Over the years, the “JLS” in JLS Landscape & Sprinkler has represented different stages for the company.
In 1975, when John Reffel Jr. and his son, John Reffel III, decided to start their own residential lawn sprinkler company after working together at Keesen Lawn Sprinkler, it was named John’s Lawn Sprinkler.
JLS became an acronym for John’s Lawn Sprinkler as the business expanded and John IV and Jeremy joined the team. In 2001, John III’s wife, Linda, took over the company’s administrative and bookkeeping responsibilities. Family members joked that JLS stood for John, Linda and Sons.
Now, as John III and Linda step down and pass the business to John IV and his younger brother, Jeremy, John IV’s teenage daughter Sabrina is pondering whether the “S” in JLS could stand for Sabrina.
But as much as the JLS name evolves, one thing is certain: As it approaches its 50th anniversary, this family-owned company still prides itself on communication, honesty, integrity, giving back to its employees and the community, and, as Linda puts it, “setting good goals.”
The JLS evolution
For its first quarter century of existence, JLS specialized in residential irrigation installation, repair and snow services. In 1999, the company made several changes by focusing on commercial clients and phased out its residential clients over an 18-month period so it could provide focused and higher quality services to commercial clients. Today, JLS provides landscape and snow-management services to office, retail and industrial clients.
“There can be more consistency with commercial clients,” John IV says, noting that compared to residential clients, commercial property managers may better understand how prices are determined. “Services and readiness come with a cost, and professionalism and years of experience are factored in.”
JLS has long prided itself on its certifications and involvement in professional organizations. John III helped write the first training manuals for ALCC’s Certified Landscape Technician (CLT), currently known as the Landscape Industry Certified Technician (LICT), test. At the time, John IV was the youngest person to become a triple CLT: maintenance, installation and irrigation. Jeremy is also LICT certified. Both sons speak Spanish, and John IV was involved with creating the LICT Spanish standards.
John III is a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Accredited Professional, John IV is a LEED Green Associate, and Jeremy is a licensed pesticide applicator. A growing number of JLS’ clients ask for ecologically friendly services like xeriscaping, green roofs, minimal pesticide use, composting and recycling of all jobsite waste, and irrigation system water conservation. JLS prides itself on keeping up with and supporting sustainable practices.
“One of our main goals was to be able to keep our employees through the winter and have a year-round workforce,” John IV says. While JLS utilizes guest worker programs, replacing seasonal workers with full-time employees helps ensure the consistency and family feeling that’s important to the Reffels.
Today, JLS’ business is 60 percent “white side,” or winter-based, and 40 percent “green side,” or landscape based. The majority of its work year-round.
The family tradition
Just as John III started out in lawn sprinklers working with his father, John IV and Jeremy joined the family business at young ages. “When we were kids, maybe 10 or 12, we would come down to the shop, and my dad would pay us to sweep out trailers and clean trucks,” John IV remembers. “Dad encouraged us to get our CLT certifications early on.”
But as the boss’ sons, the lawn was not necessarily greener. “I started running installation maintenance crews at age 17 or 18, and it was very intimidating to manage guys much older than me,” John IV recalls. “I had to stay confident in myself and my abilities, but also ask for other people’s thoughts and ideas. Our parents instilled in us at an early age the value of family, honesty and hard work.”
When the company’s transition between the generations is official this summer, John IV will serve as CEO and Jeremy will be COO. Linda will stay on for a while to oversee financial management, human resources and legal duties. In preparation for the transition, JLS hired an office manager, Erin Duran.
And John III? “We’re trying to get him to step away, but I imagine The Third is going to want to pop in and drink his coffee and check in some mornings,” John IV says. “He will always be available for advice if needed.”
The JLS future
Like her father, John IV, Sabrina Reffel is showing interest in learning the family business at a young age. “About three years ago, when she was 14, she saw me using my person al compressor to blow out our home irrigation system,” John IV says. “She asked if she could borrow my compressor and wheelbarrow and started knocking on neighbors’ doors, asking to do their sprinkler blowouts.”
Whether or not JLS will soon stand for John, Little brother Jeremy and Sabrina, the current management team has plenty of plans for the future.
The Sedalia-based company services customers from Firestone to Monument and Evergreen to Denver International Airport. Eventually, John IV says they’d like JLS to expand to the Western Slope.
The company is also embracing technology. JLS debuted two robotic mowers in May and is looking at autonomous sidewalk snowplows and de-icing machines.
“There are opportunities out there for everybody,” John IV says. “Hopefully, we can double or triple size in next 10 to 20 years."
Read more in this issue of Colorado Green Now:
The power of team meetings
U.S Department of Labor Announces Updated Overtime Rule
