Mark Nance AAF, BloomNet’s Special Advisor and Former President, is retiring. Read more about his journey in the floral industry in his article for Floriology:
"My floral journey began in 1983 in Oklahoma City when a true entrepreneur and visionary, Herman Meinders, the owner of AFS (American Floral Services), decided to give me the opportunity to run his sales and marketing organizations. My expectation was the position would only last 3-4 years and I would return to the oil and gas industry after the downturn slump was over. That was 36 years ago, so I clearly missed my expectations.
"For those who know me well, one of the most difficult things I have found in my life to do is say goodbye, but for me that time has come.
"These last 36 years have been the most fulfilling and rewarding years of my life and it really has to do with the people and the floral industry.
"I love our industry and the people who comprise one of the most innovative and creative businesses one could have ever been lucky enough to be associated with. From the very beginning at my first industry event at TSFA (Texas State Florists’ Association), I was welcomed with open arms and have had the unique opportunity to make lifelong friends across many segments of the industry. As I have consistently told my sales team, the best part of my job is visiting our florists across the country and seeing how different, but the same, florists are in small and big towns alike. I think I will miss that the most."