearly 10 years’ experience in managing multiple network systems.
About the organization: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is the leading horticulture educational association in the United States. It is a not-for-profit, all-industry organization and its core purpose and mission is “to support and advance professional horticulture.” Industry segments served include: garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail and wholesale florists, interior plantscapers, and landscape contractors. OFA is especially known for its outstanding publications and its annual OFA Short Course, U.S. horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace. The OFA Short Course was named the 150th largest trade show among all industry in the United States by the Trade Show News Network. The next Short Course will take place on July 13-16, 2013 in Columbus, Ohio USA.
Source: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals