Sales Plant

K EVIN B ISHOP

** ***** ***** * **** Coast, FL **164 l 386-***-**** l abl6t4@r.postjobfree.com

E NTERPRISING, HARD WORKING AND TECHNICALLY SKILLED HORTICULTURIST AND BOTANIST seeking a career opportunity

that will utilize years of knowledge and skills in growing and maintaining plants as well as business to

business experience. Plant industry career spans more than 20 years in all aspects of plant nursery operations,

environmental protection, urban landscape design and a higher education from the University of Florida (BS in

Horticulture and Botany). Backed by solid credentials and proficiencies in horticulture practices, I am skilled as well

with various computer programs, basic accounting and the ever important interpersonal relationships .

KEY SKILLS

BMP for Trees & Shrub Production Business Planning & Management

Integrated Pest Management Practices Staff Training/Supervision & Teambuilding

Disease & Pest Identification Production Planning, Scheduling & Budgeting

Plant Nutritional & Water Management Problem Solving & Research

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AMPLEX, [Nursery Broker] – Clearwater, FL

Regional Plant Purchasing & Horticulture Consultant, 05/2003 to 10/2008

Working independently from the main office, handled daily tree and other plant acquisitions, which included travel

throughout the southeastern U.S. to existing vendors and to cultivate new vendor relationships, select high quality

material for resale and negotiating price, terms and shipping arrangements; Trained and supervised junior reps;

Consulted and advised our company’s head grower of required actions and problems within the tree nursery; Trained

our company’s nursery personnel with proper horticultural practices .

Key Results:

Managed and assisted purchasing reps in acquiring new knowledge and skills with regards to plant health and quality,

negotiating win win scenarios with vendors and advised on how to manage their time while operating

independently and traveling to multiple states.

Immediately improved quality of trees selected for resale which in turn advanced the company’s image and customer

base. The quality of trees grown in the nursery was progressively upgraded through changes in pruning,

fertilizing, watering and choice of soil medium.

Successfully negotiated favorable terms, necessary for tree and plant purchase for resale, with hundreds of vendors

across the southeast U.S. This included price with either cash or terms of 30 days or more, quality requirements

and minimal limits of acceptable tree structure/shrub characteristics and shipping details.

Composed effective reporting and record keeping system for the purchasing division which summarized purchasing

reps’ activities, expenses, formal as well as ad hoc reports and photo log of all visited nursery’s inventory.

Through the use of these reports and photos, created a vast catalogue of plant material grown in the southeast U.S.

With continual updating of the catalogue from all purchasing reps, the sales division was allowed to move faster

and provide better service to existing and new customers.

Developed nursery personnel’s skills with proper growing and pruning techniques used in producing specimen trees

by personally working side by side with them. In time they proved to have the insight and knowledge to work

independently.

WEE TREE NURSERRY, INC. [Tree Nursery] – Altoona, FL

Co Owner, 03/2003 to present

Researched, designed and planned all aspects of a new tree nursery. Designed the nursery layout for trees from 3

gallon to 65 gallon production which included all necessary infrastructure (post & lines, irrigation system…) Created

production schedule spreadsheets for the proposed trees (Magnolias, Oaks, Hollies and Palms). Implemented all

nursery plans to present date that included tree and palm production, sales, bookkeeping with Quickbooks, training of

nursery personnel with desired horticulture techniques and solely responsible for the IPM (which includes spraying

the appropriate pesticides and fungicides).

Key Results:

Directly involved with all phases of production. Producing high quality Florida #1 and Florida Fancy Magnolias,

Live Oaks, Dahoon Hollies, Loquats, Pindo Palms, Windmill Palms and European Fan Palms for sale to the

wholesale trade.

Effectively identifies and resolves issues that arise with pests, diseases, nutritional needs and water requirements.

Pest management provides the biggest challenge considering our desire to limit pesticide use. Careful use of

horticultural oil and timing pesticide use in the pest’s most vulnerable life stage proved to be most successful.

Successfully supervises and trains nursery personnel in tree production techniques we desired. Specifically important

are the pruning practices required for high quality, which requires knowledge and experience to master.

Manage the financial aspects of the business by overseeing the operational budget, pursuing and acquiring sales as

well as maintaining the books for profit/loss assessment and tax liabilities.

CITY OF ORMOND BEACH, [Engineering Division] – Ormond Beach, FL

Environmental Enforcement 06/1998 to 01/2003 , Interim City Landscape Architect 03/2001 to 06/2002,

I was responsible for the oversight of land development with new residential/commercial construction projects and

other activities impacting the natural environment within the city. With existing sites and new construction, approved

or denied the removal of trees and native vegetation as well as acceptable impacts of wetland areas as outlined by

code and DEP. Assumed expanded responsibilities as the city’s interim Landscape Architect which included

designing park improvements, roadway beautification, public speaking and site plan review of commercial projects

for code adherence.

Key Results:

Developed good relationships with residents and business owners while preserving the city’s environmental

protection and beautification goals.

Effectively provided direction for the protection of the natural environment being impacted by developers and

residents within the city. When necessary outlined requirements for mitigating the impacts of tree removal,

grade/fill changes and wetland disturbances. The result was new landscapes which adhered to city objectives,

DEP requirements and satisfied residents and business people.

K EVIN B ISHOP

Résumé l Page Two

Designed and implemented 5 park landscape/hardscape improvement projects and 2 roadside/median landscape

improvements which included full sets of CAD drawings and grant application packages. Resulted in enhanced

beauty and functionality of public spaces with enjoyed use to this day.

Became a valuable communicator for the city as it related to environmental issues. Made repeated presentations to

garden clubs, HOAs and public hearings.

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA – Gainesville, FL

Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture, 1995

Bachelor of Science in Botany, 1995

TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) l QuickBooks l CAD l Windows (all)

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