On the evening of October 11 , 2022 , the Great Lakes Floral Foundation inducted Jim Wilson of Jim Wilson & Associates , Brent Mains owner of Mains Importing , and Jim Schmidt of Hyacinth House into the Hall of Fame .
The event was held in the Lincoln room at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center E. Lansing , MI . The evening started at 6:00 pm with a reception where 80 + attendee delight appetizers , libation , and conversation . At 7:00 pm sharp , Foundation Chairman and emcee Jerome Raska , AAF , AIFD , CF , PFCI , welcomed everyone and invite Robbin Yelverton , AAF , AIFD , CF , PFCI , to give the conjuring , after which dinner was serve .
The inductive reasoning began at 8:00 postmortem with floor of Jim Wilson from Alan Buckley , proprietor of Norman Smith Enterprises , David Bailys , VP NAPCO , and James Wilson , Jim ’s Son . Jerome then presented Jim with his Hall of Fame award . After obtain his prize Mr. Wilson reflected on 50 + twelvemonth of selling for NAPCO , Norman Smith Enterprises , Davidson Upoff , and various other lines . “ In close , I want to give thanks my wife , Sharon , who has endure at my side and help and encouraged me over the years . She has been my Secretary , bookkeeper , lodge author , and order re - writer at trade wind appearance as the interpreter of my awed calligraphy . ”
Jim Wilson receives the award .
Next , Tony Veer of Mains Importing told a marvelous tale of how he begin his outset 36 old age ago and how blest he ’s been to have worked for a great family and have such loyal customers who he also considers friends . Jason , aka Brent Jr. , then came to the stump and read a note from his founding father , Brent , who was unable to attend . “ My Dad take off form in the floral industriousness in 1972 when he worked for Bill Watson of Watson ’s Trading in Hillsdale . Over time he began represent a few other industry line of merchandise . In fact , at one item , he was a sales repp for 14 different companies . In 1982 , Dad and my Mom , Carol , formed Mains Importing . They started in a small office space in downtown Litchfield while rent storage space for product . In 1987 they break solid ground at our current location in Hillsdale . Today we are proud to say we have three generations of family working at Mains Importing . Thank you to those who have stick out Mains import over the last 40 years . We are looking forward to another 40 ! ” Jason then graciously take over the Hall of Fame award on behalf of his father .
Jason Mains incur the award .
The final initiation of the evening was bestow upon Jim Schmidt . Cliff McClumpha , the new owner of Hyacinth House , spoke on working for Jim and his business partner Dave over the last fourteen years and how they both have mentor him and have now entrusted him with purchasing their companionship . After being salute with his Hall of Fame honour , Jim Schmidt spoke from the bosom on how his friendship with industry icons such as Jon Anthony , Frank DeVos , and Lucile Belen , to name a few , helped him and Dave grow the line of work which they bulge together from scratch in 1975 . He also spoke about the importance of education , and the role Lucile Belen and the Great Lakes Floral Association / Foundation have play in providing classes not only on flowered figure but how to make money in the peak business .
Jim Schmidt receive the award .
At the end of the evening , one other particular individual was acknowledged . The Great Lakes Floral Association President Teresa Cytlak presented Jeanette Ballien of Gaudreau the Florists with a memorial tablet of appreciation for Seventeen years of help on the Great Lakes Floral Association / Foundation Board of Directors . President Cytlak offered a special thanks to Jeanette and her fellowship , who are straight creditworthy for creating the Great Lakes Floral Foundation fifteen years ago in 2007 .
For more information : Great Lakes Floral Associationwww.greatlakesfloralassociation.org
