Illumitex has added three team members to the horticulture science staff. This expands the team to five and gives the company over 50 years of horticultural experience. Yan Ren-Butcher, Ph.D., joins the Illumitex team as the Director of Horticulture Science. Ren-Butcher earned her Ph.D. Degree in Horticultural Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2011. Ren-Butcher has many years of experience, focusing largely on helping to bridge the science of lighting with horticulture to ensure her consumers understand the value in the lighting technology. Ren-Butcher will propel Illumitex in horticulture research and development, drive innovation and insight into the LED technology, and educate growers on the role that LED lighting plays in the success of controlled environment agricultural, according to a press release.
Veronica Hoyos Leonard also joins the team as the Horticulture Sales Scientist supporting the Western North American territories. Hoyos Leonard comes to Illumitex with a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering, specializing in Horticulture Crops from Monterrey Tech University. Hoyos Leonard has experience in assisting growers on best practices highlighting the importance of sustainability and efficiency including several years of managing a 400,000 sq. ft. greenhouse in Ft. Davis, TX. Hoyos Leonard will work closely with the sales team to develop lighting layouts, consult with growers on their operation, and be the point of contact for post-installation support.
Additionally, Rosalie Kelley, Master Inhouse Grower, joins the team to conduct studies on proper care for a plant under LED lighting. Kelley has an extensive background in growing and maintaining a wide variety of plants. She holds a Master’s Degree in Agriculture from Texas State University. Kelley will be managing the care of the plants that Illumitex grows in-house as they continue to test and develop new lighting technologies.
“Illumitex is proud of the rapid expansion the company is seeing as we move into 2018,” says John Spencer, SVP Sales and Marketing of Illumitex. “2018 is projected to be the best year in the company’s history supported by our expansion of sales, marketing, and horticulture teams over the course of 2017.”
