McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture hire three sales staff members

Jeff LaCourse was recently hired as perennial technical sales specialist and Ryan Noack and Diana Shull were hired as sales representatives for McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture.

With 46 years of professional experience working in the horticultural industry, LaCourse has been involved with growing operations in Texas, Oregon and California. His background includes expertise in propagation, stock production, production planning, growing, technical support, product development, sales and marketing.

“We’re really excited to have Jeff join our McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture team,” said Ken Turrentine, president of McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture. “His extensive knowledge of perennials is truly incredible. He will help us further develop and grow that market share which is very important.”  

LaCourse has been responsible for propagation and stock production of perennials, ornamental shrubs and annuals for more than 900 different genera of plants. Prior to joining McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture, he served as the integrated product team lead for perennials at Dümmen Orange.

Noack and Shull will focus on managing relationships with customers, serve as a key point of contact, attend industry events and share product knowledge to increase sales and educate others in the marketplace.

“We are thrilled to have two team members as experienced as Diana and Ryan joining our McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture team,” Turrentine said. “Our customers will benefit the most from all the great customer service, relevant industry expertise and product knowledge that they’ve brought to our sales team.”

Noack's past experience includes the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center, Special K Ranch, Big Sky Watershed Corps, CyBIZ Lab and Montana State University. He earned his master’s degree in agriculture education from Montana State University and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Iowa State University.

Shull has 25 years of industry experience, including at Longwood Gardens, Brick Street Farms, Dümmen Orange, Center Greenhouses, Ball Horticultural Company and Wagner Greenhouses. She earned her master’s degree in production from Metro State University and a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Illinois State University.

LaCourse, Noack and Shull will be attending Cultivate’24 along with other McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture team members. Both companies will be exhibiting at booth #1233.