Two Leading Growers Invest in Hiring and Retaining Top Talent
September 13, 2022 
Neil Beatty; Stephen Gillis
Hoffman Nursery has announced the promotion of two employees: Stephen Gillis to Sales and Customer Service Manager, and Alex Stanley-Stretch to Marketing Coordinator.
Stephen Gillis joined Hoffman Nursery in February 2019 as a Sales and Customer Service Assistant. Since then, he has shown a strong commitment to the nursery and its success. Gillis will oversee the sales and customer service team and be responsible for developing and carrying out strategic plans to grow sales with existing customers and expand the nursery’s customer base. He will continue to help improve efficiencies in processes and databases related to Sales and Customer Service. Gills will also help chart the effectiveness of sales strategies and programs.
From his time as a fly-fishing guide in Alaska, working in corporate and institutional IT, running a successful gourmet mushroom farm, to Hoffman Nursery, Gillis has been in customer service his entire career. His primary focus as Sales and Customer Service Manager, aside from growing sales, will be to improve service and fulfillment to existing and new accounts to ensure customers receive the quality product they expect from Hoffman Nursery.
“Stephen’s cordial interactions with customers, thoroughness, and determination to provide customers with the best service, keep them happy and coming back,” says David Hoffman, Senior Director of Sales and Operations. “We are pleased to have him in this role.”
In February 2017, Alex Stanley-Stretch joined Hoffman Nursery as Marketing Assistant, and in 2020, she became Marketing and Graphic Design Associate. Since then, she has and continues to make significant contributions to maintaining and increasing Hoffman Nursery’s standing in the industry and marketing its brand and products. Stanley-Stretch will have increased responsibilities for the nursery’s marketing efforts in her new role. She will coordinate and handle trade show activities and events and continue to manage and create content for Hoffman Nursery’s social media and website. She remains responsible for managing the yearly catalog project including everything from the designing process to print. She will also work closely with the sales team to provide marketing materials that will educate and inform their customer base.
After graduating college, Stanley-Stretch worked for a full-service marketing and advertising company before joining the Governor’s Office in Virginia. While there, she helped facilitate statewide agriculture and tourism initiatives, tours, events, and everyday tasks at the Executive Mansion. After leaving Richmond and moving to North Carolina, she returned to marketing, working as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Manager for a newspaper and media company. Stanley-Stretch also volunteers her graphic design services in her free time, most recently designing the Perennial Plant Association’s logo.
Regarding her newly assigned position, David Hoffman says “Because of Alex’s experience with us and her previous experience, she brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to our marketing, and we are excited about her more extensive position at the nursery.”
Both Alex and Stephen shifted into their new roles in August 2022.
ForemostCo, Inc. Strengthens Sales Team with New Appointments
ForemostCo, a leading global grower and distributor of young plants, has announced three new additions to the sales team. Neil Beatty, Victoria Sossoman, and Pamela Glaze have joined as Sales Representatives to accelerate growth and expansion plans.
National Sales Manager Chris Rocheleau says that the appointments are part of an ongoing development program that has seen the company expand substantially over the last two years.
“We have been growing our business and are committed to build on this success by adding to the team. Our customers tell us that our personal approach sets us apart and adding to the team will make us even more accessible to them,” Rocheleau says.
- Victoria Sossoman: Victoria worked as a grower with Metrolina and Curaleaf for many years prior to her position as inside sales representative at BWI Companies Inc. Her diverse and service-oriented background will help her serve ForemostCo customers on the East Coast of Florida.
- Pamela Glaze: Pamela joined ForemostCo as a Customer Service Representative in 2019 with 10 years of experience in administrative and sales associate roles. Her proactive approach, passion, and dedication to sales and customers has been exceptional and has earned her the opportunity to serve customers in South Florida and Puerto Rico.
- Neil Beatty: Neil has worked in and around the green industry for more than 25 years ranging from growing, chemical, and plant sales, to commercial sales of turf. His extensive background in the industry and well-rounded experience will enable him to aid our customers in the Southeast from a technical side and identify their demands in a timely manner to ensure full deliveries of quality starter material.
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