GLFF Hall of Fame

Eighth Inductee – Mrs. Kathy Petz AAF, CF, PFCI – Inducted 2014

Kathy began sweeping floors at Pearce Floral as a co-op student in 1958.  Many years, and lots of training later, she was a designer at several Michigan floral shops including Maple Lane and Jacobsen’s Flowers.  During this time, she received an Associate’s degree in business from Oakland Community College.  In 1983, after three years in sales, she experienced two life-changing events…her marriage to Stephen Petz, and the beginning of her 30-year career as a wire service representative.

While she has won contests and received awards, when you ask Kathy what makes her most proud, it is her three children, Kevin, Kelly and Craig.  Along with her grandchildren Shannon and Sawyer, they are the light of her life.  Also important has been the opportunity to create educational opportunities for the florists who mean so much to her! Florists have lauded her “Secret Shopper Program” for more than 20 years.  She has presented sales and customer service programs for hundreds of florists across the United States and Canada.  She was a member of the Great Lakes Floral Association Board of Directors for 13 years.  On the GLFA education committee, she eventually became chairperson, working with the committee to create a CF (Certified Florist) Manual, which has become a national standard.  In 2012, Kathy retired from Teleflora.  Today she is proud to be a member of the Teleflora Emeritus Team led by her mentor, Tom Butler, AAF, PFCI.