National Nursery Products

Biographical Profile

William (Bill) T. Ruppert
1328 Forest Avenue Kirkwood, Missouri 63122-6911
Phone: (314) 966-0253 Fax: (314) 966-1830
Email: billr@rupehort.com
Education Profile
	Graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1980 with a BS from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' Horticulture program with a concentration in ornamental horticulture and landscape design.
	As a student in the Horticulture program, coordinated the planning, design, funding acquisition, and construction development of the Woodland and Floral Gardens, a mini-botanical garden on the grounds of the MU Agriculture Building.
	Continues to participate in adult education programs regarding information technology systems and frequently attends a variety of professional horticulture symposiums, lectures and workshops.
Professional Profile
	Upon graduation in 1980, served as Special Projects Coordinator for the University's Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, charged with the responsibility of inventorying the functional and aesthetic needs of the MU campus landscape. In 1982, continued working with the campus office of Campus Facilities - Design Services with the responsibility of coordinating and assisting in the planning, design, construction, and management of a major campus landscape improvement program.
	In the spring of 1990, assumed the management of the St. Louis office of National Nursery Products (NNP), a horticultural sales, marketing and consulting company representing wholesale growers of annual flowers, tropical foliage, hardy perennials, roses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Included among this diverse group of specialty wholesale growers, NNP represents and provides technical field support for Walters Gardens, of Zeeland, Michigan, growers of quality, hardy herbaceous perennial liners since 1945. Locally, NNP - St. Louis provides sales and marketing services for: Bohn's Farm and Greenhouses, of Maryville, Illinois, a wholesale grower of quality "Retail-Ready" and "Landscape-Ready" hardy herbaceous perennials and specialty companion annuals since 1993; and Buckley Growers Illinois, of Taylorville, IL, a wholesale grower of potted specialty companion annuals.
	Active leadership participation in professional and civic organizations includes: Past President - Landscape and Nurserymen?s Association of Greater St. Louis Treasurer - Landscape and Nurserymen?s Association of Greater St. Louis Past President - Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis Executive Director - Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis Chair - 2005 St. Louis Garden Symposium Advisory Board Member - St. Louis Community College @ Meramec Horticulture Program Advisory Committee Member - Missouri Department of Conservation, Grow Native! Program Advisory Committee Member - Chicago Botanic Garden, Rare Affair Advisory Board Member - Plants of Merit, a program of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Powell Gardens Committee Member - Missouri Botanical Garden Strategic Plan Horticulture Committee Advisory Committee Member - Operation Brightside Advisory Committee Member - St. Louis Honeysuckle Consortium 2003-2009 Commission Member - City of Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission 2007-2008 Commission Chair - City of Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission Advisory Board Member - Mizzou Botanic Garden (Columbia, MO) Board Member - Gateway Greening Founder/Coordinator - Kirkwood in BLOOM Co-coordinator - 2007 America in Bloom Kirkwood Steering Committee Past Vice President - Kirkwood Garden Club
Personal Interests
	In addition to professional horticultural activities, enjoys an active gardening hobby including the collection and evaluation of recently introduced plants in a landscaped residential setting located at 1328 Forest Avenue, Kirkwood, Missouri. Special interest is given to combining unique and tough companion annual varieties with a diverse collection of hardy perennials and ornamental shrubs.
	Managing Fox Hollow Farms, a personally owned 100 acre natural area located in the beautiful Missouri River hills of southern Boone county, Missouri.
	Travel and discovery.
February 2008