For
Immediate Release
CONTACT INFO: ROB SPIKOL
Houston, Texas: It is with great excitement that Greenleaf and the Greenleaf portfolio of companies announces the promotion of Mary Frances Bennett to the position of Chief Operating Officer. All personnel, divisions and departments will directly and indirectly report to her, effective immediately.
Mary Frances was recruited to work for Greenleaf in 2017. Since joining the company she has worked closely with our leadership team, specifically our special projects
“STRATDEV Division”. With her visionary style and fresh perspective she
has already helped propel company-wide growth beyond expectations. “A lot of things are blooming within the floral industry and I plan to use flowers as my way to inspire, educate and grow our company”, states Mary Frances. “I will make sure that our customers and company are on the winning side of the future and I am so grateful for this opportunity.” Rob Spikol, President and CEO says, “Greenleaf is experiencing its largest sales growth in our history.” Mary Frances has been instrumental in her role within the Strategic Development Division and has helped Greenleaf achieve sustained sales growth, month after month.
“Sales in many of our stores have exceeded 30% growth, consecutively, across our multi-state locations.” Spikol continues, “This promotion is historic for our company and the industry.” At age 29, Mary Frances becomes the youngest Chief Operating Officer of any major floral distribution chain in the United States and the very first Woman to hold this title as well. “Greenleaf is incredibly proud to lead the way and set the standards creating an attractive career path for diversity and youth.”
Mary Frances graduated from Mississippi State University receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture with a concentration in Floral Management. This four-year curriculum is composed of
in-depth training in floral business operations, ornamental floriculture, as well as design aspects of the trade. During her education she also worked at The University Florist, a professional flower shop owned by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences on the MSU Campus.
After graduating, Mary Frances joined Mayesh Wholesale Florist where she was tasked to help them build and create a place within a highly competitive market in Houston, Texas. Greenleaf is excited about her promotion for a multitude of reasons, but most of all this is a direct result of her untiring work, dedicated service and her internal drive to always challenge the status quo. She is a champion for customer experience, and all of these qualities are all fundamental components of Greenleaf’s core values. Mary Frances is passionate about the floral industry and the direction of Greenleaf. “I believe our industry is thriving again and I believe social media plays a major part in that.” she said. “I’ll bring a youthful, millennial twist to an old school way of doing business.”
Please join me in congratulating Mary Frances Bennett on her promotion as we look forward to continuing to strengthen our customers by growing amazing product, sourcing from around the globe and recruiting, retaining and promoting the very best talent our world has to offer.
Robert Spikol,
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