At Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado’s recent reception for The ELITE Awards, the trade association took time to recognize four dedicated volunteers in the Colorado landscape community: Mike Leman, Lyle Fair, Dustin Hamilton, and Jerry "Moe" Mosley.

Learn more about these dedicated volunteers and their careers:

Mike Leman of Singing Hills Landscape received the Bob Cannon Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer service on ALCC committees, as an advocate on the local, state, and federal levels, as a mentor, and as a member of the board of directors.  

Mike Ransom, current president of ALCC’s board of directors, said of Leman, “Mike is very humble and he is very wise. He always walks into meetings ready to roll up his sleeves and get down to important work that will impact our association for years to come. When Mike speaks, you know he has thought hard about what he’s about to say. He’s the strong, quiet leader who runs deep.”

Leman works tirelessly, often behind the scenes without fanfare, to support efforts such as H-2B advocacy. As executive director John McMahon observed, “I have been very taken by his insights, dedication to the industry and willingness to help to others.”  

The John Garvey Person of the Year for 2017 was Lyle Fair, All Phase Landscape. Last year, he served as chair of the certification committee, which oversees the Colorado testing for Landscape Industry Certified Technicians. He volunteered with the Landscape Career Pathways program to educate both teachers and students. He is a vital, ongoing contributor to ALCC’s successes beyond the year 2017.

Fair has led tours of the certification test site for interested teachers, taught classes like Irrigation Boot Camp at Emily Griffith Technical College and landscape installation and estimating at Front Range Community College. His real-world experience in landscaping is invaluable to the students he reaches.

Always willing to give a little more to the industry, Fair even took time from his schedule of work and teaching to record voiceovers for The ELITE Awards presentation.

Vice President of the ALCC board Matt Hiner presented the Outlook Emerging Leader Award to Dustin Hamilton, Sunflower Landscapes, Inc. Meant to recognize a person under 40 who shows promise for a future in the landscape industry, the Outlook Award is certainly appropriate for Hamilton.

For 6 years or more, Dustin has been involved in leadership in the Southern Chapter. He’s been involved in planning chapter events and has been a tireless and resourceful leader in its annual Day of Service Projects. As the service projects have become more closely tied to the Landscape Career Pathways Projects, his youth and enthusiasm serve to inspire the young people who are considering a career in the green industry.

ALCC also bestowed the Stanley E. Brown Associate Member Distinguished Service Award upon Jerry “Moe” Mosley of Moe-Mentum and, more recently, of Hellman & Associates. While he has been affiliated with the organization only in recent years, his efforts behind the scenes at the state and federal level have benefitted the landscape industry and numerous other industries for decades. Moe served 25 years as a volunteer on the Colorado Cost Containment Board and is the expert’s expert in knowing the ins and outs of the regulatory process, compliance and risk-related issues.

Several years ago, Moe-Mentum became a member of ALCC, and the staff praises him for helping the association be on top of complex compliance issues. A couple years ago, he and his team member Shannon conducted pro bono audits - worth a few thousand dollars each - of two landscape companies taking an in-depth look at their compliance related to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and DOT. The outcomes were reported as anonymous case studies in Colorado Green magazine. They showed what companies were doing well, where they were at most risk for fines and how being in front of compliance issues can save money in the long run.

Mosley is always driven to do what he believes is “the right thing to do.” He volunteers his time and gladly shares his expertise and his resources, making him a fitting recipient of the Brown Award.