Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/profiles.html

Fourth Generation of Nurserymen at Johnson's Garden Centers
June 2002
Carolyn Utter, Editor

    He is a self-professed "plant nerd." When asked for a definition of
that term, he replied "someone who's more into plants than they should
be."
    
    Jeremy Johnson is one of the lucky ones. He has been able to combine
his career with his obsession, as the Nursery Buyer at Johnson's Garden
Center. Following in the footsteps of his father, Marty Johnson, Jeremy
is the fourth generation working at Johnson's Garden Center which was
started in the early '50s by Jeremy's great-grandfather, Orie Johnson,
and his grandfather, Harold Johnson.
    
    Jeremy also has been able to combine his involvement in the family
business with his formal education, having graduated in 2001 from
Wichita State University with a degree in Entrepreneurship. It's clear
to see that Jeremy is on the road to succession in this growing family
business.
    
    And just like his parents, Marty and Nancy Johnson, Jeremy and his
new bride Kassy Sullivan chose the month of May to exchange wedding
vows. As this newsletter goes to press, Jeremy and Kassy are returning
from their honeymoon in Europe. Their two-week getaway will include time
in Paris and London. Because Kassy is a die-hard Beatles fan, they'll
also spend some time in Liverpool.
    
    Jeremy and Kassy met four years ago after she started to work at
Johnson's Ridge Road store. It was "almost love at first sight" and they
started dating a short time later. Kassy has a remarkable amount of
energy and drive. She graduated in 2000 from Northwest High School and
graduated in May of 2002 from Wichita State University.  Yes, in just
two years! She will continue her education this fall at WSU as she
pursues her Ph.D. in psychology.
    
    Jeremy's earliest memories of the garden center date back to when he
was 3-4 years old. He remembers the ground-breaking at Johnson's East
location and he remembers his great-grandfather Orie, who was "always in
the greenhouse." His fondest memories of his grandfather, Harold, were
the times they spent on long walks when Jeremy was about 10.
    
    Jeremy followed in his dad's footsteps when he was younger, too. He
remembers tagging along when Marty went between the stores. Jeremy kept
himself occupied on those visits "bothering everybody who was working."
    
    Jeremy started working part-time at Johnson's during his sophomore
year at Heights High School. After spending a year at Kansas State
University, Jeremy transferred to WSU, settled in at Johnson's and
became Johnson's full-time Nursery Buyer in the fall of 1999. As Nursery
Buyer, Jeremy's favorite job is finding new and unusual plant material
to offer our customers. He enjoys keeping in contact with suppliers and
breeders to stay on the cutting edge of what's new in the nursery
industry.
   
   His search for the new and unusual has taken him on several buying 
trips including visits to Monrovia Nursery Co., Iseli Nursery and other
smaller nurseries in Oregon.
    
    So what's it like working as the fourth generation in a family-
owned business? "It's interesting" Jeremy said as the look of a thousand
different memories and emotions crossed his face. "You always take work
home with you, the two are always combined."
    
    Upon returning from their honeymoon, Jeremy and Kassy will settle in
for the summer with Jeremy's dog Ringo, a one-year-old Australian
Shepherd and Lab mix and with Daisy the cat. In the fall, Jeremy and
Kassy will await the arrival of their new toy, a yellow and white 2003
Mini Cooper. Jeremy explained "It will be Kassy's car, but it's always
been my infatuation to own a Mini Cooper." Sounds like this young couple
has already learned the fine art of negotiation.