Tony Alvarez AIFDVentura, CAbio coming soon…

Deborah Chang Di Bella AIFDHonolulu, HIIn 2007, Debby was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in Palm Desert. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and a Professional Diploma in Secondary Art Education from University of Hawaii. She has worked in the floral industry for over 25 years, with family-owned business, Malia’s Leis & Flowers; then co-owned a floral wedding company, Sun-Made Designs, Inc.; and since 1996, an owner of Ambiance Today – a floral company. She has experience as a designer, a visual display artist, buyer and as an instructor. She has been teaching Adult Ed-Wedding Design since 1998. She brings years of creative endeavour, technical and organizational skills to the DESIGN358 team.

Nitaya Emig AIFDTulsa, OKNitaya began her career in professional floristry 12 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she gained experience working in retail flowers shops. She won the Oklahoma Cup ‘Designer of the Year’ Award in 1998, the Oklahoma Masters’ Cup in 1999, the Stuppy Cup in 2000, and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2000 as well. In 2004, Nitaya was a featured designer for ‘AIFD Across America’ in Oklahoma City, and in Palm Desert in 2007, she presented her first AIFD National Stage Program entitled “Exotic Impressions”. Nitaya is skilled at visual merchandising and has also enjoyed teaching workshops. Her forte is in detailed, intricate sculptural floral work and her creative artistry is certainly a valued asset to the Design358 Team.

Scott Hasty AIFDOrange, TXScott began his horticultural career when he opened Scott’s Planter in 1977, which transitioned into a flower shop. He sold the business in 1981, working outside of the industry until 1994. Scott is the owner and principal designer of J Scotts AFlorist, a unique floral studio in Orange, Texas. He has won the Allied Florists “Houston Cup” in 2003 and went on to win the Texas Cup that year. He has guest-designed at numerous floral shows and has been involved serving on floral industry boards. In July 2006, Scott was inducted into the prestigious floral organization, AIFD. Scott pursues his passion for flowers through education, staying abreast of trends and new styles. He is a great team player.  He brings his brand of meticulousness, technical skills and professionalism to the DESIGN358 team.

Lois Hiranaga AIFDPaia, HIA native of the beautiful island of Maui, Lois has been active in the floral industry for 24 years. After earning a degree in marketing and management at University of Hawaii, Lois applied her talents to every aspect of operations at Howard’s Nurseries, Inc. for 16 years. There, she acquired an extensive background in horticulture with an emphasis in floriculture and interiorscape. Her experience at the nursery developed into a passion for flowers and design. Today, as a freelance designer, her exquisite designs can be found gracing the lobbies of the finest Maui resorts, including the Four Seasons Resort at Wailea and the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. Her passion for design has led her to pursue study under Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Gregor Lersch, Phil Rulloda AIFD, Moniek Vanden Berghe, Tomas De Bruyne, Per Benjamin, Max van de Sluis, and Rene van Rems AIFD. She has won awards in both national and regional competitions and will be inducted into the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers in July of 2008. Her keen eye for detail and her ability to transcend an ambiance are assets Lois brings to the DESIGN358 team.

Paul Jaras AIFDCalgary, ABPaul began his career as a floral designer after studies in Fine Art, Architectual Technology, and Apparel Design and Development.  He trained in a highly successful shop in Edmonton, AB in the late eighties and won the Teleflora Design Canada Award in 1991, then represented Canada in an International Design competition in Athens, Greece.  Since then he has extensive retail flower shop experience, worked as a freelance floral designer and consultant, and has worked as an instructor of floral design in various capacities including facilitating workshops and appearing in designs shows.  Paul is a contributing editor for the Calgary lifestyle magazine, ‘Avenue’ and a contract stylist on other photographic projects of interiors.  He was inducted inthe American Institute of Floral Designers in 2000 and now serves on both the Northwest Region Board and the National Board of Directors.  He was creative director of Flourish by Design, a retail floral operation in Calgary, AB.  In the summer of 2007, Paul was introduced to the international floral design community in a main stage Design Presentation at eh AIFD National Symposium in Palm Desert, CA with fellow Design358 colleagues, Hitomi Gilliam AIFD and Donald Yim AIFD.  Paul is honored to brring his awareness of classic, modern, and contemporary design from various artistic disciplines and throughtful conceptual design to the Design358 Team.

