ATLANTA, Ga. – StandPoint recently announced nine talented and visionary growers reached the culmination of their one year Executive Academy for Growth & Leadership (EAGL) program for nursery and greenhouse growers, receiving a continuing education Certificate in Applied Horticultural Business Management from program partner Texas A&M University.
The EAGL program is the first of its kind public-private partnership specializing in strategic business skills for commercial horticulture. It is an intense and personalized year-long, multi-module curriculum designed to improve the competitive position and profitability of the participants’ companies.
A celebratory graduation luncheon was held January 28 at the Emory Conference Center, including a ceremony whereby Dr. Charlie Hall conferred framed certificates upon the nine graduates. Dr. Dan Lineberger, head of the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, presented congratulatory remarks by video. A champagne toast to the inaugural class of students was followed by a ceremonial tassel shifting and celebratory cap-tossing into the unusual Atlanta snow.
Prior to graduation, the executive students each presented their Capstone projects (complete strategic plans for each of their businesses) to an evaluation panel of accomplished executives from other industries who shared insights on each student’s business strategy, operational excellence, and presentation style.
The Alpha class of the EAGL program:
Bryan Abramowski, Rockwell Farms
Dan Batson, GreenForest Nursery
Tom Demaline, Willoway Nursery
Randy Gilde, Delray Plants
Kelly Lewis, Ruppert Nurseries
Kevin Norris, Landmark Nurseries
Ed Overdevest, Overdevest Nurseries
Jason Roseman, Rockwell Farms
Mark Sellew, Prides Corner Farms
The group of executives enrolled in the Beta EAGL class have already begun their coursework, with planned graduation in January 2015. An Alpha class reunion and future-focused cross-pollenation program is being planned for October. Applications for the 2015 Gamma EAGL class will open in June 2014, with a maximum of 15 seats available (note that direct competitors are not accepted in the program in the same year.) To download a free whitepaper on business strategy and marketing, to learn more about the curriculum, visit www.eaglpro.com.
From L to R: Dr. Charlie Hall, Mark Sellew, Tom Demaline, Randy Gilde, Kevin Norris, Dan Batson, Kelly Lewis, Ed Overdevest and Kip Creel. In abstentia: Bryan Abramowski, Jason Roseman.