Chairman’s Letter

Letter FROM THE CHAIR

ON BEHALF OF the TNLA board of directors, I want to say how excited I am as we move into the second half of 2020 and then into 2021. Wow, what a year it has been! Not only has COVID-19 forced us to do business in new ways, it has taught us that we have to be willing to adapt to changes in multiple areas of our lives.

By now, you are aware that the 2020 EXPO has been canceled due to COVID-19. The board of directors reviewed every option, but we unanimously voted that canceling the event was the safest decision for TNLA members, vendors, and other EXPO attendees. There is nobody who loves to network and socialize with friends in the green industry more than I do, so I understand the disappointment. However, the TNLA staff is planning virtual events in lieu of the EXPO, including the TEIL Awards Ceremony, TNLA’s Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta and the TNLA Labor Summit. We also have the launch of the TNLA app and are working to make next year’s EXPO better than ever. Mark your calendars for Aug. 5-7, 2021.

As we look ahead to the new year, the board of directors continue to seek avenues to improve the association. I am very proud of our Texas association, and I believe we can capitalize on one of our greatest strengths: the diversity of people in our state and across our industry. We can do more to provide greater opportunities to the young men and women coming to us right out of high school, college, and the military. And, to better reflect our industry, TNLA has worked hard to include more representation from diverse communities and business backgrounds.

I look forward to reaching out across Texas and within different regions to find new ways to encourage more opportunities for everyone. I am confident that if each of us “use our voices” and speak with truth and kindness while listening to the concerns of others, we can learn and ultimately be a better green industry.

There is no doubt that we are going to be a different association coming out of COVID-19. This year has taught us a lot about managing changes in the industry. But I’m convinced we will come out of this time period a stronger and more educated green industry. Ultimately leading better businesses across the State of Texas.

TIM LITTLE TNLA CHAIR

TNLA Green

The official publication of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association July/August | Vol. 23 No. 4

Directors Chairman of the Board ... Tim Little, McKinney Chairman-Elect ... Adrian Muehlstein, TMCNP, Carrollton Immediate Past Chairman ... Jay Williams, League City President/CEO ... Amy Graham, Austin

Board of Directors Region I ... Kevin Grossberndt, Bigfoot Region II ... Mike Hugg, TCNP, TCLP, Houston Region III ... Nigel Clark, Winnsboro Region IV ... Craig Duttarer, TCLP, Carrollton Region V ... Jackie Smith, Santo Region VI ... Steven Akers, Slaton Region VII ... Gerry Bower, Weslaco Region VIII ... Brad Seever, Austin Supplier Director ... Mark Manny, Crosby Grower Director ... Kevin Norris, Coppell Landscape Director ... Kyle Cahill, TCLP, TCWSP, Houston Irrigation Director ... Devin Guinn, Dallas Retail Director ... Dean Warren, Kingwood Director At-Large ... Bobby Eichholz, PLA, ASLA, San Antonio Director At-Large ... Estela Garcia-Perez, San Antonio Director At-Large .... Rachelle Kemp, TCLP, TMCNP, Waco

TNLA Staff President/CEO ... AmyGraham Director of Finance ... Cheryl Staritz Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs… Ryan Skrobarczyk Director, EXPO Exhibits and Membership... AmyPrenger, CEM Director, TNLA & EXPO Marketing/Communications... Sarah Riggins, CEM Director, Industry Education and Certifications… James Theiss, TCLP, TCWSP, Certified Arborist Office Operations Assistant... NancySollohub Membership & Certification Specialist… Sara Fern Specialist, TNLA and EXPO Marketing/Communications… AshleyPettibone Senior Sales Manager...TrevorPeevey

Magazine Staff October Custom Publishing Editor ... Sarah Thurmond Creative Director ... Torquil Dewar Art Director ... Shelley Lai Production ... Zach Scouras

TNLA Green magazine is a member service of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, and is published bi-monthly. Advertising information is available from TNLA, 7730 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78745, online at www.tnlaonline.org, or by calling (800) 880-0343. TNLA office hours are weekdays, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CST. Copyright 2020 Texas Nursery Landsape & Association