INLA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony

The Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association Annual Meeting was held January 31, 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Rooms 134-135. After an opening reception for mingling and getting acquainted or re-acquainted as it were, the following business was attended to.

Upon the request of opening the annual business by Dean Ricci of RLM Inc., serving as President where the motion was approved. It was confirmed that the quorum was met to continue the proposed meeting. Dean gave an overview of the previous years annual meeting minutes plus an update on the current and fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 financials. Any member requesting such information that was not able to attend can contact Rick Haggard – Executive Director via phone (317) 889-2382 or email rhaggard@inla1.org.

Next order of business was to introduce current Board and Officers, whereas board member Mark O’Brien and Past President Dave LaFara would be leaving the current INLA Board. Dean then proposed the following Officers and Board needing voted upon:

Officers

• President - Gabriel Gluesenkamp, Designscape, Nashville

• President-Elect - Shaun Yeary, Greendell Landscape Solutions, Mooresville

• Vice President - Bob Wasson, Wasson Nursery and Garden Center, Muncie/Fishers

• Honorary Secretary/Past President - Dean Ricci, RLM, Hebron

New Board Members

• Carlos Reichman, Schuetz Insurance Services, Indianapolis (2025)

• Jason Fritz, Stantec Native Plant Nursery, Walkerton (2025)

After asking the floor for nominations and seeing none the above were unanimously approved by vote.

Current Board not needing voted on (term expires)

• Erick Brehob, Brehob Nurseries, Indianapolis (2023)

• Jill Glover, Schneider Nursery, Seymour (2023)

• Kent Wilhelmus, Second Nature Landscape Mgmt, Newburgh (2024))

• Kevin Van sessen, Blade Cutters LLC, Crown Point (2024)

At this time Gabriel Gluesenkamp presented Dean Ricci, his Presidents Plaque. Dean remarked about the privilege it was to serve as President, plus some of the achievements accomplished during his tenure. Gabriel then said a few words on the direction of the continued progress and success for the INLA.

Upon conclusion of the INLA Business Meeting, the INLA continued with the INEF Auction of Landscape Challenge Donation material, plus the Awards Presentation. The INEF Auction (silent and live), plus pass the hat and a large private donation, raised around $6,000.00 this year during the winter conference.

Next on the agenda was handing out the Hank Gilbert Award winners from Purdue University. The following recipients of the award were handed out by Dr. Linda Prokopy, Department Head of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: Tess Eppert, Harland Nadeau & Harrison L. Smith (unfortunately Harland Nadeau was not present to accept his award).

John Deere 317G

Compact Track Loader

• Rated Operating Capacity: 965 kg (2,125 lb.)

• Gross Horsepower: 48.5 kW (65 hp)

• Net Horsepower: 45.6 kW (61 hp)

• Operating Weight: 3824 kg (8,423 lb.)

Congratulations

New Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH)

Initial Iah

Daniel Baker, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN

Mary Bowling, Indianapolis, IN

Ryan Chaney, Outdoor Environments Group LLC, Indianapolis, IN

Aleeah Dungan, Excel Center West, Indianapolis, IN

Kaylee Hart, Excel Center West, Indianapolis, IN

Abby Head, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN

Monica Hudson, Nature's Way, Inc., Bloomington, IN

Kevin Rudolphi, City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN

Sam Sommers, Dammann's Garden Company, Indianapolis, IN

Joseph West, Lemcke Landscape, Inc., Indianapolis, IN