MAINEVILLE, Ohio – Rick Doesburg, CEO of Thornton Landscape, was honored last week by the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) as the 2011 Distinguished Contribution Award recipient.

ONLA Executive Director Kevin Thompson said their decision to select Doesburg was an easy one. “Rick has been extremely active in green industry associations and organizations throughout his career,” Thompson said.

Doesburg’s son, Andy, president of the Maineville landscape services company and former ONLA president, presented the award to his father at last week’s ceremony. The selection process for this prestigious award is based on the recipient’s contribution to the nursery and landscape industry as a whole.

“This honor is incredibly rewarding as it is humbling to be recognized by such a well respected organization in the industry. I’ve been very fortunate to work in a field that I’m passionate about, doing what I love. To be acknowledged for my work thus far is just icing on the cake,” Doesburg said.

In 1969 after graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in horticulture, Doesburg began his career with Thornton Landscape. After spending 30 years with the company, he bought the business from the Thornton family in 1999.

Doesburg also served as president of the ONLA and is the only two-time president of the Associates Council of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Cincinnati. In 2006, Doesburg received an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Homebuilders Association of Greater Cincinnati.

Additionally, as part of the Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF) program, Doesburg established the Thornton/Doesburg Family scholarship to encourage youth to pursue a career in the design/build landscape industry. He said the scholarship allows him to give back to the industry he has been a part of for 40 years.

Doesburg is a registered landscape architect and a charter certified landscape professional through PLANET. He and his son continue to lead the charge toward professional standards in the landscape industry through continued involvement in those organizations by Thornton Landscape.