Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2005
Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Elect 2005 Officers and Directors
The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA) selected Mark McCurdy of McCurdy’s Tree Farm in Dillsburg, PA, as president on January 22. Officers for the organization were elected at PCTGA’s annual Winter Conference held January 20 and 21 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
A partner in his York County family owned farm, the new President is in his sixth year as a member of the board, and served last year as vice president.
McCurdy said that during his year as President he would emphasize the importance of quality tree production, as part of his overall commitment to continue the increase in tree sales by expanding the marketing initiatives that have made growing and selling real Christmas trees a $13.9 million business in Pennsylvania. The state currently ranks first nationally in the number of Christmas tree farms and fourth in total Christmas tree production.
The McCurdy family has been selling Christmas trees since 1963. Mark and his wife Laurie have 4 children.
Other officers elected for 2005 include: Vice-President -- Wayne Bizup, Bizup Tree Farm, South Plainfield, NJ; Secretary – Ronald Mancabelli, E-Mar Acres Tree Farm, Saltsburg, PA (Indiana County); and Treasurer – Martin Hozak, Hozak Farms, Clinton, PA (Beaver County).
The new secretary was one of five members of the Board who were re-elected to a second term of office during PCTGA’s Membership Meeting at the Conference. In addition to Mancabelli, they include: Phil Civello, Misty Run Tree Farm, Annville, PA (Lebanon County); Robin Strathmeyer, Strathmeyer Forests, Inc., Dover, PA (York County); Gary Thomas, Jarrettsville Nurseries, Wrightsville, PA (York County); and Richard Yadlosky, Sugar Bend Tree Farm, Sugar Run, PA (Bradford County).
Continuing as Directors for 2005 will be: Don Abraczinskas, Abraczinskas Nurseries, Inc, Catawissa, PA (Columbia County); Glenn Beers, Old Homestead Tree Farm, Kunkletown, PA (Carbon County); Laura Carino, Carino Nurseries, Indiana, PA (Indiana County); John Roba, Roba’s Tree Farm, Inc; Dalton, PA (Lackawanna County); Ellis Schmidt, Schmidts’ Tree Farm, Landenberg, PA (Chester County); Holden Wolfe, Pine Valley Farms, Sykesville, MD; Drew B. Yenser, Yenser’s Tree Farm, Lehighton, PA (Carbon County); and Reed Zimmer, Zimmer Century Tree Farm, Covington, PA (Tioga County).
Gary R. Westlake, Sr., PCH, the outgoing President of PCTGA also concluded his term on the Board at the meeting. He is general manager of Westlake Tree Farms, Pottstown, PA (Chester County).
McCurdy began his term as the new President by naming his appointments for committee chairs over the coming year. They are: Awards – Reed Zimmer, Industry Relations – Glenn Beers, Legislative Affairs – Don Abraczinskas, Marketing & Consumer Education – Robin Strathmeyer, Membership – Martin Hozak and Holden Wolfe, National Christmas Tree Association Liaison -- Ellis Schmidt, PCTGA Foundation – Phil Civello, Penn State Ag Council – Reed Zimmer, Pennsylvania Farm Show – Drew Yenser, Research – Ron Mancabelli, and Winter Conference – Gary Thomas.
The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, with over 400 members, works to promote and develop a community of interest among growers of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania and adjoining states, as well as to raise public awareness about Christmas trees.
CONTACT: Georgene Thompson, 717-243-1349, georgenethompson@comcast.net