Kim Jewell (General manager, Snow Management Services/GroundMasters) came to the industry because she had family in the business who needed someone with Jewell’s skills in marketing, sales and operations. And she prefers working outside more than at a desk. The industry sucked her in and she is both self-taught and continues to learn at every opportunity. “Learning and training is vital.”
Before starting her own Colorado company in 2005, Cindy McCord(Owner, Bloom Floralscapes) already had years of industry experience. She had worked at her family’s Texas-based landscape company and built a commercial portfolio of 150 properties. So why start her own company? “I wanted to ‘own’ my own time and increase my earnings by taking risk.”
This week, we turn our focus from The ELITE Awards to ALCC’s Volunteer Service Awards. At The ELITE Awards reception, ALCC also recognized four individuals for their outstanding volunteer contributions to the Colorado landscape industry.
The 2021 Bob Cannon Award Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Jesus ‘Chuy’ Medrano, honoring his commitment and contribution to the landscape industry and ALCC, and to improving the professional image of the industry.
Medrano has long been recognized as a leader. Since the 1980s, he has been a tireless advocate for the landscape industry at the local, state and national levels. He was named to NALP's 2017 Leadership Class during the GIE+EXPO, an honor that recognizes individuals who “work hard to empower their colleagues and the industry to grow and succeed.”
Medrano has been a public face of the Colorado landscape industry, sharing his company’s story with the media, and answering consumer questions as a volunteer with ALCC’s Garden Line 9 project.
Beyond ALCC, he helped found the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA). Nationally, Medrano has helped promote careers in the landscape industry and sheds light on the challenges the green industry faces. His struggles with the labor shortage were profiled in 2017 by The Washington Post.
Through CoCal, Medrano supports the future of the industry, encouraging his team to participate in the Landscape Career Pathways program and to visit local schools to help young people learn about career opportunities. Medrano has mentored his children to become leaders as well. Marisol Medrano Mejia is a leader of NALP’s Latino Landscape Network (formerly NHLA). Sons Jody and Carlos complete “Team Medrano” and are leading the company with their father.
In the nearly three decades since Medrano co-founded CoCal Landscape—but later bought out his partner—it is clear that people are his priority. These ‘people’ include employees, customers, vendors, temporary workers and communities. According to Medrano, the CoCal team has always believed in helping the community and others in need, whether in the neighborhood or across the border in Mexico. He once admitted to Colorado Green, “People are my thing. I care about relationships.”
What a year it was in 2020, the year for which Troy Sibelius is being honored with the John Garvey Person of the Year Award for his invaluable contributions to ALCC and its members. This award recognizes someone who goes the extra mile to serve others. Sibelius provided consistent guidance regarding insurance implications as we entered the pandemic.
The Stanley Brown Associate Member Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual associate member who has helped make the industry more professional, is known for outstanding service and the contribution of ideas, programs and/or educational endeavors, and has been a loyal supporter of ALCC and Colorado’s landscape industry. Kim Douglas of AEC Consultant Group received this year’s award.
The Outlook Award for Emerging Leaders honors “up and comers” in the landscape industry and ALCC, who are not yet 40 years old and have made a significant contribution to the industry, their company and/or ALCC in a volunteer or leadership capacity. This year’s recipient, Jessi Burg, is passionate about sustainability and enthusiastic about educating clients.
ALCC’s ELITE Awards reception was held on November 10 at Stonebrook Manor in Thornton. Due to pandemic-related restrictions on large gatherings, organizers delayed the event, which traditionally took place in the first quarter of the year.
On November 10, Colorado’s landscape industry association, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), announced the recipients of its 2021 ELITE Awards. The ELITE Awards is the only program of its kind in Colorado and recognizes landscape companies and professionals who demonstrate unparalleled professionalism, excellence, management practices, sustainability and innovation.
The 2021 ELITE Awards featured some changes from previous years. While the Use of Color category was discontinued, it was replaced by a new category, Plant Design. The categories of Innovation and Most Valuable Player (MVP) were not ranked as gold, silver, or bronze. A task force of reviewers noted that all innovation and all valuable team members should be celebrated and that such contributions could not be ranked against each other.
In October, NALP recognized companies that demonstrate a commitment to a safe workplace and benefit by having reduced injuries and workplace hazards with its Safety Recognition Awards. As always, several Colorado companies received this recognition for the previous year. Categories include “No Vehicle Accidents,” “No Injuries or Illnesses,” and “No Days Away from Work” as well as the “Overall Safety Achievement Award.”
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) with the goal of curbing the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. The standard applies to employers with 100 or more employees, and compliance is required by January 4, 2022.
