AIFD Southern Chapter welcomes 2020 Inductees Pattie Wallander ICPF, CFD, James Ross Railey CFD and Magdalena Perlowin CFD.
Remember to join AIFD as we go virtual for the celebration of the 2020 inductees. AIFD will welcome the Institute’s newest members through Facebook Live for this unique, first of its kind event, to take place on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 7 p.m. ET. You can check the Facebook event link here.
Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to connect with the 2020 Inductees to celebrate their accomplishments during this virtual celebration. Watch live as the AIFD President Jackie Lacey AIFD, CFD and Membership Chairperson Louisa Lam AIFD, CFD announce each inductee with their picture and AIFD Accreditation certificate, followed by words of inspiration and congratulations from AIFD members and industry icons.
Welcome to AIFD Southern Chapter:
Pattie Wallander ICPF, CFD
Hernando, MS
Pattie graduated floral design school in 1993 from American Floral Art School in Chicago. She has worked in lots of different avenues of the floral industry: from mass market, wholesale, traditional shops, events, to freelancing.
She was on the Illinois State Floral board for 3 years, working alongside some of the most talented people in the floral
industry. While there, she received her ICPF (Illinois Certified Professional Florist) also obtained her CFD and tested for AIFD.
Pattie has taught FFA students and judged at their national convention. For the past several years she has participated in Art in Bloom at the RAM, in Rockford, she is also part of the planning committee. Pattie loves to share her knowledge with the industry and has been asked to present floral programs and has also participated in Art in Elements.
Pattie´s family recently moved from Illinois to Hernando, MS. Her latest endeavor i becoming a board member of the Tennessee State Floral Association.
James Ross Railey CFD
Bay Minette, AL
J Ross grew up in rural Alabama and learned how to arrange flowers from his grandmother. As his passion grew, so did his interest. He began working as a delivery driver in a local flower shop; where his passion soon lead to becoming a floral designer.
After High School he worked as a free-lance designer and attended Auburn University. He graduated in 1992 with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management; and continued to freelance.
In 2000 he purchased his first shop. As his business flourished, he opened a second shop. As a floral shop owner J Ross served on the board of the Alabama Florist Association; has been published in several industry magazines and is a past Designer of the Year for Alabama and holds numerous awards from the association.
J Ross was selected to work for George W. Bush during a visit to the Tennessee Valley Authority. He has competed across the United in floral competitions and has been the recipient of the Ian Prosser Scholarship from the Florida State Floral Association.
J Ross currently works for Wind Creek Hospitality as the Creator of Excitement; he enjoys using everything he learned about nature growing up to create works of art for the casino.
Magdalena Perlowin CFD
Parkland, FL
Magdalena was born in Mexico and has lived in the US for 23 years. She is married with 3 wonderful children living in Parkland, FL.
She started her professional life as a cosmologist in Mexico and when she came to the US, got her certification here as well. After opening her own salon, she decided to spend more time at home with her children, so she sold it and worked part time.
When Magdalena’s niece had her quinceañera, she helped to decorate and fell in love with party decorating. From there, she started creating floral arrangements for quinceañeras and weddings. She found out about Yola Guz’s school in Miami and decided to become a professional floral designer. Magdalena got her CFD and she is a 2020 AIFD Inductee.
Currently she is working from home and working hard to open a storefront in Broward or Palm Beach County where she plans to sell floral arrangements, as well as decorations for weddings, quinceañeras and other types of parties.