Meet NALP’s Newest Trailblazer, Jeff Rossen

JEFF ROSSEN, PRESIDENT AND

CEO of Rossen Landscape, based in Great Falls, Virginia, has joined the NALP Trailblazers, a group of landscape industry experts who are nominated by their peers for their contributions to the industry. Trailblazers mentor others in the industry through the program.

Rossen started his first business, Atlantic Landworks, after graduating from high school. After earning his degree at Virginia Tech, he worked at one of the country’s largest landscaping companies as a foreman before heading up the maintenance division. In 2003, he launched Rossen Landscape.

He believes in creating an environment where people want to work to attract top talent. Rossen says some of his areas of expertise include organic growth, high-end residential construction and maintenance, along with process development and implementation.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A TRAILBLAZER?

I’ve had a lot of people help me along the way and I want to help the next generation of up and comers get there.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR INDUSTRY MENTORS?

Barry Schneider from Surrounds Landscaping and Frank Mariani from Mariani Landscape.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SHARE WITH FELLOW NALP MEMBERS AS A TRAILBLAZER?

My passion for the game of business, my years of experience, and save them from making some of the mistakes I made.

WHAT’S ONE OF THE MISTAKES YOU LEARNED FROM?

Thinking you need to be friends with everyone that works for you and align in that way. I always wanted to just work with people that I liked and wanted to be friends with. And as it turns out, as the business grows, you don’t have to want to be friends with everybody that works in the company. You got to work with people who get the job done. As a young guy it’s natural you want to work with people you gravitate towards, but at the end of the day that doesn’t always equate to success.

By Jill Odom

WHY SHOULD NALP MEMBERS SIGN UP TO WORK WITH A TRAILBLAZER?

It’s a benefit that comes with their membership so it’s a no brainer with that regard. It’s basically like having a consultant with no charge working one-on-one with you.

WHY SHOULD MORE EXPERIENCED MEMBERS CONSIDER BEING A TRAILBLAZER?

If they want the reward of helping others or the feeling of giving back and contributing, they should do it. TLP