Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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Viewpoint IRRIGAT ON M2MEDIA360 1030 W. Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 720-5600 • Fax: (847) 720-5601 Web site: http://www.landscapeirrigation.com Executive Vice President Charles Forman Editorial Staff Associate Publisher, Editor John Kmitta (847) 720-5613; fax (847) 720-5601; jkmitta@m2media360.com Products Editor Steve Noe (630) 499-1017; fax (630) 499-1026; snoe@m2media360.com Production Team Art Director Production Manager Brian Snook Karen Kalinyak Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, (678) 292-6054; e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, (678) 292-6054; e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Vice President, Finance and Operations Senior Vice President, Audience Development Vice President, Operations and Human Resources Marion Minor Gerald Winkel Joanne Juda-Prainito Mary Jo Tomei Circulation For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (845) 856-2229, or fax (845) 856-5822 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Landscape and Irrigation is published monthly except May/June, July/Aug and Nov/Dec. Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Landscape and Irrigation. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Landscape and Irrigation or M2MEDIA360, or preference over similar products not mentioned. 1030 W. Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 720-5600 • Fax: (847) 720-5601 Account Representatives: Bruce Loria 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 500,Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ph: 213-596-7226 • bloria@m2media360.com Leslie Palmer 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste 202, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 Ph: 248-530-0300, ext. 1401 • lpalmer@m2media360.com Classified Sales / Marketplace: Glenn Datz Phone: 213-596-7220 Fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com www.landscapeirrigation.com John Kmitta Impacting Others T his issue marks the third year of our "Most Influential People in the Green Industry" awards program. It is our way of paying tribute to those who have made a difference on the lives and careers of others. The people selected to our list were all nominated by their peers for their widespread impact on the industry. And although we don't consciously strive to select current and former association leaders as "Most Influential," many of our past and current "Most Influential People" have held such leadership roles. After all, it is difficult to be an influence on other professionals if you are not involved in the industry through local, state or national associations. Many of the past and current winners of the "Most Influential" distinction have said they would not have been as successful in their careers if it weren't for industry associations and the influence of others in leadership roles. One of this year's winners, Rich Arlington, said that early in his career he didn't attend association functions and didn't think he needed to do so. But associations and their support have become an invaluable resource. "I've grown professionally since then. Even today there are things I can learn," he said. "There is no way I could have the company I have today if it weren't for organizations like PLANET." Arlington credited people such as Mike Rorie from GroundMasters, Bob Smart from Smart Scapes, and Alan Steinman from Alan Steinman's Landscape with dramatically changing his business, his career, his personal attitude and his professional attitude. "The biggest thing that would stand out with all three of them is their willingness to share knowledge, and give undivided attention to a specific question," said Arlington. "And their ability to walk up to a perfect stranger, shake their hand, welcome them to wherever they met, and ask, 'Why are you here?' All three of those gentlemen have done that to me when I was just another name in the crowd. It's just unbelievable that there are those kind of people within our industry.You just have to sit down and talk to them." Another of this year's winners, Jerry Grossi, pointed to Gary Clayton, former executive vice president of PLCAA; Sabeena Hickman, CEO of PLANET; and Bill Hildebolt, past-president of PLANET, as having been influential to his career. In Hildebolt's book, The Professional Entrepreneur, he referred to Grossi as the "Association Man for All Seasons," and wrote, "It is obvious from Jerry's volunteer work with green industry associations that he has a passion for our profession." Grossi urges others with passion for this industry to promote it by getting involved with their local, state or national organizations. "In my opinion, they should get involved with all of them, because they each have a different mission," he said. "Jump in — don't just be a member — jump in and volunteer to help out, donate [your] talents, and get involved." Green Media congratulates all of the "Most Influential People" for their impact on our industry. For the full profiles of this year's "Most Influential People," please see LI page 10. Landscape and Irrigation 5