With the addition of three talented "who’s who" in horticulture circles, Hines Nurseries LLC is poised to become the leading progressive company in the nursery business.

Hines Nurseries LLC announces new top management leaders

With the addition of three talented “who’s who” in horticulture circles, Hines Nurseries LLC is poised to become the leading progressive company in the nursery business.


Joining the Hines Nurseries LLC executive management team are Steve Thigpen, president and chief executive officer; Joe Gray, chief operating officer; and Mike Trebing, senior VP of sales and marketing.


“With this team at the helm of Hines, we’re well on the path to realizing our vision,” says Chris Parker, chairman of the board of Hines.”  “For almost ninety years Hines has grown to become the largest purveyor of color plants and shrubs in North America,” says Parker. “We welcome their talent and experience to regain the Company’s leadership position in the horticulture industry.”


Thigpen, who has an earned doctorate in Plant Physiology, has over 25 years executive leadership, P &L Management, strategic planning, and financial and operational due diligence experience in the horticulture industry. He returns to Hines as a key player in growing the company to its number one position.


Thigpen’s passion for excellence in operations and people development is apparent as he gives kudos to his talented team and company employees. “I love the company and what Hines stands for — quality, reliability and integrity,” he says. “It’s in my blood — and I’m eager to revitalize our company and forge ahead to grow the business.” Joe Gray, the new COO, echoes these sentiments. “Hines has the core talent of people to plan, produce and ship quality, high value plants,” he says proudly. “We are looking for new plants, programs and services to reach our ever-evolving market.”


Gray is a Nursery/Horticulture Executive with more than 20 years of leadership in sales and operations, new product management, full P&L responsibility, budget development and strategic plan implementation.


Thigpen says the new leadership is “focused on restoring our customer relationships across all sales channels and improving the Company’s profitability to make Hines more competitive.”


Senior Vice President of sales and marketing, Mike Trebing, wants to return Hines to its former high level of customer service.  “Hines was once the leader in customer satisfaction,” he says.  “We plan to exceed those levels as we transition this company into the future.”


Trebing returned to Hines last year where he had led sales and marketing efforts for 25 years.


Thigpen, Gray, and Trebing share a love for Hines that stems from days together beginning in the 80’s. “We have had our sights on getting back to Hines and continuing its legacy of offering outstanding plants and providing stellar company service,” admits Gray.


Hines Nurseries has commercial nursery facilities that span over 4,000+ acres strategically located throughout the U.S. including Arizona, California, Texas and Oregon. As of January 2009 Hines Nurseries LLC purchased certain of the assets of the former Hines entities.  The Company successfully emerged from bankruptcy with less debt and has been began regaining leadership position in the horticulture industry. 


With state-of-the-art propagation houses, climate and controlled greenhouses, specialized plug/liner production and in-ground production, customers are assured of the broadest and best assortment of plants — all from one grower.


Hines Nurseries new management team is ready to bring the best of the world’s gardens to the home gardener, leveraging worldwide expertise to produce great plants throughout the U.S.


For more information, visit www.hineshorticulture.com