Each year the NJNLA recognizes a leader in the in the Horticultural Industry with the Horticultural Professional of the Year award.This award is given to someone who is recognized for outstanding contributions to the commercial horticulture industry in New Jersey. To be qualified, the individual must be a member of the association, and can represent any segment of the industry, nursery, landscape, greenhouse, or retail.

2024 - Fran Chismar

Pinelands Nursery & Supply

2023 - Britney O'Donnell

O'Donnell Garden Design

2022 – Bob Heitzman

Michell’s

2021 – Richard A McCoy

Richard A. McCoy Horticultural Services Inc.

2020 - Lucas Greenhouses

George & Louise Lucas

2019 – Robert D. LaHoff

Halls Garden Center & Florist

2018 – Rob Swanekamp

Kube Pak Growers

2017 – H. Keith MacIndoe

Johnson Farms

2016 – Dan Mayo

Waterford Gardens

2015 – George Smith

Blue Sterling Nursery

2014 – Art Laster

Plant Detectives Inc., Chester, NJ

2013 – Dan Czarniak

Chesterfield Nursery LLC, Hammonton, NJ

2012 – Steve Wagner

Brock Farms Home and Garden World, Colts Neck, NJ

2011 – Bill Griffin

W.V. Griffin Nurseries, East Brunswick, NJ

2010 – Donald Knezick

Pinelands Nursery, Columbus, NJ

2009 – Henry Daum

Four Seasons Nursery, Englishtown, NJ

2008 – J. Lindsay Clarkson

Tuckahoe Nurseries, Inc., Tuckahoe, NJ

2007 – Rich Hesselein

Pleasant Run Nursery, Allentown, NJ

2006 – Larry Kuser

Fernbrook Nursery, Bordentown, NJ

2005 – Roger Ruske

Cumberland Nurseries, Millville, NJ

2004 – Thomas W. Fish

Thomas W. Fish Landscape Nurseryman, Summit, NJ

2003 – Michael Menkenko

Village Nurseries, Hightstown, NJ

2002 – William J. McNaughton

McNaughton’s Nurseries, Cherry Hill, NJ

2001 – William K. Doerler

Doerler Landscapes, Yardville, NJ

2000 – Ivan Olinsky

Princeton Nurseries, Allentown, NJ

1999 – Earl F. Ervey

Blue Sterling Nursery, Bridgeton, NJ

1998 – Franz Fuertges

Franz Fuertges Landscaping, Denville, NJ

1997 – Paul A. Dorko

Hidden Valley Nursery Inc., Stockton, NJ

1996 – David F. Ferrucci

Ferrucci Nurseries, Newfield, NJ

1995 – Carl J. Quazza

Haledon Nurseries Inc., Wayne, NJ

1994 – Richard J. Henkel

Princeton Horticultural Services, Princeton, NJ

1993 – Douglas W. Kale

Kale’s Nursery & Landscape Service Inc., Princeton, NJ

1992 – George Dean

Dean’s Evergreens Inc., Monroeville, NJ

1991 - Noble F. McNaughton

McNaughton’s Nurseries, Cherry Hill, NJ

1990 – Edward J. Overdevest

Overdevest Nurseries LP, Bridgeton, NJ