ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) has added several new members to the combined board for 2011. The NJLCA’s new initiatives and success this past year has encouraged more members to become involved in the association.
“With added member benefits, more educational opportunities, and greater communication with our members, we have found a way to assist them as well as excite them to be involved in the management of the association,” said President Jody Shilan. The role of the combined board is to act on behalf of the membership in making the association the best it can be, managing day-to-day operations, as well as education, legislative initiatives, scholarship programs and more.
In January, NJLCA welcomed past President Chris James, of Chris James Landscaping (Waldwick) as treasurer, Butch Ficker of All Seasons Services (Saddle Brook) as director, and Chris Hricik, of Lawns By Yorkshire (Westwood). In May, the association also announced the addition of Manny Carlino and William Rawles as directors, and Bob Hibler and Richard Gaynor as associate directors. The current combined board also includes Jody Shilan, as President, Bob Pedatella, as vice president, Michael Kukol, as chairman of the board, Pieter van Westervelt as director, and Russell Trocano, Esq. as associate director.
Manny Carlino is founder and CEO of M & R Landscaping & Design of Westfield. Carlino has been in business since 1994 and is proud to say that he has never had an employee leave or quit his company. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from Union College and a Landscape Design Certificate from Cook College. He is a member of the NJ Farm Bureau, a past president of UNICO National (Westfield Chapter) and serves on the board of directors of several civic organizations. His company services more than 450 residential and commercial properties for lawn maintenance, as well as design/build and hardscaping, and he also owns an irrigation company, April Showers. He is a founding member of the PLANJ and held the position of treasurer for more 12 years.
William Rawles is the owner of Making the Cut Property Maintenance of South Plainfield. Rawles has been in business for seven years, holds a Rutgers Landscape Management Certificate and is ICPI certified. His company focuses on commercial and residential landscape maintenance.
Bob Hibler is the director of marketing of Gamka Sales Co. in Edison, distributor of construction products including the sale and rental of construction equipment and much more. Bob previously served as the region 2 vice president of NJLCA and, along with his associate Captain Safety, is very involved in the safety committee.
Richard Gaynor, president of Middleton & Co. Insurance and is a commercial insurance counselor and certified risk manager. He is also a past director of the NJLCA. Gaynor has extensive board participation experience having served on more than 10 public and industry boards, and continues to be an active member of various industry leadership committees.