April 2010

In Columbus, Retail Takes Center Stage By Paige Worthy

MORE CHANGES @ OFA

Months after former CEO John Holmes died suddenly in February 2009, the search began for a new candidate to lead OFA — an Association of Horticulture Professionals. And just as the industry set its sights on spring, OFA announced it had chosen a new chief executive officer: Michael Geary, formerly of the American Institute of Architecture Students, National Association of Home Builders and North American Interfraternity Conference.

We did a little Q&A session with Geary as he kicked off his fourth week at the OFA offices in Columbus. Here’s a look at some of his thoughts as he settles into the industry and his new role:
LGR: What’s your experience with horticulture?
Geary: I’ve always had plants or flowers in my home. My father is a PhD in botany, and we grew up always having a garden in our backyard. We lived in Florida and had a large vegetable garden. Even today, my father and his wife have several gardens in their homes in the Washington, D.C. area. We can walk outside and pick tomatoes and herbs to make breakfast. We take that for granted, but we also respect the process.
LGR: How is this industry different from others you’ve worked in?
Geary: There’s the obvious difference: the products that are being sold, developed, produced. But it’s all very similar in the sense that architecture and home building is about creating communities and improving the quality of life for the people who use the products. It’s all interrelated; we have the same end goals.
LGR: What are your goals in the first six months on the job?
Geary: When John [Holmes] passed away, the four senior staff members jumped into place to make sure things ran smoothly. It’ll take me some time to understand the lingo and get to know the industry. Mygoal is to help the organization be successful with its goals; we’regoing to be focusing on ensuring that we have good plans in place financially; strategic growth of OFA Short Course; and improving the membership experience.
LGR: OFA is committed to supporting the next generation of horticulture. What advice can you offer them?
Geary: Everyone’s getting information online, but you have to visit other businesses, you have to go to trade shows, you have to read publications — it’s all about the people. You have to network and learn from your competitors and supporters. That’s where you learn.
LGR: What are you expecting from your first-ever OFA Short Course?
Geary: The new things we’re introducing are going to be very exciting for our attendees. We don’t want people to think that Short Course is all about Ohio. It’s the largest show for the industry, and it’s for the whole country. We want people from everywhere to come.

Want to get in touch with OFA’s new CEO? He can be reached at [email protected]. He’s also planning some site visits this spring and summer — be on the lookout!