By Julie Tomascik
Editor
No matter how many thorns, it’s always been a bed of roses for Mark Chamblee. And he was recognized by the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) for his years of membership and contributions to the industry.
Chamblee, who owns and operates Chamblee’s Rose Nursery in Tyler, recently received the Arp Award, which is the highest honor awarded to a Green Industry professional in Texas.
“It’s quite an honor to receive recognition from the industry and organization you’ve been involved with for most of your life. To be recognized by peers and the industry is very humbling, and I’m very appreciative of it,” said Chamblee, who also serves as Texas Farm Bureau’s vice president and District 5 state director.
His horticulture career spans more than 31 years. He has developed many varieties of roses, including the Earth-Kind Rose, which can survive harsh weather conditions and environments.
Chamblee has been a member of TNLA for more than three decades, serving 11 of those years on TNLA’s state board of directors and as chairman in 2013.
“Since 1973, I’ve managed our family business,” he said. “Through the years, to be successful, you’re not going to make it on your own. That’s where an association really helps. The members of this association all pull together and work together,” he said. “It’s really like another family in a way. It’s truly an honor to receive the award.”
Over the years, Chamblee has also received the Award of Excellence from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Bill and Mary Clements Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership in Agriculture in 2012 and was named Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture for District 5 from the County Agriculture Agents Association in 2014.
“Mark Chamblee is perceived as a leader in this industry by so many. He is an innovator, and he is a teacher,” Amy Graham, TNLA president, said. “His leadership throughout the years has helped TNLA continue to raise the bar for our members to be able to do business better.”
The Arp Award was presented to Chamblee on Aug. 17 during the TNLA Awards Celebration in San Antonio. He was also recognized with the lifetime membership award.