Meet Greenhouse Grower Technology’s New Advisory Board Members
April 4, 2018 Greenhouse Grower Technology was launched in early 2016 with the goal of providing more comprehensive coverage on the advancements in greenhouse automation, structures, equipment, and technology, and how it can help growers maximize efficiency.
In that effort, we’ve asked for guidance from some of the premier technology and automation experts and influencers within the horticulture industry. These individuals, from growers to researchers to industry suppliers, have expertise in various aspects of greenhouse technology, and represent the editorial advisory board for Greenhouse Grower TECHNOLOGY. Learn all about their backgrounds and expertise in the profiles below. We thank these illustrious industry experts for their help and guidance, and we look forward to bringing their experience and advice to your operation.
Mike Goyette, Pleasant View Gardens
Mike Goyette ([email protected]) has worked at Pleasant View Gardens for 25 years. He started as a grower when Proven Winners first hit the market in 1992, and had a hand in creating and improving growing protocols along the way. Over the last 15 years, he has managed Pleasant View’s operations team (“Leadership and process control are the main focuses that we use to drive efficiency, quality, and consistency.”). Goyette was a Greenhouse Grower 2016 Head Grower of the Year finalist and winner of the Excellence in Quality award.
Cole Mangum, Bell Nursery USA
Cole Mangum ([email protected]) is a third-generation member of the Mangum family, operating the broad business of Bell Nursery USA, based in Elkridge, MD. As Vice President of Production, Mangum is responsible for implementing technology and automation that will streamline the day-to-day production of Bell Nursery’s many locations, totaling 7,400,000 million square feet of environmentally controlled greenhouses.
Art Van Wingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses
Art Van Wingerden ([email protected]) is Co-CEO and Co-Owner of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, NC, and York, SC. Van Wingerden takes an active role in designing new automation equipment and technology, working closely with equipment manufacturers to develop solutions. Many of these technologies have been implemented not only at Metrolina’s vast facilities, totaling 7,500,000 square feet of environmentally controlled greenhouse space, but also in greenhouse operations throughout the country.
Paul Fisher, University of Florida
Dr. Paul Fisher ([email protected]) is a Professor and Floriculture Extension Specialist at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. His applied research and farm advising focus on greenhouse technology, crop modeling, propagation, and root zone management.
Erik Runkle, Michigan State University (MSU)
Dr. Erik Runkle ([email protected]) is Professor and Floriculture Extension Specialist in the Department of Horticulture at MSU. Runkle’s program focuses on the environmental physiology of herbaceous plants. Particularly, he works with manipulating light and temperature to produce commercial crops with desired attributes in greenhouses and other controlled environments.
Kurt Becker, Dramm Corp.
Kurt Becker ([email protected]) is the Executive Vice President – Commercial Products for the Dramm Corporation. For the past 24 years, Becker has worked with growers to improve their spray and irrigation practices through improved technology and technique. Dramm, now in its 77th year, is a leader in horticultural technology focusing on watering, chemical application, air movement, and water quality. Dramm produces a wide range of watering tools, complete irrigation systems, chemical applications solutions, air flow equipment, water treatment, and organic fertilizers.
Rob Lando, AgriNomix
Rob Lando ([email protected]) is the CEO of AgriNomix LLC. His Oberlin, OH-based company is North America’s largest supplier of automation to the horticulture industry. Lando and three grower partners formed AgriNomix (formerly Flier USA) in 1994 to provide sales and service for high-tech, Dutch-made automation from Flier Systems. While continuing to do so, the company has added several specialty manufacturers from across the globe and grown to become a sizable domestic designer and builder, as well. Prior to AgriNomix, Lando served as Senior Vice President at Bouldin & Lawson of McMinnville, TN, and he started his journey in the horticulture industry with Langley Peat Moss of Fort Langley, BC, outside of Vancouver, where he was raised.
Jeff Warschauer, Nexus Greenhouse Systems
Jeff Warschauer ([email protected]) has been the Vice President of Sales for Nexus for more than 22 years. He started with Nexus in 1988. After graduation from Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine, he attended Norwalk Community College, Florida State University, Culinary Institute of America, and Le Cordon Bleu – London. He interned at several four-star restaurants in New York City. From there he pursued his life-long love of cooking by owning his own restaurants in Danbury, CT, and Winter Haven, FL. He then worked for John Deere Equipment Company prior to his 32 years in the greenhouse manufacturing industry. He is a frequent lecturer and writer on greenhouse structures.
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