GIE Today: PLCAA Celebrates Anniversary

The Professional Lawn Care Association of America celebrated 25 years in existence, Thursday night at its annual meeting, dinner and awards event. PLCAA Legal Counsel Richard Lehr, the first honorary member of PLCAA, served as emcee and thanked PLCAA’s five former executive vice presidents for their efforts. “What stands out about those leaders is that something about each of those five individuals is now a part of our culture,” Lehr said.

Phil Fogarty, Weed Man, Cleveland, Ohio, updated the association on the progress of the organizations’ volunteer efforts at Arlington National Cemetery and recognized the efforts of PLCAA’s staff as part of the association’s merger with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Fogarty said, “They have done a tremendous amount of work for me and all of us. They’ve worked very selflessly for the last few months for the good of the association, rather than themselves.”

In addition to recognizing key leaders and staff, the association presented its annual awards. A few of which were:

• Environmental Improvement Award – ServiceMaster Lawn Care, Williamsburg, Va.
• Allied Regional Association of the year – New York State Lawn Care Association and the Lawn Care Association of Pennsylvania.
• Best Yellow Pages Advertisement – Herbi-Systems Inc., Bartlett, Tenn.
• James I. FitzGibbon Scholarship ($2,500 sponsored by LESCO) – Laryn Butzler, Michigan State University.
• 2004 Person of the Year – Sam Lang, Fairway Green, Raleigh, N.C.