Say Hello to the New General Manager for Suntory Flowers North America
September 14, 2021 Gearing up for new growth, Suntory Flowers has named longtime business partner T. Jay Higgins General Manager for North America. Higgins is President and owner of Sun-Fire Nurseries in Sarasota, FL.
In addition to being the top producer of ‘Sun Parasol’ mandevillas, Sun-Fire’s offering has expanded to include ‘Brindabella‘ and ‘Sunrosa’ roses, a newer category for Suntory. The ‘Sun Parasol Sunbeam’ earned Greenhouse Grower® magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award during the Medal of Excellence event at Cultivate’21.
For 16 years, Sun-Fire and Suntory have worked closely on product development and industry promotions and exhibitions.
T. Jay Higgins
“I am very excited for the new opportunity with Suntory, but it would not be an option without having great people at Sun-Fire,” Higgins says. “Terri Kelley, my GM, and Paul Cummiskey, Head Grower, and others make it possible for me to pursue other goals. I will always have an eye on the big picture at Sun-Fire, but I am really looking forward to working with the full Suntory line and continuing to grow the North American market. I have a lot to learn and will be leaning on the great team already in place as we look to strengthen current relationships and build new ones.”
Masashi Matsumura, Executive General Manager, says hiring Higgins as General Manager is a natural progression in the marriage. “Although Sun Parasol is his main business, T. Jay has supported all of Suntory’s business as if he was on our team,” he says.
As far as the timing, global conditions played a big role. “Due to the pandemic, I have not been able to come to the U.S. for a year and a half,” Masa says. “T. Jay will be the right person to lead a team that’s responsive to the local market and take our business to the next level.”
Other members of Suntory Flowers’ North American team include Delilah Onofrey, Marketing Director; Lorentina McKoy, Sales and Product Representative; and Gail Pabst, Marketing Assistant.
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