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market. Lawn care, irrigation and holiday lighting/décor are the company's core businesses today. For Grossi, the things that have made him successful are business processes such as building the right model; making the model something they like to do; and then putting structure to it, building it, and hiring the right people. "I have tried to build a team effort with our company where our managers are very involved in the day-to-day decisions and our strategic planning for the future," he said."When you engage people and you build the processes, you have a successful recipe." According to Grossi, other keys to his success are the people he has met in this industry and the subsequent networking opportunities. "It has resulted in personal development on my side," he said."I have grown from it. I have learned from it.That is the biggest part of my involvement with the associations. I did it to help our industry and help myself, but I have certainly learned a lot through my involvement with other people like myself.The sharing and exchanging of ideas is something that needs to be done to be successful — not only business-wise, but also personally." Grossi would like to see other industry professionals get involved with associations at the local, state and national levels. "We are still somewhat fractured in this industry," he said."There are a lot of people in this industry who are not members of PLANET.We can come together better to tell our story and promote it in a better way. We have to do a better job in painting that future for our industry.There is a lot of work to do, and hopefully I can help." * Note: PLCAA merged with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America in 2005 to form PLANET. Jim Roche Executive Director, Equipment & Engine Training Council, Inc. As executive director of the Equipment & Engine Training Council, Inc. (EETC) since 2000, Jim Roche has been responsible for handing out dozens of awards to his peers for their outstanding contributions to the EETC, a non-profit association whose mission is to address the shortage of qualified service technicians in the outdoor power equipment industry through education, certification and training. So, after all that Roche has accomplished with the EETC it is rather fitting that he was selected as one of the "Most Influential People in the Green Industry," shortly before he retired on Dec. 17. "Jim Roche brought professionalism to the EETC in his role as executive director," said Jim Starmer, senior advisor, Servantage Dixie Sales."He helped make the EETC an organization highly respected throughout the OPE industry, focused on the education and training of skilled technicians, for the benefit of all industry participants. It was a huge task, but Jim, with his wife Rachel at his side, succeeded in providing professional leadership to the EETC, strengthening an organization that will benefit our industry for years to come.As a forwww.arborage.com mer board member of the EETC, I am honored and proud to have known and worked with Jim and Rachel, to be able to call them friends, and to thank them for what they have accomplished for our industry." Roche developed a strategic plan for the EETC's mission, led the development and implementation of the EETC's school accreditation program, managed the EETC's national technician certification program, and launched the EETC's website, among many other things. "Jim was always looking to promote an industry that he truly believes in," said Dave Worden, SkillsUSA program director, EETC board member and long-time friend."It allowed people like me to present and deliver information with a passion that is becoming rare. He gives, and will continue to give, you his best and support the cause and also look at how he can help out others. He is a mentor, a passionate leader, an honest man doing what he could to try and 'pay it forward' in an industry that was at times harsh and cold. He has a sense of humor and was always available. He looks out for others and is always ready to help advise and promote the association and the industry and its partners without the political stress showing." Said Roche,"The power equipment industry is small enough that you know an awful lot of people that are in the industry, and if you burn your bridges as you go, you're not going to be in the industry for very long. But if you become part of it, if it becomes part of your soul, you're going to be extremely successful and you're going to be rewarded financially as well. But if you don't put your soul into it, if you don't put your heart into it, you're just spinning your wheels and kind of wasting your time.That's always been my philosophy of the power equipment industry." Tom Nielsen Head groundskeeper, Louisville Bats Tom Nielsen is head groundskeeper at Louisville Slugger Field for the Louisville Bats Triple-A franchise. Nielsen, recipient of the prestigious Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) George Toma Golden Rake Award for 2011, is known for his mentorship of many in the industry, but in particular students that pass through his outstanding internship program. He has mentored 30-plus employees who went on to continue working in the Green Industry as either head groundskeepers or assistants in professional baseball, universities, high school athletics and landscape companies. Some of those who have gone on to notable careers of their own include JakeTyler,head groundskeeper for the Toledo Mud Hens; Chad Laurie, head groundskeeper for the Buffalo Bisons;Thomas Trotter, head groundskeeper for the Nashville Sounds; Steve Ruckman, director of field operations for the Richmond Flying Squirrels; Dan Blank, head groundskeeper for TD Ameritrade Park, home of the College World Series; and Ray Sayre, head groundskeeper for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. "I am willing to help anyone interested in the Green Industry," said Nielsen."I speak with several schools and private groups every year. I plan to continue doing the same work mentoring and promoting the Green Industry in the future." Arbor Age / January/February 2013 15