Connecticut Florists Association announces award winners, re-elects directors

The Connecticut Florists Association (CFA) recently gave its highest annual awards and re-elected two directors.

The CFA Awards. CFA presented the following 2013 awards:

    •Connecticut Florist of the Year went to Douglas Carey of Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist, Cromwell CT branch.  Doug was applauded for his 40-year commitment to Connecticut’s floral industry where he constantly supports floral education, programs, shows and the Connecticut Florists Association.    

    •CFA Award for Florist Improvement went to Luigi Nuzzolillo of Forget Me Not Flower Shop, North Haven, CT for the substantial renovations and redesign of his facility. 

    •CFA Community Service Award went to Judy Grabarz, owner of Newtown Florist, Newtown CT, for her handling of flowers for the community and funerals through the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings last December 14 in her town of Newtown. 

    • CFA Marketing Award went to Lisa Fede of Fruits & Flowers, Bridgeport CT, for her extensive use of social media and promotions to increase her floral sales. 

    • Election of CFA Directors.  Members of CFA also re-elected the following two directors for two-year terms beginning July 1: Michael Derouin AAF AIFD PFCI CAFA (McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center, Greenwich) and Jennifer Ford-Chatfield (Fleur de Lys Floral, New Haven).