Distinguished Professional of the Year

(formerly Virginia Nurseryman of the Year)

You are invited to submit a nomination for the Distinguished Professional of the Year. This award is given by the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association to honor a member of our green industry.*

The selection criteria is based equally on a candidate who has spent their career promoting and advancing the green industry. This individual is selected on the basis of long term contributions to the local and/or state organizations of Nursery and Landscape Associations.

A committee of previous recipients of this award, along with approval of the VNLA Executive Committee, make the final selection. The winner will be introduced at our Annual Membership meeting.

The person you nominate must be a VNLA member or work for a VNLA member company. A previous recipient of the prestigious award is eligible again after five years.

Call or email the VNLA office to request a nomination form: 804 256 2700 info@vnla.org

Previous Recipients

1970 – David E. Laird, Sr.
1971 – Daniel Capper
1972 – David E. Laird, Jr.
1973 – A.J. Shoosmith
1974 – Samuel D. Tankard, Jr.
1975 – Arthur Lancaster
1976 – James S. Campbell
1978 – Mrs. Thelma Yeatts
1982 – Ennion S. Williams, Jr.
1983 – Charles Parkerson
1986 – John Machen, Sr.
1987 – John Watkins
1988 – Karen Shipp Kelly
1989 – C. Fletcher Flemer, III
1990 – Jeffrey B. Miller
1991 – Danny Shreckhise
1993 – Wayne Sawyer
1994 – Eddie Anderson
1995 – Butch Gaddy
1996 – Tom Saunders
1998 – Elizabeth Gardner
1999 – Jim Snyder
2000 – Bob Papetti
2001 – Carville Akehurst
2002 – John Tankard
2003 – Tscharner Watkins III
2004 – Mary Williams
2005 – Doug Hensel
2006 – none
2007 – Fred Duis
2008 – Joel Koci
2009 – Robert Wright
2010 – Duane Shumaker
2011 – Dr. Roger Harris
2012 – Dr. Holly Scoggins
2013 – Robert Warhurst
2014 – Paul Saunders