MEET THE BOARD
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM

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.

MELISSA DORCINVIL
LIFGA PRESIDENT
Sale Representative, Long Island; Vaughan’s Horticulture
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LIFGA President 2011-2013
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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
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
Board Member
President; Colorful Gardens Wholesale and Patio Partners.
LIFGA President 2015-2017

JOHN AUWAERTER
Board Member
Sales Associate at Bayport Flower Houses.
LIFGA President 2011-2015

JOSEPH KHUDARI
Board Member
President; Joseph’s Garden & Greenhouses.
LIFGA President 2013-2015

WALTER BISSEX
Board Member
Sales Representative, Long Island; Gloeckner Company..
LIFGA President 2011-2015

MARK BRIDGEN
Board Member
Professor; Director, Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center
Cornell Cooperative Extension

NORA CATLIN
Board Member
Agriculture Program Director/Floriculture Specialist;
Cornell Cooperative Extension

QENDRIM PECI
Board Member
Head Grower; Kurt Weiss Greenhouses.
LIFGA President 2011-2015

JUSTIN BAKEWICZ
Board Member
Owner; Bakewicz Farms..
LIFGA President 2011-2015

KAITLYN ANDERSEN
Board Member
Sales Associate: Green Island Distributors, Inc.
LIFGA President 2011-2015

DAISY LAROM
Board Member
Sales Associate: Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies
LIFGA President 2011-2015