For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
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FROM THE EDITOR Making an Impact This 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. 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." Another of this year's winners, Jerry 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." When asked what advice he has for other industry professionals who want to become influential leaders themselves, Michael Neal summed it up by saying, "Get involved in your community tree organizations — International Society of Arboriculture, ISA [regional] chapters, the TREE Fund and other organizations that support your industry." John Kmitta Associate Publisher, Editor 847-720-5613 jkmitta@m2media360.com 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 page 12. 6 Arbor Age / January/February 2013 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com jkmitta@m2media360.com Integrated Content Team Executive Vice President Associate Publisher, Editor Charles Forman John Kmitta Production Team Art Director Production Manager Adam Lane Karen Kalinyak M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Marion Minor Vice President, Finance and Operations Gerald Winkel Senior Vice President, Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Vice President, Operations and Human Resources Mary Jo Tomei Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com For subscription inquiries and customer service questions please call: 845-856-2229; 845-856-5822 (fax) ARBOR AGE SALES TERRITORIES Charles Forman, Executive Vice President Advertising Account Managers Glenn Datz ph: 213-596-7220 fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com 626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Bruce Loria 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-596-7226 bloria@m2media360.com Leslie Palmer 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste. 202 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 248-530-0300 lpalmer@m2media360.com Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Arbor Age. 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 Arbor Age or Bev-Al Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. 360 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com