Vincenzo Butera (AIFD, AAF, PFCI)
Vince began in the floral industry at age 15. Following graduation from Delaware Valley University with a BS degree in Ornamental Horticulture, he first opened Butera The Florist as a wedding and event business in 1980. The rapid growth of the business allowed him to expand in 1986 to a full service retail florist.
The next move occurred in 2001, allowing the business to expand into a grand floral showroom and Mediterranean Fresh Flower Market as a destination experience. In 2014, the Butera’s joined the renaissance of their hometown city and located Butera The Florist in beautiful Downtown York at 313 East Market St. The circa 1860 historic building (empty for 18 years) showcased the exquisite wedding artistry BTF brides and grooms have valued for more than four decades. The Buteras have now relocated BTF to the Blue Hill Peninsula of Maine, fulfilliing a long term dream to live and work in Maine.
Vince is not only a local florist, he is also involved in the floral industry as a whole. Vince Butera is the region’s only professional florist to be recognized by all three of the industry’s highest accreditations: American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), Professional Floral Communicators-International (PFCI) and the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF). He is a floral design teacher and professional presenter to both consumer groups and floral professionals. He served at the national level as PFCI Chairman of the Board of Trustees and on the Retail Council for the Society of American Florists. His design programs have been enjoyed by many Federated Garden Clubs, civic groups, PHS Philadelphia Flower Show attendees, and have been televised live from the PA Farm Show. Vince has traveled around the country presenting educational and motivational programs to floral professionals, and has been featured in a number of floral trade magazines.
Vince and his wife, Carolyn, were married in 1979 and together have raised four vibrant children. A variety of talents evidenced in the fields of art, music, science, innovation, design, education, entrepreneurship, community development, writing, and compassion ministry can be found in the Butera families.
Carolyn Butera
Carolyn has worked simultaneously in the fields of education and business throughout her adult life. Her family heritage includes educators, adventurers, and visionary leaders who worked with compassion and vigor. In her current role with BTF, she serves alongside her husband in strategic planning, marketing, the creative process, and on-site wedding and party installation. Carolyn and her husband form a unique combination in the art and business community.
As an organizational architect, Carolyn has been instrumental in bringing her husband’s vision for the ‘flower shop of the future’ to reality. Gifted with the ability to bring synergy to long term vision and short term goals, she enjoys the process of writing and refining vision to make it clear.
With a passion to encourage, Carolyn focuses on developing the unique talents of each person, rather than fitting people into pre-defined ‘boxes’. She prefers the dynamic adventure of discovering a person’s dreams and strengths and nourishing them. For more than 25 years, Carolyn had the privilege of working in the innovative homeschooling of their four children, all of whom have graduated. Whether in this educational process or the growing development of BTF, Carolyn is a mentor and investor in human resources who has had many diverse experiences, including VP & Human Resources Director for a regional financial organization, Admissions Director for an urban classical school, volunteering with numerous non-profit organizations.
