Before Neil Bales became NALP’s 2020 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, he was following in his older brother’s footsteps at the prospect of working together. Though his brother eventually went into ministry, Bales says he knew he’d found home in the green industry. Most of all, he’s been inspired by the people—including not only clients […]
What does it mean to you to be an NALP member? Every time we do a member story, you tell us. And, quite frankly, your answers make us smile. We take great pride supporting our members throughout the year–whether it’s by offering peer networking or mentoring opportunities, educational events and webinars, insightful blog and magazine […]
Chase Mullin has always known the value—and reward—of hard work. He grew up working construction jobs within the residential home building field for a family friend. When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, Mullin was enrolled at University of New Orleans and immediately jumped into action helping local families to rebuild by installing projects designed by […]
Working in the food industry and dealing with crazy hours and a young son at home, Skip Thompson of Tidewater Landscape Management actually found his way to the lawn and landscape industry in order to be able to obtain more manageable hours. He started at a golf course making minimum wage and filling sand traps […]
Christopher Brown’s start in the industry began as a summer job working on a golf course. He loved being outdoors in the fresh air. That and his fascination with grass maintenance science lead him to pursue a turfgrass science degree from Penn State. Though he imagined he’d wind up back in the golf course industry […]
As a senior majoring in landscape contracting in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Jack Pohutsky has already been actively involved in recruiting for the industry both to high school students as well as undeclared majors at Penn State. He may still be a student but he’s that excited about what the landscape industry has […]
With more than 15 years in the industry, Brigitte Orrick joined The Davey Tree Expert Co. from the Tree Care Industry Association, where she was the workforce development director. Prior to that role, Orrick was the dean of trade, industry and apprenticeships at Nicolet College. She has experience in both the collegiate and professional affiliate […]
Lisa Fiore, founder and CEO of LandscapeHub, grew up in the nursery business. In 1916, her great-grandfather started Charles Fiore Nursery in Chicago. Fiore spent her childhood roaming around the nursery fields and falling in love with the industry, as a whole. In early 2000, she joined the business, learning all aspects from buying to […]
As owner of Meticulous Landscaping Inc., Waretown, New Jersey, Robert Kraft knows plenty about providing landscape services to commercial properties. His company’s expertise includes commercial lawn care, landscape design, construction and installation services, irrigation installation and maintenance, and tree care and snow removal services. He has also learned that touching base with his management team […]
Before coming to work for Utopian Landscapes LLC full-time, Terra Phelps, the “handler” (because she “handles it all”) had already been consulting on various jobs and tasks. As the wife of Nikos Phelps, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based company’s founder and co-owner, she’d offer design advice or contribute to projects, even though she was working for the […]