Breaking News: April 1998, PLCAA Names New VP; ALCA Looks At Consolidation

PLCAA Names New Executive Vice President

MARIETTA, Ga. - As it turned out, the almost year-long search for a replacement of Ann McClure as executive vice president of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America found who it was looking for in the most unexpected spot - PLCAA’s office.

The association’s board unanimously agreed to remove the "acting" from Tom Delaney’s title at a special board meeting Feb. 28 in Chicago. Delaney had served as acting executive vice president since McClure resigned on April 1, 1997, to take a similar executive position with the International Gas Turbine Institute.

Delaney, who has been with PLCAA for nine years, will continue to hold his position as government affairs director for the time being until a determination can be made as to whether an additional person should be hired for that position.

"Initially, I wasn’t that interested in the position," Delaney related. "I felt that what I was doing with government affairs was important to the association and I didn’t have any interest being in management.

"But as I watched the search committee go through the available applicants, I knew we were getting to a point where we would have to begin the process all over," he continued, recognizing that the search committee had been close to recommending a candidate to the board on at least one other occasion. "When we got to this juncture and I was approached about the position it seemed like a good fit for everyone."

At the top of Delaney’s "To Do" list now is refocusing PLCAA on its long-term plans and goals.

"Our primary goals are obviously growing the association and serving its members, but I don’t know if we have as many long-term goals as we should," he recognized. "We have plans to bring in a very knowledgeable group to see where we should be setting our sights."

Although he declined to identify any specific plans or programs for PLCAA, Delaney did indicate that growing the membership base will be a major focus in the immediate future. He noted that PLCAA has signed a consulting contract with past PLCAA president Bob Andrews, owner, The Greenskeeper, Carmel, Ind., who will consult with the association regarding member acquisition and retention issues.

"I’m going to be reviewing all the print material PLCAA produces for its membership," explained Andrews. "I’ll also be working on a program that will allow the association to keep in touch with its first-, second- and third-year members. It’s at this level where we’ve historically had the most trouble retaining members."

Andrews stressed that direct communication with these members will be a critical aspect of member retention. To this end, he said that he will be available to members to answer "nuts and bolts, business oriented questions when members call in for help. It’s something PLCAA has never really had before, and it gives small businesses with important issues somewhere to turn."

Finally, Andrews will be working with the board on the development of a new dues structure for members, a topic that will stay on the front burner in the coming months.

Andrews is pleased with PLCAA’s present board of trustees, and is looking forward to his expanded role in the organization.

"PLCAA is healthy, and it has some really outstanding leadership of mid-size companies who have been around the industry for a number of years. They have some tough issues that need immediate attention, and they’re not backing away."

In addition to its consulting arrangement with Andrews, PLCAA is close to finalizing an agreement with an outside marketing firm to further address membership issues, Delaney noted.

"I’ve been very interested to note that in some other associations with very detailed strategic plans, the executives can stop before taking any new action and make sure that it fits with the association’s strategic plan," he said. "That may mean they’re not doing everything they can do, but they stay focused."

Delaney professed a real excitement for the opportunity to serve the association as executive vice president and credited McClure with making his decision to take the position easier.

"I had and always will have great respect for Ann and her managerial and organizational skills," he said. "There’s no way, shape or form that anyone could’ve gotten me to go to another association for such a position. Here, I’ve had the opportunity to see what’s been done, how Ann set up the procedures here and what has worked for us. Now I hope to continue that.

- Bob West & Paul Schrimpf

ALCA Viewpoint On Consolidation

The landscape contracting business is a highly competitive business that is constantly evolving to the benefit of our members and the industry. The current trend of consolidations of landscape businesses is an inevitable change in a dynamic industry.

ALCA’s primary mission has always been to respond to the needs of its members. Many of the companies that are part of these consolidations have been members of ALCA for years and already value the ALCA services provided to them. They have participated in the long range planning process, the restructuring of governance, Student Career Days and the legislative representation. Many of them have received ALCA’s Environmental Awards, from which their businesses have benefited. They know what ALCA has to offer.

ALCA’s strength has been in its ability to incorporate and represent the many different aspects of the landscape industry as it has grown. These companies are products of the professionalism and sound business practices ALCA promotes. By becoming national companies, there will be a heightened awareness of the landscape contracting business to the profit of all of our members. ALCA will be provided with the opportunity to expand services, develop new networking venues and present our membership with an expanded view of the industry.

ALCA is poised for this growth, and growth always has its challenges. It is difficult to anticipate the changes consolidation will bring to the industry, but ALCA has been a forum for discussion of these types of changes in the landscape industry for over 35 years. We are well prepared.

- Debra Holder

The author is Executive Director of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America.