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ALUM OF THE MONTH: KEVIN SULLIVAN

Kevin SullivanName:  Kevin Sullivan

Title and Company:  R&D General Manager, The Green Solution

Hometown:  Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Horticulture:  Fruits and Veggies, December 2013

Major Job/Position Responsibilities:  Breeding/trials, staffing, training, scheduling, evaluating plant health/quality, scouting, problem solving, plant work, and keeping the boat afloat through whatever sort of waters.  Also my most important responsibility, keeping a smile on every ones face.

What you like most about your job/position:  Creating and evaluating new varieties, watching them make it into production and eventually into the stores, hearing positive things about the new varieties from customers, involvement with different committees.  I also like working with CBD varieties and breeding high CBD, low THC strains.  One of our high CBD varieties, Desert Rubi, has won a few awards already.  I also helped name it!

What advice would you give to current students:  Friends and family are everything.  While at ISU, I would say to try and experience as much as you can within the horticulture world.  Go to the research farm for starters.  You are surrounded by a ton of knowledge.  Follow your dreams and believe in yourself.  Challenge yourself as well.  Be as open and adaptable as possible are as great qualities that I can think of.  The lack of a persistent work ethic is very apparent at work in many 21ish year olds, anyone who demonstrates a good character/strong work ethic day in and day out stands out to me more than most others.  Perseverance and patience are both virtues and are enormously helpful, even outside of work.

You want something, go get it.  Period.