Proven Winners hires Kevin Hurd as new products director

Sycamore, IL – Proven Winners North America LLC has announced the appointment of Kevin Hurd to the position of new products director.  Hurd began his role with Proven Winners on Feb. 27, 2012, and will replace Dr. Rick Schoellhorn, Proven Winners’ current new products director, when Schoellhorn retires this September. 

Hurd was most recently a product representative for Darwin Perennials / Ball FloraPlant.  Prior to joining Ball, Hurd was a plant breeder and research horticulturist for Walters Gardens.  While working with Walters Gardens, Hurd and Schoellhorn were instrumental in the development of the Proven Winners Perennials partnership that officially launched at the 2011 Spring Trials.

Hurd will be responsible in finding new plant varieties with strong consumer appeal that are profitable for growers, and to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with plant breeders.

"This is an exciting time for Proven Winners as a company and for our industry," said Hurd. "Breeders worldwide are achieving remarkable breakthroughs in performance, color and habit.  I'm excited to bring the best of those new plants to growers, retailers and North America's home gardeners."

Hurd will also serve as Proven Winners North America’s lead source of new product information to breeders, and will oversee the company's internal trialing processes.

"We are delighted to have Kevin on the Proven Winners team", said Mark Broxon, executive director of Proven Winners North America. "Kevin brings the perfect combination of hands-on experience in research, breeding and working with plant breeders."

Learn more about Proven Winners at its website: www.provenwinners.com.