• Connecticut Florist of the Year. Shall be considered the highest-ranking annual award given by the Association.
A florist shall be selected for this award who has:
1. made outstanding accomplishments in the florist business,
2. worked in Connecticut’s floral industry for a minimum of five years,
3. given exceptional time and service to the floral industry through floral
organizations and events,
4. a record of public and civic involvement in local and/or state levels, and
5. distinguished himself or herself as a leader and an innovator in the floral
industry.
Nominees for this award may be retail florists, wholesale florists, or growers
of flowers and/or plants who are CFA members.
•The CFA Marketing Award. Shall be given annually to recognize the Connecticut florist who has been both
successful and creative in marketing and promoting his/her business. The Awards
Committee shall review actual examples of the nominees’ marketing efforts, such as advertisements, campaigns, slogans, events,
promotional materials and ideas. The Committee will consider the uniqueness and
creativity of the nominees’ marketing and their success in attracting consumers attention to their
business. Nominees for this award may be retail florists, wholesale florists,
or growers of flowers and/or plants who are CFA members.
•The CFA Award for Florist Improvement. Shall be awarded annually to spotlight the Connecticut florist who has made
significant improvements to his business in the areas of store facility
renovation, overall business layout, and/or design of store displays. The
Awards Committee shall consider situations of the nominees before the
improvements were made, and the extent of the improvements after their
implementation. Nominees shall be encouraged to submit before-and-after photos.
The Awards Committee may, at its option, make on-site visits to finalists’ facilities. Nominees for this Award may be retail florists, wholesale florists,
or growers of flowers and/or plants who are CFA members.
•Connecticut Friend of Floristry Award. Shall be awarded annually to a person outside the florist trade who has
supported, assisted, or otherwise been of service to
Connecticut’s floral industry. Types of recipients for this award might include (but is not
limited to) elected or appointed government officials, university experts,
public figures or celebrities, and persons of other areas of life who have been
friends of our floral industry.
Connecticut Florist of the Year
1992: Hyman Cohen, Bob Kelly Florist, Hartford
1993: Ronald Kogut, Kogut Florist & Nurseryman, Meriden
1994: Laurette Swingen, Laurette's Flower Shop, Rocky Hill
1995: Bunnie Hovan, AIFD, Hovan's Flowers, Stratford
1996: Douglas Carey, Bay State Florist Supply, Cromwell
1997: James Brody, Loraine Gardens, Watertown
1998: Joseph Padua, Tom Thumb Florist, Bridgeport
1999: Betty Swan, Village Flower Shop, New Fairfield
2000: Rosemary Agostinucci AIFD, Plaza-Sandelli Florist, Berlin
2001: Robert Sabia AIFD, Sullivan Flower Shop, Fairfield
2003: Sal & Ann Greco, Wallingford Flower Shoppe
2004: Phyllis Rega, Phyl’s Flowers, Stratford
2005: Robert Roehrich, City Line Florist, Trumbull
2007: Gerard Pfeiffer AIFD, Milford CT
2008: Sylvia Nichols AIFD, Cheshire CT
2009: Tom Yaiser, Metz Flowers
2010: Bob Buettner, Paul Buettner Florist, East Hartford
The CFA Marketing Award
1992: Peter Saverine, Nielsen's Florist, Darien
1993: James McArdle, McArdle-MacMillen Florist & Garden Center, Greenwich
1994: John & Carol Varanelli, The Orchid Florist, Waterbury
1995: John Tornatore, Gordon Bonetti Florist, Hartford
1996: Robert Roehrich, City Line Florist, Trumbull
1997: Sylvia Nichols, The Window Box, Cheshire
1998: Peter Vournazos AIFD, Flowers Etc., Newington
1999: Paul Cataldi, Tommy's Flowers, Groton
2003: Sandra Nielsen, Nielsen's Florist, Darien
2007: Tony Gagliardi, Connecticut Valley Flowers, Hamden
2010: Terri Krisavage, TK & Brown’s Flowers, Rocky Hill
The CFA Award for Florist Improvement
1992: Malcolm Graham, Graham's Florist, Waterbury
1994: Judy Cecchini, Mclnerney's Flower Shop, Middletown
1995: Michelle DiGennaro, Michelle's Florals, Vernon
1996: Bernadette Terasowich, The Flower Box, Trumbull
1997: Roberta Heffernan, Irene's Flower Shop, Monroe
2000: Sharon & Seb Malespini, Sharon Elizabeth's Floral Designs, Berlin
2001: Heather Ritter & Laura Vernesoni, Neddermann's Florist, Thomaston
2002: William Cusano, De Vars Phillips Florist, Hartford
2003: Sandra Nielsen, Nielsen's Florist, Darien
2004: Tina Hickok, Irene’s Garden Party, Monroe
2005: Tom Horan, Horan’s FLower Shop, Hartford
2007: Katelyn Bowman, The Pink Petunia, Cheshire
2008: Judy Grabarz, Newtown Florist, Newtown
2010: Lisa Fede, Fruits & Flowers, Bridgeport
The Connecticut Friend of Floristry Award
1993: Forbes Hauptman, Connecticut Department of Economic Development and
Manager of the Connecticut Building at the Eastern States Exposition.
1994: George Gonsalves, Northeast Promotions, Director of the Hartford Flower
Show.
1995: Jay Koths, Emeritus Professor, College of Agriculture, University of
Connecticut
1996: Gustav Mehlquist, College of Agriculture, University of Connecticut
1997: Governor & Mrs. John Rowland
1999: State Rep. Mary Fritz (D-Wallingford)
2000: State Sen. John Kissel (R-Enfield)
2001: Dr. Mark Bridgen, College of Agriculture, University of Connecticut
2002: Dr. John Anderson, Director, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
2007: Dr. Mary Musgrave, Head, Plant Science Dept., College of Agriculture,
University of Connecticut.
2009: Dr. Louis Magnarelli, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
2010: Kristi Gonsalves, Northeast Expos, producer of the CT Flower & Garden Show
