To recognize the growing importance of association executives in the workings of the Society of American Florists and to honor the contributions of SAF's former long-time Executive Vice President, John H. Walker.  In 1979, after his retirement from SAF, the John H. Walker award was first given to honor him. 

Award Criteria:

• Recipients must be employed (i.e. paid staff) by a member association of SAF.
• Recipients must have a minimum of three years continuous service with a member association.

  
The Awards Committee Will Specifically Consider:

• Creative and substantial implementation of industry and SAF-sponsored programs beneficial to member associations (and their individual members) and our various other publics.
• Enrollment or attendance at professional schools, seminars, meetings or courses which tend to contribute to an executive's ability to better serve member associations and their members.
• The nominee's service in leadership positions in professional societies and organizations dedicated to professionalism in association management.
• The nominee's involvement in civic and community organizations.
• Evidence of a nominee's sharing his management skills and abilities with associations and association executives.
• Evidence of a nominee's sharing his management skill and abilities with associations and association executives.
• The nominee's contributions and achievements to his or her association.

Nomination/Selection Process

• Nominations must be endorsed by the president of the employing association(s) and will be accepted annually.

The deadline for receiving nominations for 2010 is January 29, 2010.

to request a Nomination Form for the John H. Walker Award.

JOHN H. WALKER AWARD RECIPIENTS

2008 - No Recipient Chosen

2007 - Drew N. Gruenburg
            Society of American Florists

2006 - Augusto Solano
            Asocolflores

2005 - Rodney Crittenden
            Michigan Floral Association

2004 - James Wanko
            Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Assn.

2003 - Benjamin Bolusky
            Florida Nurseryman & Growers Assn.

2002 - Robert Otsuka
            California Flower Market

2001 - Dennis Kirven
            Ohio Florists' Association

2000 - No Recipient Chosen

1999 - Peter J. Moran
            Society of American Florists

1998 - No Recipient Chosen

1997 - Dianna L. Doss
            Texas State Florists' Assn.

1996 - Bob Heffernan
            Connecticut State Florists' Assn.

1995 - Thomas C. Shaner
            AIFD

1994 - Archie J. Clapp
            WF&FSA

1993 - No Recipient Chosen

1992 - Bob Briggs
            Colorado Greenhouse Growers Assn.

         
1991- William Carl Plummer
           Arkansas Florists' Association

1990 - Donna Cameron
            Northwest Florists' Association

1989 - Robert Heron
            Professional Allied Florists of Metro Detroit

1988 - Wil Carlson
            Bedding Plants, Inc.

1987 - Jim and Gen McCarthy, AAF
            North Central Florists' Assn.

1986 - Floyd W. Johnson
            Greater Milwaukee Florists' Assn.

1985 - Dr. Harry Tayama, AAF
            Ohio Florists Association
 
1984 - Melvin H. Schwanke, AAF
            Nebraska Florist Society

1983 - Michael A. Caliandro, AAF
            California State Florists Assn.

1982 - Mildred P. Michie
            Professional Florists of Mississippi Valley

1981- Charles Barr, AAF
           Connecticut Florists Association

1980 - James Krone, AAF
            Roses, Inc.

1979 - Richard G. Klingman
            Colorado Flower Growers Association
            American Carnation Society