ALEXANDRIA — The quiet but far-reaching impact of a wholesaler from Atlanta was acknowledged Sept. 23 as Ramon Garcia, AAF, received the 2010 SAF Paul Ecke Jr. Award. Hundreds of industry members attending the SAF Industry Awards Dinner at SAF Orlando 2010 applauded as the Pete Garcia Co. vice president stepped up to accept the honor.
“The Paul Ecke Jr. Award recognizes individual dedication to one’s business, to the industry as a whole and to one’s community — three things that my father stood for,” said Paul Ecke III of the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, Calif., as he presented the award. Throughout his career, Garcia has demonstrated his deep devotion to the highest levels of integrity, professionalism and generosity. Working most often behind the scenes through quiet counsel and with a passion for teamwork, "his contributions have been many and his influence indisputable.”
Read more about this year's honoree below.
For more information about SAF awards or to nominate an industry member for a 2011 honor, visit www.safnow.org/awards or contact Shelley Estersohn, (800) 336-4743, awards@safnow.org.
Ramon Garcia AAF
When Ramon Garcia's brother Pete asked him if he would help build sales for the fledgling Pete Garcia Co. in 1970, Ramon had every reason to say no. The job would take him on the road for weeks at a time, and he had promised Brenda, his wife of just six months, that he would not take a job that required him to be away from her for long stretches. Forty years later, Brenda laughs at the memory, saying, ‘I made him promise he’d never be a traveling salesman, but in the end I had to eat my words. I’m glad I did.’
Today, Ramon is on the road less, but is as busy as ever in his role as vice president of the company, charged with communicating daily with factories around the world and maintaining relationships with wholesalers across the country. And as his brother Pete says, Ramon has been a part of every decision and every challenge.
Although it may be difficult to pinpoint the one or two accomplishments that are the foundation of Garcia’s successful career, one fact remains clear: His contributions have been many and his influence is indisputable. In his day-to-day business affairs he provides quiet counsel, displays a passion for teamwork, lets others shine and demonstrates the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.
Garcia's dedication to the industry parallels his commitment to his company. He has served it in many ways. He was a member of the SAF board of directors from 1997 to 1999 and held the all-important role of SAF treasurer from 1997 to 1999. Garcia is also a past chairman of the SAF Convention Committee and has served on the SAF Wholesalers Council and Consumer Marketing Committee. At two of the presidential inaugurations coordinated by SAF, Garcia was an active volunteer.
For the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association, Garcia has served as a mentor in its Management Institute and as a member of its strategic think tank.
Closer to home, Garcia has been equally active, serving in leadership positions in his church and the Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council. Ramon has also served as commander of his local American Legion post, frequently visiting the group’s members in hospitals and driving them to and from various meetings. He also recently helped recruit a college student to transcribe veterans’ wartime experiences for future generations. He is a Vietnam veteran and last spring participated in the Honor Flight Network, a nationwide program to bring World War II veterans to the new memorial in Washington, D.C. It was an emotional event for Garcia and showed his commitment to ensuring veterans receive the respect and honor they deserve.
Source: Society of American Florists