In an effort to increase the level of service provided to independent garden centers that comprise 77% of their total customer base, Proven Winners has created a new staff position dedicated exclusively to servicing these customers in addition to offering free staff training to independent retailers through their certified program, event planning services and value-added services designed to help independent retailers increase sales.
Jessica DeGraaf, formerly of Walters Gardens, a Proven Winners perennials provider, has joined the Proven Winners team as Retail Account Manager. In her new role, she will serve as a business development facilitator between IGCs and their grower suppliers, brokers and sales representatives. DeGraaf is an industry veteran with prior work in sales and marketing at Benary Seed Company and C. Raker and Sons. She holds a master’s degree in horticulture from Michigan State University.
“We are extremely excited that Jessica is joining Proven Winners as her strong background in the industry combined with her professionalism and charming personality will be a huge asset to the thousands of garden centers that participate in the Proven Winners program,” said Dave Konsoer, Director of Sales for Proven Winners.
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