May 2019 - 16

NATE BARKER
DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING
OLSON'S GREENHOUSE
SALEM, UTAH
Accomplishments:
* Championed the company's technological efforts
to be more efficient, such as redesigning shipping
processes to getting an ERP system developed for
the ever-changing mobile environments.
NIKHIL ARORA AND
ALEJANDRO VELEZ
CO-FOUNDERS/CO-CEOS
BACK TO THE ROOTS
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
Accomplishments:
* Launched the first tabletop aquaponic system to
educate families about ecosystems and growing food
in new ways.
* Helped families and classrooms create over 1 million
new organic gardens this year!
Dual Goals:
" We want to build a brand and live a life that leaves
the world a bit better than we found it - and we
know we can only do that by integrating our team, our
community, ourselves (our own health), our families,
our environment into everything we do and
all decisions! "
A Common Language:
Both of their fathers spent years in Germany after
immigrating from Colombia (Alex's dad) and India
(Nikihl's dad). " When they first met at our college
graduation, they both hit it off right away speaking
German. Sometimes things are just meant to be. "
* Helped implement lean flow manufacturing at the
company's Utah location. These new practices
resulted in a 10% decrease in production labor in
the first year. Company is now implementing the new
processes at its Colorado facilities.
Can't Live Without:
Exercise. " Starting my day off at 4 a.m. at the gym
might seem like craziness to some people, but it's what
makes my day more productive and keeps me sane. "
On a
Mission:
Nate is
fluent in
the Tagalog
language
and lived
in the
Philippines
for two
years as a
missionary for
the Church of
Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day
Saints.
KEITH BEMERER
DISTRIBUTOR AND REGIONAL SALES
NEXUS GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS/
ROUGH BROTHERS INC.
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Accomplishments:
* Treasurer of the Cincinnati Flower Growers
Association that reintroduced the CFGA scholarship
program, to award two $1,000 scholarships to
horticulture students annually.
* Participated in development of the HopsHouse, a
hydroponic hops greenhouse for the production of
wet hops for the craft brewing industry.
Mow, Mow, Mow:
Keith can't live without his lawnmower and cuts his
lawn every five days up until Thanksgiving. " If my grass
is not the greenest on my side of the fence, there is a
serious problem! "
Mechanically Inclined:
" My co-workers and colleagues come to me to help
with anything with an engine - cars, motorcycles,
power equipment or tools. It's not unusual one
weekend to fix a trimmer and the next be working on
a skid-steer loader. "
HORTY BOLANDTICULTURE MANAGER AND BOTANICAL CURATOR
THE OREGON GARDEN
SILVERTON, OREGON
Accomplishments:
* Created and maintains the assession program (a
database of every plant in the garden) of the more
than 80 acres of plants in the 20 specialty gardens
of The Oregon Garden.
* Developed and grows the Garden's annuals program
and is continually enhancing the greenhouses and
propagation areas with better growing capabilities.
OPERCATHERINE BLANEY
ATIONS MANAGER
DARWIN PERENNIALS
WEST CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Accomplishments:
* Participated in the initiation of the AutoStix transplant
technology with the team at Darwin Colombia to
provide labor-saving solutions for producing highquality
perennials.
* Completed her MBA degree while working full time as
a regional supply manager for the Ball Seed Co.
She Practices What She Preaches:
Cat is an avid gardener. " I grow everything from
asparagus to zinnias. The garden usually produces a
few hundred pounds of heirloom tomatoes, which I
make into the best pasta sauce and bruschetta. "
Favorite Book:
" The Power of One " by Bryce Courtenay. " There are so
many powerful messages in this story like, 'First with
the head, then with the heart. You'll be ahead from
the start.' "
16 MAY 2019 GPNMAG.COM
In His
Spare
Time:
He is
" grateful
to have
grown up in
the shadow
of Oregon's
Mount Hood "
and enjoys
fishing, nature,
arboriculture
and motorcycle
riding.
Accomplishments:
* Helped launch the ET Grow app throughout the
company as an efficient way to communicate
specifications on products and keep track of crop
performance.
* Responsible for the company's creative marketing
programs as well as website, social media and all
major company events.
Just Try to Slow Her Down:
Sarita has climbed Mount Whitney; ridden in a 50-mile
gravel grinding bike race; participated in a Ragnar long
distance race; and competed in a 250-mile, three-day
relay race over several mountain ranges. And she's a
certified yoga instructor.
A Prodigious Family Tree:
Horticulture runs in her family - her dad was an
agriculture teacher, her brother currently teaches
horticulture, her uncle was a plant breeder and her
grandmother had " the craziest vegetable garden ever! "
The Music Man:
A single father of three teenaged boys, Ty is also a
professional musician with the band, The Standing. He
plays both banjo and guitar and writes songs!
SARITA CANTU
MARKETING MANAGER
SMITH GARDENS
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
40 UNDER 40
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
May 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2019
