Dec 18, 2019
Great Way to Recharge Your Batteries By Tim Hodson

Earlier this month, GPN’s Big Grower presented a free webinar on “Outlook 2020: What’s on the Economic and Legislative Horizon in the Coming Year.”

During the hour-and-a-half webinar, our industry’s leading economist as well as the horticulture industry’s voice in Washington D.C., Dr. Charlie Hall (Texas A&M) and Craig Regelbrugge (AmericanHort), teamed up to present this year’s Big Grower Executive Webinar.

If you weren’t able to join us on Dec. 4, you can still access the webinar (and it’s still free) on our website.

During the webinar, Hall and Regelbrugge provided participants with their keen insight and commentary on what they see is on the economic and legislative horizon for 2020.

They examined up-to-the-minute issues facing our industry to help growers make sense of these complicated topics and how they could influence the industry in the coming year.

If you’ve got a little spare time over the holidays, and you need to take a break from all of the hustle and bustle, this is a great way to recharge your batteries and start preparing for the new year.

You can access the webinar, as well as all of our other archived webinars at www.gpnmag.com/edwebinar/.

Happy Holidays!

— Tim

 

Tractor Supply Names New CEO

Earlier this month, Tractor Supply Co. announced that its board of directors has named Hal Lawton as its president, chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective Jan. 13, 2020. Lawton, who is currently president of Macy’s, will succeed Tractor Supply’s CEO Greg Sandfort, who previously announced his plans to retire. “Hal is a proven leader with a unique omnichannel experience to deliver on our customer’s evolving expectations as we look to the future of retail … Hal has a broad base of experience in retail with a proven ability to drive innovative growth strategies,” said Cynthia Jamison, chairman of the board. Sandfort will remain with the company through Feb. 29, 2020, and then serve as advisor until August.

Very Merry Meijer Event Helps Spread Cheer

On Dec. 14, Michigan-based Meijer stores played Santa and surprised an unsuspecting customer at every one of its 247 stores with a $1,000 Meijer shopping spree. The surprises were given during the sixth annual Very Merry Meijer event. Previously, Meijer surprised one customer in each store by gifting them their entire cart. This year, however, the retailer surprised one unsuspecting customer with a $1,000 Meijer shopping spree — and also provided two Meijer team members as personal shoppers. Those team members each received a $100 Meijer gift card.

Pro Bowler Bears Down on Walmart Layaway Accounts

Kahlil Mack, the all-pro linebacker for the Chicago Bears, made Christmas even more joyous for more than 300 Walmart customers in his hometown of Fort Pierce, Florida. Mack, through his charitable foundation, paid off all the outstanding layaway accounts at the Fort Pierce Walmart store — to the tune of nearly $80,000. According to the store’s manager, the foundation approached the store saying that Kahlil wanted to be their Secret Santa this year. Earlier this year, Mack donated 100 pairs of Nike cleats to the Fort Pierce Westwood High School football team


Tim Hodson




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GPN recognizes 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the horticulture industry. These individuals are today’s movers and shakers who are already setting the pace for tomorrow.
FlogelKrystal
WorkentineJaclyn
PantojaPitaAlejandro
AllenTanner
ArmstrongJacki
LaraLaura
StokesHans
RuschJared
KnauerRyan