Forward-Thinking Nursery Blossoms from One Generation to the Next
Starting with one greenhouse in 1968, the Fessler family has turned Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas into a multi-generational operation that owns 600 acres of property in Oregon, employs 275 people, and services the entirety of North America.
Scroll Down
To Discover More
Client
Tom Fessler, CEO, and Jodi Arritola, HR Manager
Company
Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas
Employees
Industry
Nursery
Locations
Woodburn, OR
Challenge
Woodburn Nursery had a history of embracing innovation and technology to spur the growth of its plants. As the business expanded and flourished – hitting 275 employees in 2025 – they also needed more efficient ways to handle time keeping and even something as simple as questions about payroll.
How Paychex Helped
HR Manager Jodi Arritola says the nursery is always looking to technology to help the business. The Paychex Iris Time Clock has improved time and attendance tracking, not to mention providing a cleaner way to “punch” in and out. Additionally, Paychex Flex® gives employees mobile and online access to their W-2s and their paystubs, empowering them to seek answers and manage personal information.
Success Strategy
Saving time on administrative tasks allows CEO Tom Fessler to participate in one of his favorite daily activities, “watching plants grow.” Watching employees grow in their jobs, and even having long-timers move toward retirement, provides the family great satisfaction. Paychex has taken care of Woodburn Nursery, which allows the extended Fessler family to take care of its employees.
“One of the things (my father) passed on is he was always looking for a better way to do things. My parents set the tone, and we’ve continued to try to follow in their footsteps.”
– Tom Fessler, CEO, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas, second from left
Paychex Flex Pro Integrates Payroll, HR, and More for Large Companies
