Tim Dewey, Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist

1. What moved you to serve on the WF&FSA Board of Directors? 

I first got involved in WF&FSA many moons ago, as a member of the Young Execs Group and that was my first opportunity to learn and interact in a neutral learning environment with industry peers. Since that time I have served on three WF&FSA committees, so it was an easy choice when asked to serve on the board.

2. Tell us about your company.
Bob and Doris Wilkins formed 
Delaware Valley as a small local wholesaler serving the Southern New Jersey marketplace in 1959. We have been fortunate in our growth cycle, with many dedicated employees working to serve Florists over the years. In recent times we have expanded our distribution network to include delivery to customers in 10 states in the mid Atlantic/Northeastern USA. We also have a company in Miami that ships Nationwide.

3. What is the most interesting thing that happened to you in your business? 

I was involved in the first part of my career primarily in the buying and product management areas of our business. One of the fond memories I have were the initial trips to Quito, Ecuador at the time where the business was in its infancy. I had been to Colombia a number of times before and it was amazing to witness the growth at the initial stages of the Ecuadorian flower industry.

4. What value does being on the WF&FSA board bring to you?
Being asked to serve on the board has been an extreme honor for me. To be able to create and share ideas along with Industry leaders is very fulfilling. The goal for WF&SFA is to serve its membership, which in turn helps to create consistency and viability for its members and there is huge value to our industry in that goal.

5. Describe the value or benefit that WF&FSA membership brings to your company.
I would say that the educational and networking opportunities provide the biggest benefit for our company. Being able to send employees into an environment where you know they will learn and network with industry members. People also create lifelong business relationships, which once again works positively to make all of us stronger.

6. What is the number one thing you want to accomplish as a board member?
To contribute in a way that helps make our industry stronger and sustainable for the future.

7. How did you get into the wholesale floral Industry?
When I was in London I was working in the music recording business, however after immigrating to the USA found little opportunities in the Southern New Jersey area in that field. We really did not have the funds to move to LA or New York where the recording business was focused, so I asked new father in law, Bob Wilkins if I could work at the company temporarily, so he started me unloading flower trucks on the night shift. That progressed to various operational roles and then the opportunity came up to work in the purchasing area came up and it stuck!! At the time the similarity between the two industries was very long hours!!!

8. What is your favorite part of the WF&FSA Floral Distribution Conference? 

That’s a tough one to answer as there are so many good parts, but I have always been partial to the breakfast events, the speakers, the presentations and the awards. It a great way to start the day and I wish we could get more to attend, especially on the Friday morning.

9. How have you used relationships developed through WF&FSA to help you at work?
The relationships developed through WF&FSA events provide one of the biggest upsides to me. Sometimes a company can create its own view of the world and that can be very introspective. When you develop relationships with peers as part of the events you soon realize that many of us face very similar issues and it is helpful to share ideas and to hear ideas about how other companies work through the challenges we face.