Star Roses and Plants announces restructure of woody ornamentals team

Star Roses and Plants has announced a restructuring of its woody ornamentals team, with two promotions and a new hire.

Kristen Pullen has been promoted to director of woody products and will be responsible for the overall strategy and performance of the woody plants program.

Pullen has been with Star Roses and Plants for over a decade and has impacted the development and growth of the woody program. Pullen’s previous role of woody portfolio manager will be filled by longtime team member Mary Woolman.

Woolman will oversee the full pipeline for woody genetics, from trialing to introduction. In her time with the company, she has shown dedication to the woody program and provided guidance to internal and external partners.

To further support the growth of its woody ornamental program, Star Roses and Plants has hired Simon Traskey for the newly created woody technical advisor position. Traskey was brought on to provide technical knowledge to the company’s sales team and external customers.

“I am thrilled with the realignment of our woody ornamentals team and the opportunity to recognize and promote two long-term employees and further develop the team’s impact by adding an additional role,” said Bradd Yoder, president of Star Roses and Plants. “We are often viewed as primarily a bare root rose enterprise, but our woody ornamentals program is one of the fastest growing aspects of our company, and we know that this investment in our team and resources will foster that growth and highlight our previous and future impact in the woody category.”