Remember Jack

There is going to be something missing for me this year at the California Spring Trials. That “something” is the anticipation I usually feel as I pull into the parking lot of the Ecke Ranch first thing Saturday morning. I could always count on technical advisor Jack Williams to be standing at the entrance waiting to take me through the trials. As many of you know, Jack died Oct. 18, 2010, at the age of 54.

Jack brought a sense of excitement to my trial visit -- that I was about to experience something unique. Jack was my host for the coming-out event for Ecke’s new varieties. His enthusiasm was contagious and made me want to find out more about the plants, production specifics, uses and retail/consumer benefits.

Jack, who was a 26-year Ecke employee, served on the OFA board of directors and was a member of the association’s grower committee for 15 years. During his time on the committee, he served 10 years as chair or co-chair.

The Ecke Ranch is planning to include a Jack Williams Memorial tribute display at the trials. Ecke marketing creative consultant Snow Maestas said the display is meant to give visitors an opportunity to remember Jack and spend some quiet moments in reflection.
 

Educating the industry
Jack was always a strong proponent of education, so it is fitting that OFA is establishing a scholarship fund in his memory. OFA will manage the fund as part of its Scholars Program (www.ofa.org/scholars.aspx).

Through his involvement with OFA, Jack was instrumental in developing new educational concepts, working to keep programs fresh and introducing new speakers and topics to the OFA Short Course. He developed a grower interactive, on-the-fly, hot-topic session that benefitted growers and trade show exhibitors. He was always an entertaining and informative speaker and facilitator at the Short Course and OFA outreach educational workshops. Jack also wrote articles for the OFA Bulletin and OFA Tips book series, as well as for numerous trade publications, including Greenhouse Management. 

Contributions to the Jack Williams Scholarship Fund can be made care of OFA, 2130 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215; (614) 487-1117; ofa@ofa.org; www.ofa.org.