GIE in Review: Bill Hoopes Plans for PLCAA's Future as 23rd President

Despite the sagging economy, Bill Hoopes is excited about the opportunities that lay before him as he prepares for his tenure as the 23rd president of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA).

"I believe the industry will have a solid year in 2002 because I believe that when Americans are threatened, we will do what we do best: worry about our home and family," Hoopes explained in an exclusive interview with Lawn and Landscape Online. "That relates to opportunity for the landscaping industry. We believe that discretionary spending will be directed at the lawn care market."

But Hoopes also realizes there are many issues threatening the health of the lawn care industry that need his attention. Hoopes is keeping his eye on pre-notification laws in New York, regulation against cosmetic pesticide use in Canada and restrictions on the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus in the Midwest.

Although these issues are contained within certain regions now, Hoopes stressed the need for all landscape contractors, especially small business owners, to keep up with these initiatives to not only fight them, but to ensure that they don't spread to other areas.

"We want more smaller business people to belong to PLCAA because we're supplying a voice that represents them," Hoopes remarked. "They're not strong enough to go it alone.

"Our job is to develop good legislation," he continued. PLCAA has that expertise."

Hoopes said the main reason harmful legislation affecting the landscaping industry gets passed is because law makers feel pressured to please their constituents, who generally have a misinformed perception of pesticides and how they're used.

"The public has well-placed concerns, but legislators, in an effort to respond, have gone too far and come up with solutions that are not based on science," Hoopes explained. "That translates into blanket legislation, which is overkill.

"We're concerned there will be a backlash to well-intended legislation."

To help combat this, Hoopes plans to streamline PLCAA's message to the media, legislators and consumers. He believes that having one voice to represent the entire industry will be more effective than many small voices.

"In our busy, helter-skelter world, we need to maximize our impact on the media, legislators and consumers," he asserted. "We need to gather ideas, think and speak with one voice. For me, that voice is the PLCAA.

Hoopes, who is director of training, development and regulatory affairs, Scotts LawnService, Marysville, Ohio, also plans to focus on safety and compliance in 2002.

"The way to get people to become better trainers is to communicate with them the benefits of training," Hoopes stated. "I'm going to recommend a pre-conference 'train the trainer' session at the GIE Show in Nashville next year."

PLCAA has training videos and printed information currently available, but Hoopes said he'd like to produce more.

"Many people are slow to comply with regulations, but absence of training can cost you your business," Hoopes warned.