Star Roses and Plants Appoints South Florida Manager
The appointment follows a long-term retirement, signaling a shift in regional account management for Florida operators.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People
Star Roses and Plants has appointed industry veteran Kim Anders-Luber as the new territory manager for South Florida. This leadership transition follows the October 2026 retirement of Jim Darden.
Why it matters
The change in territory management marks a major shift for the company’s regional sales operations after nearly 30 years of stability under the outgoing manager.
The new appointment brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, succeeding a position held for nearly 30 years by the retiring incumbent. These figures underscore a significant change in long-term sales leadership for the company's South Florida territory.
The players
Kim Anders-Luber
An industry professional with over 20 years of experience who now oversees South Florida sales operations.
Jim Darden
A long-term territory manager who served at the company for nearly 30 years before retiring.
Star Roses and Plants
A horticultural company that produces and distributes rose and plant varieties to commercial growers and retailers.
The details
Kim Anders-Luber steps into the territory manager role with a background spanning roles at John Deere Landscapes, McGregor Plant Sales, and McHutchison Horticultural Distributors. Her appointment, which follows a degree in plant science and landscape systems from the University of Tennessee, concludes a planned transition phase within the Star Roses and Plants sales team.
Timeline
October 2026: Jim Darden retired from his position.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition tracks with the broader horticultural industry trend of replacing veteran staff to maintain continuity in regional sales coverage. The move follows a common pattern where specialized firms prioritize decades of field-specific experience when filling high-tenure positions.
Operations in South Florida should monitor potential shifts in account management and regional sales service levels during this transition period. Commercial clients should reach out to their account leads to confirm current points of contact for future orders.
The takeaway
Long-tenured personnel changes require businesses to review their communication protocols and account-management handoffs to ensure seamless service. Operators should track the impact of such leadership shifts on regional fulfillment to identify any potential service disruptions.
Further reading
For updates on regional executive shifts, visit our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nursery Management.
