Continental Floral Greens, a family-owned grower of premium American-grown foliage and specialty cut floral, is pleased to announce the addition of two experienced sales professionals, Kate Dodde and Klair McDermott, to its mass market sales team, as well as the promotion of Lucia Narciso to wholesale sales manager.

These announcements reflect CFG’s continued investment in building an exceptional, experienced team to support its customers and drive growth across all channels.

“We’re announcing the future of our sales team and our belief in hiring and promoting the most talented individuals,” said Yerandy Palenzuela, vice president of sales for Continental Floral Greens. “CFG is streamlining its sales process and expanding its reach. Not only will we continue to provide industry-leading greens and flowers, but we will do so with an exceptional and experienced team.”

Kate Dodde brings a dynamic background blending marketing, sales and product development within the horticulture industry. Most recently, she spent several years in the Christmas tree industry, working closely with both growers and national accounts to bring products to market in a way that tells a meaningful story and builds genuine connection.

Her experience spans marketing program development, national account support and direct collaboration with growers, always focused on translating the quality and care behind each product into something valuable for the end customer.

“At its core, sales is about relationships,” Dodde said. “The best programs come from true partnerships where everyone at the table feels heard, supported and set up for success. I enjoy the problem-solving side — listening closely, understanding what a customer is trying to achieve, and then working together to bring that vision to life. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing an idea turn into a successful program.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity to represent a broader range of U.S.-grown flowers, bouquets and greenery, while being part of a team that’s clearly growing and evolving,” Dodde said. “CFG has a strong reputation for quality and innovation, and I’m especially looking forward to helping develop programs that highlight U.S.-grown products in a way that feels authentic and compelling — for both our growers and our customers.”

Palenzuela said: “I’m thrilled to have someone with Kate’s experience and enthusiasm join the team. Her drive and ambition align perfectly with our culture and growth plans.”

Klair McDermott is a passionate floral designer, brand founder and industry veteran whose career spans both the creative and commercial sides of the floral world. She holds a degree in horticulture from the University of Connecticut and furthered her education through the New York Botanical Garden’s floral design program. McDermott has owned a floral shop in Connecticut and collaborated with prominent designers in New York City.

For over a decade, McDermott served as the creative lead for an international floral company, specializing in product design, development and sales for fresh-cut flowers in mass-market channels across the U.S. — bringing deep expertise in both innovation and customer relationships to every role she has held.

“I love creating connections and having the opportunity to represent products I genuinely believe in,” McDermott said. “Being able to educate customers and share meaningful knowledge so they feel informed and supported is a key part of what makes this work so rewarding for me.”

“I’m most excited about exploring a new avenue within the floral industry and expanding my growth potential,” she said. “I love understanding the entire process from start to finish, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing the farms and operations firsthand.”

Palenzuela said: “I’m thrilled to have such an enthusiastic and forward-thinking person on the team. After our first meeting, I remember looking over at Troy and asking, ‘So, when is her first day?’ It was clear that she would be a great fit and would do great things with us at CFG. Welcome again.”

Lucia Narciso’s promotion to wholesale sales manager recognizes years of dedication, results and leadership within CFG. She began her career in the floral industry in Guatemala and played a key role in establishing CFG’s Guatemala office in 2018. Since then, she has grown steadily within the organization — starting as an inside sales representative managing mass market accounts and wholesale customers, with an early focus on growing CFG’s wholesale presence and strengthening partnerships with key distributors including DWF Wholesale and Pennock Co.

Through that experience, Narciso developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build lasting, successful partnerships: consistency, clear communication, teamwork and a genuine understanding of customers’ needs.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to further expand our wholesale presence and strengthen relationships with our customers,” Narciso said. “I look forward to developing new strategies, driving sales growth and collaborating closely with the team to continue building this segment of the business. I’m also motivated to see my teammates achieve their goals — our collective success is what drives sustainable growth. I see significant potential within our wholesale partnerships and am eager to help unlock it.”

“Outside of work, I love spending quality time with my family on the weekends,” she said. “I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places — I’m always up for an adventure. I like challenging myself through sports, and this year I’ll be participating in a HYROX competition, which I’m especially excited about,” Palenzuela said. “It’s an honor to have Lucia join our management team as wholesale sales manager. We have an amazing team there that will continue to shine, build stronger partnerships and ultimately bring more sales.”