Lida Sladkova
Statesville,USA
Summary
To utilize my horticulture knowledge and extend my experiences in horticultural product development, testing, management, leadership, and sales.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Product Development Director
Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc.
09.2019 - Current
- Development of product portfolio strategy, guidelines, and work on short- and long-term planning processes
- Designing and implementing product development and commercialization plans
- Establishing a product development roadmap for initial and future product lines
- Collaboration and support of marketing, sales, growing department, R&D, production and purchasing departments
- Collaboration and support of customers (Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart)
- Execute analysis of product and internal programs and interact with sales to identify new opportunities
- Work with breeders, brokers and supply chain on future developments and production planning
- Support of contract growers’ network with product selection and supply chain
Research and Development Manager
Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc.
10.2014 - 09.2019
- Organization of research trials for indoor (2 acres) and outdoor environments (9 acres)
- Internal pesticide, fertilizer, and soil media trials
- Support for the growing department with crop guidelines
- Help product development director on variety selection for commercial production
- Support marketing department on concept development
- Test and develop programs for beneficial insects, banker plant systems, application guidelines and storage
- Labor management
Trial/Greenhouse Manager
Fides-Oro/Dümmen NA, Inc.
07.2009 - 08.2014
- Organize and grow plant material for CAST, trade shows (Cultivate), internal breeding, university, and customer trials
- Management of long & short-term greenhouse development projects and daily operation
- Plant stock management, forecasting, sales support (Dianthus and Chrysanthemum)
- Plug production from un-rooted cuttings, rhizomes, and tissue culture (development of growing guides and integrated pest management)
- Labor planning, shipping, inventory, availability, quality control and claims management
- Yearly investment and budget planning
- Property management (working with 2 sub- leases)
Trial Manager
Selecta First Class, Inc.
10.2007 - 06.2009
- Organize and grow plant material for trials
- Quality control and technical support for Selecta rooting stations
Internship
Selecta Klemm, GmbH, Breeding department
07.2007 - 09.2007
- Plant material evaluation at seedling stage
- Elite mother stock harvest & maintenance (Poinsettia and bedding plants)
- Pollination (Calibrachoa and Petunia cultivars, Dianthus caryophyllus)
Internship program with the Ohio State University
Selecta First Class, Inc.
12.2005 - 05.2007
- Growing for California spring trial
- Dianthus stock maintenance, harvest, and inventory
- Organizing, growing, and evaluating internal summer trial field
Research in the Bohemian National Park
The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague
08.2001 - 10.2005
- Data collection, mapping and evaluation, writing titles and presenting new findings
Education
Master’s Degree - Forestry Engineering
The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague
Prague, Czech Republic06.2004
Skills
- Communication, accountability, time management, leadership, teamwork, organizational skills, motivation, flexibility, active listening, strong work ethic, integrity, initiative, critical-thinking, positive attitude, attention to detail, problem solving, continuous learning, self-motivation
Certification
The science and technology of medical cannabis cultivation at Collage of Agriculture and applied science s department of plants, soils and climate at The University of Utah
Other:
- Speaker at 2018 Bio-controls conference east with topic: “How to trial biocontrol products.”
- Article in Greenhouse Grower magazine (Feb, 2019) “How Metrolina greenhouses trials biocontrol products” (https://www.greenhousegrower.com/production/how-metrolina-greenhouses-trials-biocontrol-products/)
- Speaker at 2025 International trial plant conference with topic: “Promoting trials to consumers”, “How industry uses trials”
Languages
Czech
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Product Development Director
Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc.
09.2019 - Current
Research and Development Manager
Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc.
10.2014 - 09.2019
Trial/Greenhouse Manager
Fides-Oro/Dümmen NA, Inc.
07.2009 - 08.2014
Trial Manager
Selecta First Class, Inc.
10.2007 - 06.2009
Internship
Selecta Klemm, GmbH, Breeding department
07.2007 - 09.2007
Internship program with the Ohio State University
Selecta First Class, Inc.
12.2005 - 05.2007
Research in the Bohemian National Park
The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague
08.2001 - 10.2005
Master’s Degree - Forestry Engineering
The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague