Around the Industry
Easy Gardener Products Appoints New President and COO
Easy Gardener Products, Inc., recently announced that David L. Jackson would become its president and chief operating officer. In this new role, Jackson will lead the company’s day-to-day operations, and develop and execute the company’s strategic growth plan. He will report to Chief Executive Officer Richard Grandy.
“David Jackson’s proven ability to strengthen and grow companies gives the Easy Gardener team confidence that our company will continue growing,” says Grandy.
Jackson previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Okabashi Brands, Inc., a leader in the comfort shoe industry, and as Vice President of Merchandising at Mac Tools, a division of The Stanley Works.
Headquartered in Waco, Texas, with European headquarters in London, Easy Gardener Products, Inc., manufactures and distributes a broad range of lawn and garden merchandise. For more information, visit www.easygardener.com.
Organizations Join Forces for Pruning Guide
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), Echo Incorporated and Corona Clipper, Inc. have teamed up to create a training manual and DVD about the art of pruning trees and shrubs. The techniques shown within the Principles of Pruning Ornamental Trees & Shrubs DVD will mirror skills required to receive PLANET’s nationally recognized Certified Landscape Technician designation. Available in both Spanish and English versions, the state-of-the-art DVD focuses on shrubs and trees less than 15 feet tall, demonstrating specific pruning techniques with a primary emphasis on safety. The accompanying manual includes content-related questions, enabling companies to test an employee’s knowledge of the techniques and safety guidelines. The DVD and manual are now available through PLANET’S bookstore at www.landcarenetwork.org.
“We are extremely proud to be involved with this very worthwhile project,” said John Reisbeck, executive vice president for Corona Clipper. “Anything we can do to help professionals to improve their performance tops our priority list.”
Project EverGreen Announces New Officers
Project EverGreen, a national nonprofit organization, recently announced the appointment of Chris Kujawa of Kujawa Enterprises, Inc., to lead the organization through 2008 as president of the group’s board of directors. He has more than 25 years of experience in landscape management, design/build construction and erosion control.
“I look forward to serving in this important capacity and working with this core group of green industry leaders to raise the awareness of the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits of landscapes,” Kujawa says.
Project EverGreen also expanded its Board of Directors to include Katie Bromm of Hines Horticulture, Nick Cashier of Cub Cadet, Bill Nicholson of Garick Corporation, and Dale Siems of Sherman Nursery. It named current board member Kirk Hunter of Turfgrass Producers International to its officer group and welcomed two current board members to its executive committee: Dan Carrothers of DataCore and Alan White, president of Project EverGreen Canada. For more information, visit www.projectevergreen.com.
Aquascape Founder Featured on Inc. Magazine Website
Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape, Inc., is a featured blog writer on Inc. magazine’s website. After appearing on Inc.‘s cover in 2003 and having Aquascape’s company culture highlighted in the August 2007 issue, a blog on Inc.‘s web site is the next chapter for “The Pond Guy”.
“There’s an old adage that says the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know,” Wittstock writes in his first entry. “That saying certainly applies to me and my life as an entrepreneur. Yet along the way I have learned a thing or two in business and in life, and hence this blog.” Wittstock plans to journal Aquascape’s struggles and accomplishments with the goal of helping other entrepreneurs learn from his experiences, and yes, even his mistakes.
Wittstock launched his first entry on Nov. 26, 2007, where he documents his ongoing relationship with Inc. magazine. Blog entries promise to focus on creating a positive company culture, developing customer relationships and improving financial success through business analysis. Named Pondemonium after Aquascape’s premier educational event, the blog can be found at www.inc.com. For more information on Aquascape, Inc., visit www.aquascapeinc.com.
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