VNLA Newsletter Spring 2018

Jeff Miller retiring from the VNLA after serving as executive director for 30 years

Jeff has served at the pleasure of 30 Presidents and made all of us look more competent than we really were. He has even served under two generations on a couple of occasions. My- self in ‘88 and Matt in ‘14. Also, Wayne Sawyer in ‘90 and Matt in ‘13. He has overseen tremendous growth in our association, working to start a summer trade show that eventually be- came the MANTS summer show. Overseeing the growth of the certification program. Publishing a fine newsletter. Managing Summer Meetings, managing research funds and organizing Research Galas and auctions. And yes, this Breakfast meeting. The list could go on and on but you all know where I am coming from. We have been fortunate to have strong dedicated leaders involved in our Association but we also know that these things don't happen without a strong dedicated Executive. I first met Jeff at a MANTS show in the early 70's at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. I consider him to be a true friend. But one thing I can tell you after all of these year's is that I do not have a clue as to his politics. I think that is remarkable and a testament to his character as an individual. Jeff has not served us with a personal agenda in mind. He has served in the best interest of our industry and our asso- ciation and we have been darn lucky to have him. Our asso- ciation under Jeff's guidance has been the envy of many States and the respect we have as an association is second to none. I said to my son Matt, on many occasions, when he was serving on the Board and as President, that there could not be a nicer more decent human being than Jeff Miller and I’m sure you agree. A quiet man, a man of few words but when he speaks you should be listening I must say too, as we all know, that behind every good man there is a great woman. Jeff's wife Sandy has been a huge part of this too. Jeff, I know Sandy is sick and unable to be here but please pass on our appreciation to her. Jeff, we love you. We thank you for your many years of service to us, to our industry and association. You will be missed truly missed. You have brought organizational skills, honesty, integrity and character, along with a love of and a knowledge of our industry that no one else could have We appreciate your devotion, we appreciate the undivided attention that you have given us over the years. We look forward to working with you in the coming months as you transition your responsibilities. We hope you will not become a stranger and that we will continue seeing you at MANTS and other functions. Let’s give it all up for Jeff Miller.

Sandy and Jeff Miller in their home garden in Coal Hollow, Montgomery County, VA - photo by Jane Graham

April/May/June 2018 VNLA Newsletter After graduation from Virginia Tech in 1970 with a B.S. in Horticulture , Jeff managed 2+ acres of glass green- houses (Wilber Greenhouses) in Richmond, raising cut flowers, flowering pot plants as well as seasonal field pro- duction of cut flowers for 2 ½ years. During this period, he was in the Army Reserves with basic training at Ft. Knox and AIT training at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as an Am- munition Storage Specialist. After moving back to Blacks- burg in 1973, he trained as a machine Gun Specialist at the Army Reserve unit in Radford, and then training as a Drill Sargeant. V LA Newsl tter Since the early 1970’s, Jeff Miller has been involved in trade associations, first working with the Virginia Green- house Growers Association (formerly the Virginia Florist Association) as a director and through the officer ranks and eventually serving as the secretary/treasurer for many years, working with Dr. Richard Lindstrom, greenhouse produc- tion professor at Virginia Tech.

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April / May / June 2018