Our school staff is comprised of industry leaders who have received nation-wide recognition in the field of floral arts, including numerous awards and commendations from such well-known organizations as F.T.D., Teleflora, the Society of American Florists, the American Academy of Florists and the American Institute of Floral Designers. No other set of instructors can boast such a high level of credentials.
Staff Links: Phil Rulloda | Cathy Rulloda
Mr. Rulloda is widely acclaimed as one of America’s leading floral designers, educators and commentators. He has appeared throughout the world as a featured speaker and designer for the industry’s world-wide events. Phil has been a guest lecturer and designer in over 500 programs. His award-winning designs have been featured in publications both within and outside the industry. Phil was invited to the White House to assist in Christmas decorating and has been a visitor in many foreign countries at the invitation of heads of State.
After winning four first place awards in the coveted FTD America’s Cup competition he went on to take two first place awards in the Global Inter-floral Competition. Phil then took two more first place awards at the Atlanta Invitational Competition. This gives Phil a total of eight first places in National and International competition, a mark not yet equaled among his peers.
In addition, Phil has judged the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, the Las Floristas Headdresses in Hollywood and contributed his design expertise to the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Phil is a member of the American Academy of Florists, the American Institute of Floral Designers and the Professional Floral Commentators International. He has served on the advisory board for Flowers & Magazine. Phil was also the first inductee into the Arizona Floriculture Hall of Fame. Phil was awarded the first ever AIFD Award of Design Influence which was created to recognize floral designers who have made a significant impact on the art of floral design in America.
Phil’s goal is to globally share his love for flowers with each of his students. His passion for design, along with his youthful and vibrant personality reaches out and touches the soul of his every student and brings out his or her best for all the world to see.
Below is a brief list of awards and distinctions that have been bestowed upon Phil to honor his unique abilities and contributions to the floral industry. As well as many of the programs in which Phil has participated:
2018 | Floriology/Bloomnet Perennial Award |
2017 | AIFD National Symposium – Featured Designer – Seattle, Washington |
2017 | Tournament of Roses Parade – Judge – Pasadena, California |
2016 | Gateway to the Americas Cup – Judge – Burnaby, BC Canada |
2012 | Featured Presenter – California State Top Ten Competition – Los Angeles, California |
2007 | AIFD Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry |
2005 | AIFD National Symposium – Featured Designer – Seattle, Washington |
2004 | SAF PFCI – Tommy Bright Lifetime Achievement Award, Hawaii |
2004 | SAF National Convention – Featured Designer- Maui Hawaii |
2003 | Arizona State Florist Association Lifetime Honorary Member Award |
2003 | Tennessee State Florist Association Hall of Fame Award |
2002 | AIFD National Symposium – Featured Designer – San Diego, California |
2001 | Presenter – Art Alive, San Diego Museum of Art – California |
2000 | Associated Florists of Southern California |
2000 | Guatemala City, Guatemala – Guest Lecturer |
2000 | Garden Clubs of America – Guest Lecturer |
1999 | Florida State Hall of Fame Award |
1999 | Honolulu, Hawaii Exhibition |
1999 | New Jersey Hall of Fame Award |
1998 | Tokyo, Japan Exhibition |
1994 | National Garden Clubs of Mexico, featured designer |
1991 | First Recipient, AIFD Award of Design Influence |
1990 | Author, Phil and Silverio’s Tropical and Contemporary Floral Design |
1987 | First inductee, Arizona Floriculture Hall of Fame |
1984 | International School of Floral Design, Mexico City |
1983 | Teleflora National Education Team |
1980 | Teleflora National Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii |
1980 | Gentse Floralien, Gent., Belgium |
1978 | Guest Designer/Lecturer, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
1977 | AIFD Southern Symposium, featured designer |
1976 | Europa Cup, Athens, Greece |
1975 | Featured designer, Dow Chemical Company First International School of Floral Design, Mexico City. |
1974 | United States Champion FTD America’s Cup Winner |
Cathy Hillen-Rulloda, AIFD, AAF, PFCI
Involved in the floral industry for over 30 years, Cathy Hillen-Rulloda AIFD, AAF, PFCI, has received top honors in numerous floral design competitions, including the coveted SAF Sylvia Cup and the 13th Annual California Top Ten Competition. She has appeared as a featured presenter and designer for more than 300 industry events throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Japan.
A cum laude graduate of West Virginia University, Cathy first won international recognition for her work during the 1984 Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles, where she created the original designs for the athletes’ awards bouquets and venue arrangements as well as the hotel floral decor for the International Olympic Committee.
Her work has appeared in numerous publications including InStyle, Flowers&, Modern Bride magazines and six nationally-distributed retail florist wedding and everyday flowers selection guides.
Cathy received AIFD’s 2007 Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry (along with husband Phil), is a Past President of the Southwest Chapter of AIFD and co-chaired AIFD’s 1996 National Symposium in Palm Desert, California.
In 2021, Cathy became an AIFD® Certified Floral Evaluator/Judge.
Based in Orange County, California, our floral design classes serve commuter students from Los Angeles, San Diego and Southern California as well as attracting national and international attendees from across the globe.
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