The Chicago Botanic Garden is pleased to announce that Kris Jarantoski, Executive Vice President and Director of the Garden, is this year's recipient of the American Horticultural Society's (AHS) Professional Award. This award is given to a member of the horticultural community that makes their living as a leader or director of an arboretum or botanical garden and whose achievements during the course of their career represent a significant contribution to horticulture. "Kris has made enormous contributions to the development of the Garden and its collections, which will continue to make an impact on visitors and Garden employees for years to come," said Barbara Whitney Carr, President and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Jarantoski has worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden for the past 30 years, starting as a horticulturalist after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Science in Horticulture. While working at the Garden, he earned an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. As the Executive Vice President and Director of the Garden Jarantoski develops and directs the horticulture, plant collections and garden operations of the progressive 385-acre botanic garden. He also works on the selection and hybridization of dieback shrubs to evaluate their adaptability to the Chicago area. He is also active in the American Public Gardens Association. Jarantoski has served as chair of the Awards and Collections Committees, as a member of the Board of Directors, and is currently a member of the Design and Planning Section and the Plant Collections Section. Jarantoski has written numerous articles for such publications as American Nurseryman, The Public Garden, The Herbarist, and Museum News.