40 UNDER 40 The plantscape industry is Beth Kibler, 39

40 UNDER 40
The Future of the Plantscape Industry
The plantscape industry is changing. The industry founders who started their businesses, with a focus on taking care of the Earth and respecting all things green, are stepping back and letting the next generation take the reins. Who are the young professionals that will lead the industry into the future? They are bright. They are full of fresh ideas. They have embraced the new green movement; understanding the impact that good design can have on, in, and around a building and a city. They are technically savvy. They are involved in their community. They take action. They are ready to grow the industry. PIA is proud to present the next generation and highlight 40 under 40. In the first installment, we are featuring six industry professionals from all across North America.
Column by Amanda Culver
Beth Kibler, 39
Director of Design
Interiorscapes, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama
event company they recommend for all events on campus.”
“The most important aspect of our job is building long term relationships with our clients. I have told new employees that even a small holiday or plant installation might lead to further business with that client. A prime example of this is the Renaissance Ross Bridge Hotel-we started our relationship with them in hard hats, as it was being built. Our first contract was for interior plants and holiday decor. Now we are their exterior landscaping company, we provide the weekly fresh flower arrangements, and we have partnered with them as the official After graduating from Huntingdon College with a bachelor degree in Fine Art and English Literature, Beth worked in the field of Visual Merchandising designing showrooms at the San Francisco, New York, and Atlanta markets, and opening retail stores in the Mid West and throughout the Southeast. Beth came to Interiorscapes, Inc. in 2002, heading up the Events Department, and quickly started to be involved with Design and Sales of interior plants and holiday decor. Beth also spearheaded a new branding package for Interiorscapes including updating the original logo and creating new marketing material featuring the new design. The new logo has been implemented on all company vehicles, letterhead, and website creating a unified brand image that is instantly recognized.
Under her guidance, Holiday Sales have continued to increase every year and have become a huge portion of yearly sales. Beth is also an integral part of the interior plant program, working with new clients and maintaining relationships with existing ones.
“The vision I have for Interiorscapes’ continued growth is to be on the forefront of new services that our clients will require or request in the future. This includes Green Roofs and Living Walls, and to have new plant types and containers in our hands so we can provide our clients with the newest and the best. Our ability to solve problems by providing solutions has made us the go-to company for their needs.”
Beth is involved with the CREW and C.A.H.A.B.A. organizations.
“ I love the industry and where it is going, it’s young, fresh and definitely a great industry to be a part of.” Brad came to the industry in the fall of 2005 after graduating from Salisbury University. Brad majored in Communications and minored in Marketing.He was the Football team Captain and received All-American Honors.
He has learned everything within the industry through hands-on experience and even said, “I definitely watered a few silk plants in my day.” Currently, Brad is in the process of completing the CLT and CLP Certifications.
Recently, he has branched out from the family business into the Maryland and DC metro areas as Oasis Plantscaping. Brad is setting the goal to become the choice Interiorscaper on the East Coast from Maryland to North Carolina.
Oasis Plantscaping is still in its growing phase and Brad wears many hats within the business. He Brad DeHaven, 28
Owner/ Technician
Oasis Plantscaping
Ashburn,Virginia
& DC Metro Area
operates the company as an owner and has routes as a plant technician.
Brad is active within the Plantscape Industry as a member of the PIA Next Generation. He is a part of the website redesign task force in its early stages and helps to plan and facilitate classes at CalScape (PIE for the 2011 Conference.)
“My personal goals for the industry include making our business better by continuing to educate myself and stay fresh with cutting edge trends of the industry. Improving the efficiencies of our industry is a top priority.”
Monday, April 11, 2011
“I would like to see the industry become a mainstream necessity for office environments. Even before Denise Godfrey, 33
Sales
Olive Hill Greenhouses
Fallbrook, California
State University. After getting married in 2000 she joined the family business on a full-time basis, first growing orchids and then transitioning into sales in March 2001. Denise grew up around the family business, Olive Hill Greenhouses. From an early age she helped out in the greenhouse with her dad and helping make deliveries when drivers were on vacation. After earning a BA in Physics at Whittier College, Denise started her Masters in Physics at San Diego Denise's involvement with industry activities began soon after starting at Olive Hill, when she joined the planning committee for Plant Tour Days. In addition, she served on the San Diego County Flower and Plant Association Board of Directors from 2002 to 2008 (serving as President from 2006 to 2008) and on the board of Plants At Work/Green Plants for Green Buildings. they call the vending or cleaning company. We need to make our industry a first priority service that is called when a company moves offices or updates their current location.”
By far her most interesting experience outside the business was her two year fellowship with the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation - a journey with fellow leaders in Agriculture which took her across California, to Washington DC, Mississippi, Louisiana, China and Laos while exploring a wide array of topics. Denise's current activities include continuing to serve on the Board of Green Plants for Green Buildings and leading a 4H Floriculture project in Fallbrook. The Floriculture project has been designed to give 4H families an opportunity to visit local nurseries and greenhouses and learn more about the flowers and plants grown in the region. Denise Godfrey- continued...
"One of my greatest joys is sharing what I love - flowers and plants - with children. 4H has provided a wonderful vehicle to visit local growers with my children and with local families and to share my enthusiasm for plants. Seeing “I grew up in a family business, which is a bit of a different family dynamic for those of you that know. My parents and I work extremely well together as a team and have all grown our business into something we can truly be proud of.”
