MEET THE BOARD

OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM

DR. MARK BRIDGEN

DR. MARK BRIDGEN

LIFGA PRESIDENT

Professor; Director, Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center

Mark’s extensive academic, field knowledge and years of dedication in the horticultural industry delivers a unique focus to the LIFGA organization. His cut flower cultivar creations earned him being named Fulbright Scholar in 2013, where he spent a semester studying Alstroemeria flowers  in Santiago, Chile. As Director of LIHREC his primary research interests are in the areas of new plant development and breeding, plant cell and tissue culture, plant environment interactions, in vitro plant breeding, and plant propagation.

JOHN AUWAERTER

JOHN AUWAERTER

LIFGA PRESIDENT

Sales Associate at Bayport Flower Houses.

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integration, and operations support. Her diverse skill set has achieved her the role of Technical Liaison for web projects,

QENDRIM PECI

QENDRIM PECI

LIFGA VICE PRESIDENT

Head Grower; Kurt Weiss Greenhouses.

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integration, and operations support. Her diverse skill set has achieved her the role of Technical Liaison for web projects,

MELISSA DORCINVIL

MELISSA DORCINVIL

LIFGA VICE-PRESIDENT

Sale Representative, Long Island; Vaughan’s Horticulture

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LIFGA President 2011-2013

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DIANE HANWICK

DIANE HANWICK

LIFGA TREASURER & SECRETARY

Adminstrative Support; Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center

Diane’s background at LIHREC has provided her many successful years in project management, computer systems integration, and operations support. Her diverse skill set has achieved her the role of Technical Liaison for web projects, which includes the Long Island Chapter website of the PlantSomething National campaign. Other duties include:  Account management, Event planning, Member relations and Bookkeeping.

BOARD MEMBERS & ADVISORS

BIANCA SULLIVAN

BIANCA SULLIVAN

Board Member

President; Colorful Gardens Wholesale and Patio Partners.

LIFGA President 2015-2017;

MELISSA DORCINVIL

MELISSA DORCINVIL

Board Member

Sales Representative, Long Island;  Vaughan’s Horticulture

LIFGA President 2019-2021;

JOSEPH KHUDARI

JOSEPH KHUDARI

Board Member

President; Joseph’s Garden & Greenhouses. ppppppppp

LIFGA President 2013-2015;

WALTER BISSEX

WALTER BISSEX

Board Member

Field Representative, Long Island; CT, Westchester County, NY. Easton Horticultural  Company.

LIFGA President 2011-2015

MARK BRIDGEN

MARK BRIDGEN

Board Member

Professor; Director, Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center

Cornell University

NORA CATLIN

NORA CATLIN

Board Member

Agriculture Program Director/Floriculture Specialist;

Cornell Cooperative Extension

KRYSTYNA RECKNER

KRYSTYNA RECKNER

Board Member

Owner: Reckner Greenhouses.

LIFGA President 2022-2023;

LIFGA President 2011-2015

JUSTIN BAKEWICZ

JUSTIN BAKEWICZ

Board Member

Owner; Bakewicz Farms..

LIFGA President 2011-2015

KAITLYN ANDERSEN

KAITLYN ANDERSEN

Board Member

LIFGA President 2011-2015

JESSE MAY

JESSE MAY

Board Member

 Greenhouse production at Whitmores in East Hampton

LIFGA President 2011-2015

DAISY LAROM

DAISY LAROM

Board Member

Sales Associate: Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies

LIFGA President 2011-2015

JESSE MAY

JESSE MAY

Board Member

 Greenhouse production at Whitmores in East Hampton

LIFGA President 2011-2015

DAISY LAROM

DAISY LAROM

Board Member

Sales Associate: Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies

LIFGA President 2011-2015