Dümmen Orange North America Hires Two Experienced Horticulturists and Promotes National Sales Manager
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 13, 2024) – Dümmen Orange North America recently promoted Tim Clark to national sales manager in the U.S., and hired Sarah Thompson to become its new western regional sales manager and Michelle McElhannon, PhD to be its new technical specialist.
Based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, Clark now oversees Dümmen Orange’s extensive network of customers, broker companies and sales representatives throughout the U.S.
“During his time with us, Tim brings a reliable, measured and collaborative approach with our customers and with our teams,” said Frank Magnusson, Dümmen Orange COO for North and Central America. “Coupled with his management experience, we look forward to growing our sales into the future.”
Prior to joining Dümmen Orange in spring 2022, Clark worked 25 years for Benken Florist Home and Garden Center as general manager at the storied southwestern Ohio company. He gained practical business experience before that as a zone operations manager for five years with Frito-Lay North America. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana.
Clark’s professional credentials are many and feature the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association where he has served on the organization’s board of directors including a term as board president. He was national tour chair from Ohio for the American Nursery and Landscape Association in 2008. Clark also served in numerous leadership roles for the Midwest Landscape Network including secretary from 2007 to 2009, treasurer from 2009 to 2011 and president from 2011 to 2013.
As an experienced horticulture professional, Thompson has two decades of expertise in sales, relationship management and program development.
“We are thrilled about Sarah joining our sales team,” said Magnusson. “She knows how to drive sales growth, train and develop field teams, manage customer accounts, and strengthen long-term relationships which are all key to our company’s success.”
Prior to joining Dümmen Orange, Thompson spent the past 20 years serving in multiple roles at Olson’s Greenhouse Gardens, a well-known annual and perennial bedding plant supplier. She gained additional industry experience with a brief stint at Franz Witte Nursery and being an instructor at the College of Western Idaho.
Based in Boise, Idaho, Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Boise State University and she has also earned additional professional certifications over the past 20 years.
McElhannon is a scientist with over 20 years of experience in horticulture, agriculture and academia. With an extensive background in laboratory, greenhouse and growth chamber research, she has worked with plant propagation, crop protection products and plant nutrition.
“Whenever you find someone with as much technical experience as Michelle has, you jump at the opportunity to bring that person on board which is what we did,” said Magnusson. “She understands how to work within a cross-functional team environment and is capable of translating complex scientific concepts to others, especially non-experts.”
Before arriving at Dümmen Orange, McElhannon worked at Consolidated Greenhouse Solutions, BASF, Northeast Georgia Health District, Carole’s Nursery, Horticultural Consulting Services Inc., and Oglevee Limited. She gained additional professional experience working as a graduate researcher at NC State and Auburn.
North Carolina based, McElhannon earned a PhD in Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University, her master’s degree in horticulture from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of Georgia along with additional professional certifications.