New flower bears name of Roundy's exec

Roundy’s Supermarkets executive Kathy Hession has received an unconventional accolade for her long-running contributions to the floral industry.

Hession is VP of bakery and floral at Roundy’s, the $4 billion operator of 171 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, and she was the recipient of a unique distinction when the 27th annual International Floriculture Expo took place June 10-13 in New Orleans. During a ceremony at the Expo a new variety of a popular flower type called Gerbera that is frequently used in showy arrangements was named “Gerbera Kathy” by Florist Holland B.V., the grower that created the cultivar.

“There is not one supplier, grower, farm or retailer she worked with or for that doesn’t have a story about how she helped them improve and grow their business,” Cindy Hanauer, founder and CEO of Grand Central Floral and past recipient of the naming award said when introducing Kathy Hession at the naming ceremony. “A Gerbera has amazing versatility and flexibility. It can be a beautiful standalone flower or a part of a stunning bouquet. This amazing, vibrant red Gerbera represents Kathy Hession perfectly. With the same versatility and strength of a Gerbera, Kathy continues to pioneer, inspire and grow the floral industry today.”