Four floral industry members with varied and distinguished experience are set to be inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF). The honorees have earned the prestigious rank by committing their time and energy to both the floral industry and their local communities.
The 2020 AAF inductees are: Debi Chedester, AAF, of American Floral Endowment in Alexandria, Virginia; James DelPrince, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi; Charles Ingrum, AAF, of Dr Delphinium Designs in Dallas, Texas; and Jennifer Thomasson, AAF, AIFD, EMC, PFCI, of Jenny T Floristry in Florissant, Missouri.
The new AAF members will be honored during SAF’s Annual Convention in 2021. SAF has made the decision to cancel SAF Phoenix 2020, where recipients would have been inducted, in keeping with government regulations regarding travel and crowd size. Since there will not be an Annual Convention in 2020, newly selected members of the Academy will be inducted at the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner during SAF’s Annual Convention in 2021 alongside all 2021 inductees. Current recipients can begin using their designation immediately.
AAF members are vetted for volunteering and leadership service to the industry and their communities, and each application must be submitted with several letters of recommendation from local community professionals and peers in the industry.
“The AAF designation is recognized throughout our industry as a special honor for individuals who contribute to the floral trade and to their communities,” said SAF Awards Committee Chair Lori Wheat, AAF, of Lafayette Florist, Gift Shop & Garden Center in Lafayette, Colorado. “This group is acknowledged for their leadership and spirit of helping. Congratulations to the AAF Class of 2020.”