Dr. Rob Griesbach earned a Ph.D. in genetics from Michigan State University in 1980. The following year, he joined USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and retired in 2020. For his first 25 years, Rob conducted a broad-based research program in ornamental plant genetics. For the last 15 years, he served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Technology Transfer where he provided leadership for the management of the USDA-ARS’s intellectual property. He authored 151 scientific papers, as well as presented over 500 scientific seminars and popular talks. In 2006, the American Society for Horticultural Science elected Rob a Fellow for his research contributions to horticulture. In 2010, he received the American Horticulture Society’s H. Marc Cathey Award for his scientific contributions to gardening and horticulture. In 2012, he received the Secretary of Agriculture’s Honor Award for Excellence. Rob is a Past President of the American Orchid Society. He is currently an accredited AOS judge, chair of the AOS Research Committee, and member of the RHS Orchid Hybrid Registration Advisory Group.