Suppliers in the landscape industry set a tone and an example for customer service and often inspire landscape companies to raise the bar on their own practices. Bill Johannsen, of C&C Sand and Stone Co, Inc. has done just that through his work in Colorado Springs. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Stanley Brown Associate Member Distinguished Service Award by Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado.

Johannsen came to the green industry after successes in other industries. After receiving a degree in business and accounting from University of California, Berkeley, he served in the United States Marine Corps. He later worked as a CPA, then moved on to a successful career in corporate leadership.

That corporate career brought him to Colorado. When his leadership job ended, he chose to keep his family in Colorado and transition to the landscape industry, purchasing a landscape supply business and becoming a small business owner.

Throughout his career, Johannsen understood the value in industry organizations and made it a priority. He has been involved in both ALCC’s Southern Chapter and served on the ALCC State Board. He is an inspiring and resourceful industry leader who works hard at being a friend to the customers he serves, and a supporter of the industry that he claimed in his second career.

If you talk with his customers, they will tell you Bill is “a classy guy who helps our whole industry with the same standards he sets for himself. He is honest and a leader in offering quality customer service.” Sometimes, that service means showing up with a box of donuts to check in and make sure a client is satisfied. He often goes and beyond the call of duty and does whatever he can to support customers. He is attentive to the “little things” that show he cares, even supporting a child’s fundraiser at school.

When he is not working, Johannsen enjoys golfing and world travel. He is a proud father of two sons. Both sons are part owners of the businesses, and one works closely with him at C & C. He has created a successful legacy firm for the next generation while serving the needs of landscape companies in Colorado Springs and more recently in Castle Rock and Denver, as well.

Established in 2008, Stanley Brown Associate Member Distinguished Service Award (the Brown Award) is presented to an individual associate member (a business that is a supplier to the landscape industry) of Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado who has helped make the industry more professional, or promoted professionalism to the public and other industry stakeholders, has held a variety of volunteer positions in ALCC, is known for outstanding association service and the contribution of ideas, programs, and/or educational endeavors and who has been a loyal supporter of ALCC and Colorado’s landscape industry. 

This is the second story in a series about ALCC's Volunteer Service Award winners. You can read last month's story about Kelly Gouge, John Garvey Person of the Year by clicking here.

Read more in this issue:
Media coverage helps sell pollinator-friendly landscapes
The ELITE Award for Installation/Construction: Outdoor Craftsmen
Better by nature: Safety is part of Zak George Landscaping culture
Day of Service serves multiple purposes this year