Registration for ALCA Mentoring Program Begins

Joining the green industry with little knowledge of the ins and outs of daily lawn care can be an overwhelming venture. That’s why the Associated Landscape Contractors of America pairs up rookies and veterans – to help the newcomers learn the ropes.

Registration for ALCA’s 2003 One-on-One Mentor Program is now open. The member benefits program, launched in 2000, is intended to provide direction for exterior and interior landscape contractors who want to grow their businesses. The program runs from late summer through spring 2004 and matches ALCA-member “mentors” with new-member “protégés.”

“I would not be where I am today without ALCA’s mentoring program,” admitted Lea Gerber, Colorscapes Gardening, Broomfield, Colo. The recently mentored contractor was guided by the advice of Tom Fochtman, CoCal Landscape, Denver, Colo. In addition to regular phone conversations with Fochtman, Gerber visited CoCal to learn about the company’s operations.

Through the program, ALCA provides a forum for new landscape contracting firms to learn from the success of experienced companies. Pairs are determined based on the services they provide and the region of the country in which they are located. Mentors and protégés are encouraged, but not required, to meet face-to-face at ALCA’s Green Industry Conference or through a visit to each other’s facilities.

For more information about the One-on-One Mentor Program, please contact the ALCA office at 800/395-2522 or visit the ALCA Web site.