Air Strength Canada is a commercial service business and our largest division is interior tropical plants and interior seasonal displays. Elliott has 17 years of actual work experience, starting at the age of 15; however, he was born into the industry. After going through my first few years of university the family business demanded more and more of his time. Elliott made the decision to continue his career with the family business. Growing up in Canada, Elliott played hockey in the winter, and basketball in the summer. His two biggest loves are traveling and cars. At 17, he took part in a four day road racing course at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix, Arizona. He even graduated at the top of his class and earned the SCCA racing license. “I wear a lot of hats with regards to actual work that I do with Air Strength. Some days are sales calls, quotations, and designing or installs and maintenance. I also train our the wonder in their eyes as they take in the beauty surrounding them reminds me how lucky I am to work with flowers and plants and to be able to share our plants with others."
Denise visualizes,“More and more people coming to the realization that they are biophiliacs - they have an innate need to be around nature and natural things - and they satisfy this need by surrounding themselves at home, at the office, and in community spaces - indoors and out - with flower and plants. Denise enjoys having fun with her friends and family - Emma, Lily and husband, Will. And cooking, while enjoying the bounty of California grown fruits and vegetables. Elliott Bennett, 31
Vice President
Air Strength Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
employees and do management of various projects throughout our various divisions. We have recently expanded to one of Canada's largest cities which adds a level of excitement to my career right now. The future looks bright!”
In 2007, Elliott earned his CLT with PLANET, around the same time he started attending CalScape and TPIE. “I have met some really great people along the way and they have been a very positive influence in my career.” In 2009, Air Strength Canada won its first award of excellence from PIA and in 2010, an award of distinction from PLANET.
Last year, Elliott joined the PIA Next Generation group and more recently he became the Assistant Chairman of the PIA awards program. “I look forward to helping with this great program and bring some fresh new ideas to help make the program even better for the future.
“The future of this industry is very important to me. Not only from a business perspective but it is such a great industry that it really needs as many good people to get involved and keep it great to ensure a bright future for our industry! Organizations like PIA and Green Plants for Green Buildings are great examples of this.”
Elliott is also involved with the PIA website re-design task force. “I feel the internet is the best way to reach the plantscape industry. I would like to see better ways for interiorscapers and suppliers to be connected easily to create better business relationships to benefit us all.” Elliott believes the ability to easily share knowledge and access education will lead to better practices in sustaining our industry. A higher level of professionalism will create a positive experience for our clients, our staff members, and the environments we create. Robin White Connell, 28
Operations Manager
PLANTation Services
Little Rock, Arkansas
departmental and recruitment organizations and graduated with a double major in Plant Science and Agricultural Business in May of 2005. Robin grew up with a deep love for plants and was very active in high school working in the school greenhouses and participating in the FFA Floriculture Career Development Events. Upon entering college at Louisiana Tech University, she continued her path towards a career in agriculture studying ornamental horticulture. While always staying focused on learning as much as she could about the green industry, she has also always had a passion and drive for educating others on it as well. While attending Louisiana Tech she was involved in many honors, Started by his parents in 1983, Plant Interscapes has become a key player in the interior landscape industry holding positions as one of the top 10 largest firms in the country. Plant Interscapes operates branches in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston and Corpus Christi where Josh travels on a weekly basis overseeing the operations in these branches.
Joshua was born and raised in San Antonio. He attended O’Connor High School where he was heavily involved in the FFA program and the Drum Line. After graduating from high school in 2002, Josh attended Texas A&M University obtaining a degree in Leadership Development in 2006. He In February of 2006, she joined the team at PLANTation Services and has taken on any and all opportunities to grow and learn moving into her current position as Director of Operations in only three years. Robin handles all of the day to day operations, hiring, and training for the company leading a team of ten individuals. She loves challenging her experienced team on learning more and making PLANTation Services a better company.
Robin is also currently serving her two year term on the Plantscape Industry Alliance’s Executive Board as their Education Chair. Recently Robin added the Landscape Industry Certified Interior Manager designation to her credentials. She received her Certified Landscape Technician – Interior title in October of 2006. Joshua Senneff, 28
Director of Operations
Plant Interscapes
San Antonio, Texas
attributes much of his leadership experience from his time spent in the Corps of Cadets commanding Squadron 23 his senior year.
Joshua is a member of the Dominion Rotary Club where he is active on the board. He truly enjoys time spent serving others and has a growing passion to become a positive influence in the lives of others. He Chairs the Club’s Fundraising event, Chipping for Charity Golf Tournament, every year which is responsible for funding After five years in the plantscape industry, Robin has truly gained a deep passion for the industry. “I encourage anyone who expresses interest in what we do to learn more about it. After studying plants all of my life I felt great disappointment in having to discover the interiorscaping industry on my own. I very much enjoy introducing high school and college students to the industry as a possible avenue for their professional lives. I feel that so much can be gained in the way ensuring sustainability for interiorscaping simply by telling people that we exist.” Robin has the total support of her husband Seth and their furry golden retriever children, Oliver and Natalie. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her friends at the lake, gardening and traveling. One of her personal goals is to etch out more time in her busy schedule for volunteering with the Peacekeepers, a young professionals group that volunteers and raises money for the Women and Children’s First Homeless Shelter in Little Rock. Joshua Senneff- continued...
the many charities and philanthropic organizations that the Rotary Club sponsors.
Joshua Co-hosts the SA Rising Stars Radio program each week. The show focuses in on up and coming young professionals in the San Antonio Area by highlighting the path’s they have taken to get where they are. The show has achieved great success booking prominent business, civic, educational, and political leaders.
Joshua holds a key role in the leadership of the interior plantscape industry, recently forming a group of Next Generation Interiorscapers with other young leaders in the industry who challenge each other with the responsibility to create a sustainable future for the industry. He attends a variety of industryspecific conferences throughout the year, has obtained his Certified Landscape Professional and Technician certifications through PLANET and has conducted speaking engagements at industry conferences. In his free time, Joshua enjoys hunting of all types, fly-fishing, cycling, golfing, softball, reading and spending time with his wife Katie and their dogs Penny and Karli.