Debbie Kimura-Alvarez AIFDVentura, CADebbie is an accredited AIFD candidate due to be inducted in Chicago 2008. She graduated from CalPoly San Luis Obispo in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ornamental Horticulture – she was 1 of 4 outstanding seniors in the School of Agriculture. She owned and operated Sweet Peas Flowers & Gifts in Ventura, CA for 17 years.  Currently, Debbie is a floral design teacher in a Regional Occupational Program in Camarillo, CA.  Debbie’s experience in all aspects of the floral business gives her a great appreciation and enthusiam for the industry and a passion to bring new and innovative ideas to her classroom.  She brings her exceptional organizational talent, great people skills, and her efficiency of technical execution to the DESIGN 358 team.

Susanne Law AIFDSurrey, BCSusanne is an accredited professional floral designer who will be inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in Chicago in July, 2008. She had a wedding consulting business for 10 years, worked in retail and taught an accredited floral design program in Surrey Continuing Education. She served as President of the Canadian Professional Floral Designers Association for two years and has been active teaching and demonstrating at various venues in Vancouver. She has assisted as well as co-instructed with Hitomi Gilliam AIFD on numerous big projects. She brings her exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills to the DESIGN358 team.

Yukari Mitsui AIFDNorth Vancouver, BCYukari is an accomplished floral designer who, upon completion of floral design program, works for a company who serves elite hotels in Vancouver. She currently serves as the President of the Canadian Professional Floral Designers Association. She is a past winner of People’s Choice awards (2005) at CanWest Horticultural Show at Canada Place. Yukari has developed her skills working with Donald Yim AIFD and further mentored by Hitomi Gilliam AIFD. She brings her exceptional attention to detail and meticulousness of execution to the DESIGN358 team.

Lottie Nys AIFDOwasso, OKLottie was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 1997 and currently serves on AIFD’s National Board of Directors.  She has worked at the Teleflora Education Center for 13 years and also as a visual dislay artist for several major permanent showrooms.  Lottie has had formal training with Phil Rulloda, Els Hazenberg, Hitomi Gilliam, John Haines, and Tor Gunderson.  She is a teacher as well as a mentor, and has experience in retail, designing for PFD magazine, and visual dislay artistry.  Lottie brings her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to the Design358 Team.

Brooke Raulerson AIFDAmelia Island, FLBrooke began her floral design career in 1996 as she assisted with the family business.  She followed in her mother’s footsteps, who has over 30 years experience in accredited floral design.  Brooke purchased the family business, Artistic Florist, located in beautiful Amelia Island, Florida in 2005.  She is a Florida State Master Designer and is accredited by the Florida State Florist Association.  In 2002 Brooke won 1^st Place as Designer of the Year for the North East Florida Florist Association Competition.  In addition to her floral art expertise, she has assisted builders with designing home interiors and operated as the photo shoot stylist. Brooke is experienced in visual merchandising, interior design, marketing and is an active educator.  She is due to be inducted to the American Institute of Floral Designers in July of 2009.  Brooke offers a wealth of professionalism, talent and passion to the DESIGN358 Team.

Donald Yim AIFDRichmond, BCDonald was inducted into the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers in 2005. He has an extensive background of over 18 years, designing flowers and consulting. He has created designs for Sarah MacLachlan, Vicki Gabereau, Vancouver Canucks players as well as for the Vancouver Opera. He has participated in numerous floral show and exhibitions internationally and was a featured presenter at the 2007 AIFD National Symposium in California. He maintains a creative philosophy, always subscribing to an up-to-date, trendy outlook in floral artistry. He brings his exceptional technical expertise, creative mind, management skills and super efficiency to the DESIGN358 team.

Kevin Ylvisaker AIFDMukwonago, WIKevin comes to the floral industry with a background in art specializing in sculpture and weaving.  He has been in the floral industry for more than thirty years.  Kevin is a freelance designer with his company KLY Floral International.  He is a Teleflora Education Specialist, and Oasis Design Director, is on the design team for Fitz Designs and Acolyte Technologies, and is an endorsed designer for Design Master.  Kevin is a certified member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and is also a Past President.  He is also a member of PFCI, Professional Floral Communicators International.  Kevin is a past president of of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florists Association (WUMFA).  Nationally he has designed and judged accross the country for garden clubs, wholesale houses, state associations, floral organizations, and floral wire services.  Kevin has presental international design programs and taught classes in England, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Canada.  Kevin has been featured in Teleflora’s Flowers& Magazine numerous times, and is a contributor to Smithers Oasis’ IDEA Magazine and does the majority of the Worlwide advertising for Smithers Oasis.  He is a fantastic presenter with exceptional expertise in all areas of floristry and brings super-efficient production skills to the Design358 Team.