On February 14, 2018, 120 high school students joined landscape industry professionals for a day of inspiration and education. Students from seven high schools along the Front Range participating in the Landscape Career Pathways program spent a day at ProGreen EXPO, beginning with keynote speaker Reggie Rivers.

They met with industry professionals and heard about their real-world jobs. Landscape pros shared what they do, what landscape companies, as well as suppliers to the industry, are looking for when they hire, and how young people can move up the career ladder to more money, responsibility and job satisfaction.

Mike Ransom of Lifescape Colorado and president of ALCC’s board of directors, spoke to students about his career path. A panel moderated by Lyle Fair, All Phase Landscape, shared the wide range of industry opportunities open to students. Panelists included: Lauren Bloom, Bloom Concrete & Landscape; Jevard Hitch, Ascend Landscaping; Patrick O’Meara, High Country Landscape; Dan Grange, Bright View; Randy Cox, Keesen Landscape Management; Luis Estrada, CoCal Landscape Services; and Cindy McCord, Bloom Floralscapes.  

Industry suppliers also shared about career opportunities on the supplier side. They included Scott Fritchie of L.L. Johnson Distributing, Dylan Rewold of Bobcat/Ryan, and Brandon Sokol of DBC Irrigation Supply.

Over lunch in small group roundtables, students had an opportunity to ask 18 industry ambassadors what landscape pros do, how much you can earn and what you need to know and do to get a job. Dan Bachelor of Front Range Community College & Molly Kennedy of Colorado State University were on hand to discuss educational opportunities after high school, as were CSU SOLDAC students Kesley Cady and Chris Tragakes.

In the afternoon, ambassadors led students on guided tours of ProGreen EXPO based on their area of interest.  Students got to see and touch the tools and equipment the industry uses to get its work done. After hearing from landscape pros and exhibitors, students ended their day knowing much more about the industry!

High School Student Day was sponsored by Colorado Materials, Inc., DBC Irrigation Supply, and LL Johnson Distributing Company. Additional ambassadors included Kyler Neumann, Aurora Public Schools; Ashley Tharp, Bloom Concrete & Landscape; LeeAnn Roessler, BrightView; Alison Dionne, BrightView; Chris Willis, Colorado Total Maintenance; and Matthias Kasper, Keesen Landscape Management.