Mentor Moment

Christopher Thacker went from being a 12-year-old kid with a shovel to running one of Toronto’s largest snow removal operations.

Gloria Beck is encouraging Canadian landscape and horticulture professionals to support Year of the Garden 2022.

Landscape Trades recently had the opportunity to talk landscaping with builder Randy Spracklin, of HGTV’s Rock Solid Builds fame.

An ecological engineer by training, Dr. Nadina Galle researches, designs and pilots emerging technologies to better monitor (and reconnect people to) urban ecosystems — a framework she coined in her doctoral thesis titled “Internet of Nature” (IoN).

Brad Paton is president of Shades of Summer Landscaping, based in Waterdown, Ont.

Nichole Ashton is a trainer and the contractor representative for the Smart About Salt Council (SASC).

Landscape Trades publisher Lee Ann Knudsen retired in January, after more than 20 years with the magazine.

Jan Pedersen is an icon of the horticultural industry and he has earned that reputation, with 50 years of service in our trade.

Sandy Roberton, retired from operating Earthcraft Landscape in Bedford, N.S., has spent his career pushing for educational and certification opportunities in the profession he loves, landscape horticulture.

Peggy Walsh Craig is well known in the industry — especially within the nursery sector for her many contributions to the ornamental sector as the Managing Director of the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation (COPF), a position she held for 21 years from 1990 to her retirement in 2011.

Rita Horan, Woodstock, Ont.’s, parks and forestry supervisor, directs boundless energy toward getting kids and families active outdoors.

Kelvin Vanderveen, owner of Vanderveen’s Greenhouses in Carman, Man., is known for his humility, integrity and his devout beliefs.

Youbin Zheng is a professor at the University of Guelph School of Environmental Sciences, and a researcher for the nursery sector.

Fred Post would like to share his knowledge and help out newcomers to the landscape industry.

Steve Snider is the proud recipient of this year's Don Salivan Grounds Management Award.

Jeff Foley, of Para Space Landscaping is being noticed for his success with recruitment and retention.

I see plants as the solution to heat and air problems, and they tie in with my economic responsibility to make the world better.

John Schroeder was also known as an innovator and someone who embraced cutting edge technology.

Drew regards each property as his own and ensures that everything is in good order.

I love horticulture because my job changes every day.

I always enjoyed helping people accomplish something. Business is all about people.

Rita Weerdenburg has spent her career promoting the green profession.

Anthony O’Neill’s passion for horticulture came from his father, Joe, who was an avid gardener and small business operator in Spaniard’s Bay, Nfld. In the 1990’s.

Michael Pascoe is dedicated to nurturing budding talent at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.

Jacki Hart administers Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network and coaches landscaping pros and other clients.

Gerry Aubin is a fourth-generation nurseryman supplying wholesale trees, shrubs, fruit plants and perennials to retailers and landscapers in cold climates.

An interview with one of the greatest industry salespeople.

Robert Kennaley offers advice for snow contractors.

Rogers calls himself the type of leader that gently guides the ship from the bow, rather than manning the rudder, and every other detail, from the stern.

Paul Olsen of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries in Schomberg, Ont., passed away suddenly in March. This column interviews his associates across Canada; everyone contacted appreciated Paul’s leadership, and had a story to tell.

Jim Mosher of Landscape Plus in Toronto, Ont., is an enthusiastic community supporter, involved in several charities, including the Fight to End Cancer.

Randy Tumber shares his ideas and expertise in native habitat restoration; overall project and site planning; working with natural stone and creating natural-looking water features.

A lot of new varieties and breeders who have developed new plants are going to the branding companies because of the exposure and the sales opportunities.

High volume at reasonable prices was Wade's motto, and his savings were often passed on to his customers

Be upfront during the sales process for services and commit only to what you can perform

Bob Osborne of Corn Hill Nursery mentors anyone who comes within a 20-foot radius.

Christine Stenhouse LeVatte offers her views on environmental stewardship.

Lexi Dearborn of Dearborn Designs & Associates.

Over the past five seasons, van Roessel has brought two talented team members into an ownership partnership, demonstrating an innovative approach to management and transition planning that has benefited his company.

Bob Allen shares advice from over 40 years of experience working in the green profession.

When Jeremy Miller began providing marketing advice to a friend in the landscaping industry in the early 2000s, he had no idea of the amazing opportunities the green profession had to offer.

Dieter Martin has had a long career in horticulture, a very long career.

Bob Wilton, founder of Clintar Landscape Management in Markham, Ont., offers advice to young snow and ice operators.

Heike Stippler, president of Heike Designs in Whistler, B.C., is the mentor for the June 2016 issue of Landscape Trades. Heike Designs provides design, installation and maintenance services.

John Eckhardt of LawnPro Landscapes in Chilliwack, B.C. shares a lesson on controlling expenses to match your company's size.

Kevin Nauss CLP of Price Landscaping Services in Moncton, N.B. gives Landscape Trades readers his take on mentorship. His leadership roles include a board position with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, advisory service with the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal program and governance for the New Brunswick Landscape Horticulture Training Institute.

Brian Dougherty finds a fulfulling career in the landscape profession after a stint in the restaurant business.

This month’s mentor is Peter Guinane, CEO of Oriole Landscaping in Toronto. He has held many leadership positions, including board member for both Canada Blooms and Landscape Ontario, chair of its Contractor Sector Group, and member of the Landscape Canada Committee.

Tim Kearney continues to help business owners via Landscape Ontario's new Prosperity Partners program.

In this new feature, Paul Doornbos shares how he grew his business into becoming an industry leader.