Mar 12, 2018

Riffey Named GM at Smithers-Oasis

Smithers-Oasis Company   has promoted William (Bill) Riffey to general manager, grower operations – Americas, Europe and Africa. The organizational change is part of a strategic plan to significantly increase Smithers-Oasis’ brand Oasis Grower Solutions’ sales through a channel-focused effort.

Bringing more than 30 years of experience to the position, Riffey has held the position of general manager, North America, Oasis Growers Solutions since 2015. In 2016, he was given additional responsibility for South America.

Prior to joining Smithers-Oasis, Riffey was national sales and marketing manager at Pleasant View Gardens, Loudon, N.H., and vice president of sales and marketing, territory sales manager and customer service manager at Aris Horticulture Inc. (formerly Yoder Brothers), Barberton, Ohio.

In his new position, Riffey plans to leverage the existing locations of Smithers-Oasis to build local markets for Oasis Grower Solutions products. He also intends on developing the “Follow the Plants” strategy using technologies from Oasis Grower Solutions, Oasis Floral Products and Floralife post-harvest products to provide insurance through the horticulture supply chain globally.

“The promotion of Bill Riffey is part of our strategic plan that we are confident will significantly increase Oasis Grower Solutions and Floralife global sales,” said Jim Daly, vice president, global Floralife and Grower operations and corporate research.

Riffey earned his bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from the University of Illinois and executive MBA from Kent State University.