May 2023 - 26

40 UNDER 40
Alejandro Pantoja Pita
HORTICULTURE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
COSTA FARMS
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Accomplishments:
* Led the process of
separating horticultural
and field operations
responsibilities, where
growers focus on
horticulture and operators
focus on field tasks and
logistics, in line with their areas of expertise.
* A servant leader and coach focused on developing
the skills of the entire horticultural team of more than
60 growers and assistant growers in foliage, cactus,
and succulents.
Lights, Camera, Action:
" Gladiator " tops Alejandro's movie list. " It shows that
leadership is more important than having title; you can't
win alone, life is unpredictable and you have to adapt
to circumstances. "
On the Court & Pitch:
Alejandro played tennis for 12 years and enjoys watching
sports on TV, especially European soccer.
Kristen Pullen
WOODY ORNAMENTAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER
STAR ROSES AND PLANTS
WEST GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA
Accomplishments:
* Played a key role in outlining and implementing product
life cycle protocols for woody ornamentals to streamline
product management.
* Worked with the team at Star Roses and Plants to increase
sales in the woody ornamental program by over 50%.
* Started as a grower technician, was promoted to new
product trial coordinator and then gained product
manager responsibilities.
Music Maven:
Kristen was in the high school band
and can still play the flute, piccolo,
and bassoon. She performed in a
live orchestra ensemble as first
chair bassoon at the Kimmel
Center in Philadelphia.
Tolkien Fans:
" The Lord of the Rings " is Kristen's alltime
favorite book, and she and her husband watch the movies
at least once a year. " It's a story filled with hope despite any
circumstance, and I think that's a message worth sharing. "
Jared Rusch
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING
T.O. PLASTICS
CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
Accomplishments:
* Leading a commercial team
during an unprecedented
time in our industry,
navigating the supply
chain challenges and
extraordinary demand for
products throughout the
last few years.
* Managed his expanding
team to achieve record company sales multiple years
in a row.
* Became the youngest member of the leadership team
in T.O. Plastics' history in 2020.
On the Green:
Boating with his family and golfing are two of Jared's
favorite hobbies, which may explain his movie of
choice: " Caddyshack. "
Child Prodigy?
Jared was selected to join the Milwaukee Youth Symphony
Orchestra at age 14.
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MAY 2023 GPNMAG.COM
Hans Stokes
HEAD GROWER/BUSINESS MANAGER
SWIFT GREENHOUSES INC.
GILMAN, IOWA
Accomplishments:
* Updated the company's digital database of crop culture and
care for seedling perennials.
* Refreshed the website to host product information, price
lists and a plant library database.
* Works with interns and new growers to help them develop
their skills and find their passion, something his teachers did
at Brigham Young University. " I felt lost in school until I took
an intro to plant culture class and I was hooked. "
On a Mission:
Hans served as a missionary for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
for two years in Arizona, where
(coming from Washington) he
learned to love the heat, the food
and the people.
Order Up:
He can't get enough grilled or
smoked salmon, Ivar's clam
chowder, chicken teriyaki and
chocolate desserts.
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2023
