LINLA's 2018 Man & Woman of the Year Celebration Honoring 

JERRY & LORRY SIANI

On the evening of November 7, 2018, the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association (LINLA) will proudly honor Jerry and Lorry Siani as our
 LINLA Man and Woman of the Year.

The “Man of the Year” celebration is a longstanding tradition held each fall by the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association.  Since 1965, we have had the honor of recognizing outstanding individuals who have influenced, shaped and advanced our industry at this prestigious event. Over the years, the Man of the Year

Program has also raised much needed funds to support the LINLA Grants & Scholarships Program. This program directly impacts our industry by providing funding for scientific research and supporting the education of the next generation. Please consider supporting this important LINLA event honoring the history and legacy of our industry.

Our Honoree

Lorry Siani pursued a career as a dental hygienist but in the course of time, put that aside to concentrate on her greatest gifts, her three sons. This focus grew with her children, and she volunteered in the school system and eventually became the president of the Junior High School PTA. As a mother she strove to provide a wholesome upbringing and respect for the environment. This sparked her interest in horticulture, and she enrolled in Farmingdale State University to explore a career in landscape design. From there she had the opportunity to become involved at the “grassroots” level of the emerging technology of computer assisted design and presentation. During this time she designed for a multitude of landscape design firms throughout the tri-state area, all the while presenting the emerging technology at trade shows across the country. 

Lorry’s generous nature led her to serve on the Farmingdale Horticulture committee and on the Board of Directors of LINLA. Her aptitude for organization and hospitality served her well as the site coordinator for LINLA’s first Gardens as Art expo at the Nassau County Museum of Art, and together with Jerry, as organizers of a successful North Fork Garden Tour to benefit both LINLA and the Peconic Land Trust.

Our Honoree

Jerry Siani’s path to the landscape industry started while maintaining a landscaping business during high school, He then had to choose between a career path in landscape architecture or music education. Who knew that choosing the latter course simply meant a delay of 20 years before he was again active in the green industry. 

After studying music education at the State University College of Potsdam he taught public school music. He then left music education for a career in music publishing as the educational director for two major music publishing companies. This was a steppingstone into a publishing venture that has evolved into the present monthly newspaper, New York Landscape Contractor, continuously published since August 1987. The experience of working in the advertising, sales promotion and educational fields provided the unique qualifications that enabled him to develop the publication. The “Landscaper” became a staple in the green industry and its primary forum for communication, promotion and education. Jerry feels fortunate to have served on the Board of Directors of LINLA and is still active as a director for the North Fork Chamber of Commerce. 

Early in their relationship Jerry and Lorry realized that the blending of the two families of seven children (and now six grandchildren) created the necessity for a large home. In 2003, they began a new career as innkeepers, and the Blue Iris Bed & Breakfast quickly established itself as one of the premier inns on the East End and has been honored by Dan’s Papers as Best of the Best for nine years in a row. Despite their busy life they transformed the grounds of the inn into a magical landscape that family, friends and guests enjoy.