Page 32 - Free State Winter 2021

FEATURED MEMBER A Carol Kinsley

William Verbrugge of Nursery Sales Associates

ome 50 years ago, William Verbrugge became a

first-time member and board member of what
Swas then the Maryland Nursery Association, on the

same day. He had been recruited by Kenny Ruhl, now

deceased, who was the buyer at Valley View Farms, one

of Verbrugge’s larger accounts as an independent sales
representative for Ingleside Plantation Nurseries (IPN).

Verbrugge said, “I knew that sooner or later he would
ask me to become a member of the MNA and he sure

did. I had no choice but to say yes.” An exemption had

to be made because the rules were that one could

only become a board member after two years in good
standing as a regular member.

A few years later, Verbrugge was made treasurer, a
position he held from 1991 to 2003, keeping track of all

the funds spent without an Excel program — all on his

trusty typewriter.

(continued on next page)

32 WINTER 2021 • Free State News