The American Floral Endowment ( AFE ) has announced the recipients of the inaugural AFE Ambassador Awards ! The AFE Ambassador Award recognize an individual , administration , or institution in the flowered residential area for their exceptional leaders , protagonism , and devoted Robert William Service to the Endowment ’s mission . By acting as an embassador and champion of AFE , the recipient role reenforce the Endowment ’s promotion in floriculture enquiry , education , and excogitation . The honor is chosen through a nominating speech procedure by AFE ’s Board of Trustees . The recipients were announced during AFE ’s Friends of Floral Annual Donor Event and Reception held in conjunction with SAF ’s 2023 Annual Convention in Phoenix . The first - ever recipient of this award , Dr. Marvin Miller of Ball Horticultural Company and Dwight Larimer , formerly of Smithers - Oasis / DESIGN MASTER , were both surprised with the recognition and were honored for their protagonism , backup , and leadership through their involvement with the Endowment . They have gone above and beyond to advertize AFE ’s programs and resources .
Dr. Marvin Miller , Ball Horticultural CompanyDr . Marvin Miller has nearly 40 years of industriousness service as Market Research Manager for Ball Horticultural Company . He has been with the company since 1983 . He has a B.S. in Horticulture and a M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University , and a Ph.D. in Food and Resource Economics , with a major in Agricultural Marketing from the University of Florida . The focus of his enquiry movement involves the changing structure , conduct , and execution of the horticulture industry .
Through AFE , Dr. Miller is a past legal guardian who served multiple terms , continue as an Emeritus extremity , and still sits on the Research Committee . He provides expertise in research for both AFE straight and the Floriculture Nursery and Research Initiative ( FNRI ) project , which the Endowment provides review and recommendations on . Through his long - term affaire with AFE ’s Board and Committees , Dr. Miller has brought a wealth of knowledge – especially highlighting his invaluable expertise in inquiry and offer his unbelievable knowledge bank of information on industriousness statistics and trends .
As an ambassador , Dr. Miller has shared the impactful initiatives of the Endowment across his extensive peer meshwork , leading to a broad recognition of AFE and help to make fresh and collaborative human relationship to support research and programs . He has introduced hundred of people to AFE ’s employment , leveraging his connections across both academia and industry . Dr. Miller not only helps contribute in young donors and connections for AFE but is also a farseeing - time supporter himself . He joins AFE ’s newly announce Consecutive Giving Society with 36 years of consecutive gift . The Endowment is abide by to submit Dr. Marvin Miller with the 2023 AFE Ambassador Award .
Dwight Larimer , retired Smithers - Oasis / DESIGN MASTERDwight Larimer has been an unbelievable embassador to AFE for over a decade . With his 40 + years of industriousness service , he has leverage his noesis and industriousness connections to endorse the industry and AFE . In addition to his terminus as a Trustee , Larimer also assist as AFE ’s Chairman of the Board from 2016 - 2018 .
to boot , and throughout his Board service of process , he served on AFE ’s Education , Floral Marketing Fund ( FMF ) , and PR / Development Committees - serving as Chair for both Education and FMF.With a passionateness for didactics and new master , Larimer helped create AFE ’s Young Professionals Council in 2015 , dish up as the Board Liaison to the group and developing programs to support their professional development . Currently , he still serve as Chair of AFE ’s Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Committee , a computer programme that places undergraduate students in three- , four- , or six - month internships in floriculture production . Larimer ’s calling has been fully dedicate to the floral industry . For nearly 40 old age , Larimer was the President of DESIGN MASTER color tool inc . , offer people of colour nebuliser and accessary products for floral and decorative projects . In 2021 , DESIGN MASTER joined the Smithers - Oasis brand , and in 2022 , he move back . Dwight is an honored colleague , dedicated benefactor , and member of the Consecutive Giving Society with 16 age of successive gift . Beyond their decades of help to AFE , both Marvin and Dwight represent what this award stands for . Wherever they are , they check that AFE is represent and promoted . Both Dwight and Marvin have served in leadership roles for many other organizations and have truly made a long-lasting impact , not only for AFE but for the integral industry .
