Ones To Watch: Jonathan Cude

Ones To Watch: Jonathan Cude

As part of Greenhouse Grower’s 25th anniversary, we are profiling people we expect to shape the industry for the better over the next 25 years. Now in its 14th week online, our Ones To Watch series continues with Jonathan Cude of Sedan Floral, who was featured in our September issue.

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Age–25

His Job–At Sedan Floral, Jonathan’s position is loosely defined as general manager. He creates production schedules, orders production materials, manages the sales team and even drives trucks to deliver plants as needed.

School’s In Session–Jonathan obtained a degree from Oklahoma State University in mechanical and aerospace engineering. His education has helped him improve efficiency in almost every aspect of the family business, he says, and that knowledge should help Sedan improve quality and consistency while remaining competitive in the marketplace.

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Size And Commitment – Those factors set Sedan Floral apart, Jonathan says, and he’s determined to take quality, service and value to the next level. “While I might not have 50 acres of greenhouse, my 15 acres are very capable of keeping up with customer demand while growing the many different sizes and varieties of plants that garden centers need.”

Striving To Improve–Because Jonathan has an engineering background, he finds himself wanting to optimize everything in the business–from a new online ordering process to the way Sedan plants plugs.

Twenty-Five Years From Now–Growers will have to be willing to embrace change to succeed. “We must put plants in the next generation’s minds as we compete with the barrage of other items on which consumers spend their money,” he says.

Why He’s One To Watch–Jonathan has taken the reins of the business from his father, Gary, and is moving the company forward with a new vision. This year is Sedan Floral’s 60th anniversary under the same family name, and Jonathan will likely lead it for another 30-plus years.

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