The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) named Jason Cupp, CLP, as PLANET’s president, effective immediately. Cupp has served as the president-elect since November 2006, and replaces Jim Martin, CLP, of James Martin Associates in Vernon Hills, Illinois, who is stepping down one month early for personal reasons.
Cupp will head the PLANET board under a new governance structure that reduces number of board members from 23 to 15.
“The goal of the new PLANET board will be much more strategic than operational.” Cupp explains, “We will focus more on issues impacting the industry including economic and labor challenges.”
Cupp is the chief executive officer of Highland Outdoor, headquartered in the Greater Kansas City suburb of Olathe, Kan.
“I am proud to be elected president of the nation’s leading green industry association,” Cupp says. “The Professional Landcare Network has built tremendous momentum moving the green industry into the future, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue that progress in the coming year.”
Cupp holds an industry certification through the Professional Landcare Network as a Certified Landscape Professional (CLP). The certification process involves in-depth testing and passage demonstrates extensive knowledge, ability, and a commitment to excellence. He helped to grow PLANET’s certification programs and their recognition, and has also served in many roles as part of PLANET leadership.
Highland Outdoor serves the high-end residential and commercial markets as a premier provider of Design/Build and exterior living services, such as patios, retaining walls, water features, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fences, pergolas, gazebos, decks, swimming pools; and most other exterior construction projects. Additionally, Highland Outdoor focuses on property maintenance, including turf and horticulture services, and residential estate care. For more information on Highland Outdoor visit www.Highland-Outdoor.com.
The following is a list of the new board of directors who will be installed along with Cupp during PLANET’s Annual Meeting at the 32nd Student Career Days, March 27-30, 2008, in Atlanta, Ga.:
PLANET Board of Directors
Officers
President
Jason Cupp, CLP
Highland Outdoor
Olathe, Kan.
President-Elect
Bill Hildebolt, Ph.D., CTP, CTP-CSL
Nature’s Select
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Directors-at-Large
Phil Allen
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah
Norman Goldenberg
TruGreen Cos.
Memphis, Tenn.
Gerald Grossi
Arborlawn
Lansing, Mich.
Fred Haskett, CTP
U.S. Lawns/West
St. Louis, Mo.
Ron Johnson
Syngenta
Columbia, S.C.
Joe Kujawa, CLP
Kujawa Enterprises
Oak Creek, Wis.
Miles Kuperus Jr., CLP
Farmside Landscape and Design
Wantage, N.J.
Jennifer Lemcke
Weed Man – Turf Holding
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Barbara Scheibe
Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association
Waukesha, Wis.
Ken Taylor, CLP
John Deere Worldwide
Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division
Cary, N.C.
David Snodgrass, CLP
Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping
Portland, Ore.
Richard Wilbert, CLP
Robert Howard Associates
Boulder, Colo.
For more information on PLANET visit LandcareNetwork.org or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.