North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association names directors, issues awards

At its 2016 annual meeting during Green & Growin’ 16 in Greensboro, N.C. on Jan. 22, the membership of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) elected three industry professionals to serve three-year terms on the NCNLA Board of Directors. New NCNLA Directors include:

Hugh Crump
President of Greenline Design, Inc. in Charlotte, NC

Crump founded Greenline Design, Inc., a full-service landscape design-build firm based in Charlotte, NC, in 1991. A NC-licensed landscape contractor and life-long resident, he has previously served as President of the American Boxwood Society.

Lynn McCleneghen
Landscape Designer, Parker Landscape Services, Inc. in Apex, N.C.

McCleneghen is the landscape designer at Parker Landscape Services, Inc. in Apex, NC. She holds a B.S. in ornamental horticulture from Virginia Tech and previously served on the Board of the North Carolina Landscape & Grounds Management Association.

Chris Mitchell

Account Manager, Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply in Garner, N.C.

Mitchell is an account manager with Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply in Garner, N.C. He holds a B.S. in horticulture/landscape design from N.C. State and previously served as president of the North Carolina Green Industry Council. Additionally, Mitchell serves as secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board.

Two green industry businesses were also honored with industry excellence awards during Green & Growin' 2016. 

NCNLA’s Excellence in the Landscape Awards reflect a company’s commitment to promote high standards of quality landscape design, installation and maintenance. The program recognizes and awards landscape professionals who execute quality and sustainable landscape projects. In sponsoring the awards program, NCNLA is striving to increase the public’s awareness of environmental improvement through landscape contractors’ cognizance and commitment to excellence and sustainability.

The award categories are: Landscape Management, Landscape Installation, Design/Build, Sustainable Landscape, Ecological Plantings, and Container Plantings.

The following are winners of 2015 NCNLA Excellence in Landscape Awards:

Receiving a DISTINCTION Award:

Appalachian Naturescapes, Morganton, NC
Landscape Installation Residential

Carl Meyers and Terrel Knutson with Appalachian Naturescapes receive their Distinction Award

Receiving the GRAND Award and BEST IN SHOW:

Greenleaf Services, Linville, NC
Design/Build Residential

NCNLA President Brad Rollins (left) presents Greenleaf Services with Grand Award and Best in Show.

Additionally, the NCNLA recognized several individuals as recipients of individual awards at Green & Growin’ 16. Honorees included:

John Clark, of Pro Green, Inc. (Morganton, N.C.) is the recipient of the 2015 Bill Wilder Award. Starting out at a local turf grass farm during high school, he was determined to work his way up in the industry. After buying controlling interest in the farm, Clark went on pioneer new skills by implementing a process of harvesting sod, allowing bentgrass to be grown on native soils and then utilized on USGA greens. Clark went on to earn his Pesticide Dealer License and oversaw expansion and growth of his business. He continues to utilize his leadership skills by using his growing experience to help his fellow nurserymen address disease and insect problems of their own.

Bill Wilder and NCNLA President Brad Rollins present award to John Clark (center).

NCNLA honored Donna Williams of Worthington Farms (Greenville, NC) as the recipient of the 2015 Libby Wilder Award. Growing up on an eastern NC farm her family had owned and operated since 1852, Williams was born into the green industry. Now at her own family-owned and operated nursery, Worthington Farms, she is dedicated to supporting the production of high quality trees and shrubs as the company’s Secretary/Treasurer. Williams’s long-term service to the industry, including NCNLA, demonstrates an on-going commitment to the success of North Carolina’s green industry.

Libby Wilder (right) presents the Libby Wilder Award to Donna Williams.

Dr. Barb Fair of North Carolina State University is the 2015 recipient of the Kim Powell Award. Dr. Fair is recognized for her extensive contributions and dedication to numerous industry associations and organizations, including NCNLA. She has written many industry publications, papers, and manuals; and travels the state to give talks on landscaping, arboriculture, and green infrastructure. Dr. Fair is an excellent leader and mentor to the undergraduate students at NC State and future industry professionals, and was heavily involved in the coordination and implementation of PLANETs Student Career Days at NC State during 2015.

NCNLA President Brad Rollins presents Dr. Barb Fair with the Kim Powell Award.

Connie Hoyes was recognized for her enthusiasm for entrepreneurship with the Oakland Award. Connie has displayed exemplary leadership and dedication on several industry boards, including the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Licensing Board. She is also a NC Landscape Contractor, a NC Irrigation Contractor, an ISA Certified Arborist, and a Certified Plantsman. Currently the president of Southern Garden, Inc. (Apex, NC), Connie directs administration, sales, and production departments.

Connie Hoyes accepts Oakland Award from NCNLA President Brad Rollins.

The winner of this year's Grower of the Year award, Jericho Farms (Pikeville, NC), is owned by Danny and Peggy VanDevender. The nursery owes its success to their dedication, hard work, & perseverance through the years. Danny and Peggy are long time advocates of local, state, and federal trade associations throughout the green industry, including NCNLA. They have also played an integral leadership role in the development of statewide industry credentials and accreditations.

Jericho Farms owners Danny and Peggy VanDevender accept Grower of the Year Award.

Dennis Niemeyer of Carlton Plants (Dayton, OR) was honored as the recipient of the D.S. Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award. Dennis was recognized for his 35 years of service and dedication to the green industry, specifically working with nurseries, greenhouses and golf courses. He has served the industry in official capacities on boards and industry associations and as an appointed industry representative to state government.

Dennis Niemeyer shares a laugh with NCNLA President Brad Rollins after accepting his Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award.

Doug Clark of C&G Nursery (Newland, NC) was recognized with a Honorary NCNLA Membership in 2015 for his dedication and service to the green industry since early childhood in the 1950s to today. Through the years he has used smart business tactics and willingness to adapt when he saw the need to diversify his nursery stock, contributing to the success of his family’s over 1800 acre nursery it is today.

Dee Clark accepts an Honorary NCNLA Membership Award on behalf of his father, Doug, from NCNLA President Brad Rollins.