NALP Appoints Board of Directors for 2024-2025
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) named its foundation board of directors slate for 2024-2025. The term begins in October.
Officers:
- President: Joe Ketter, SiteOne Landscape Supply
- President-Elect: Paul Fraynd, LIC, Sun Valley Landscaping
- Secretary/Treasurer: Christianna Denelsbeck, Landscape Workshop
- Immediate Past President: Chris Joyce, Joyce Landscaping
Directors:
- Steve Bromell, Pro Cutters Lawnscapes
- Marcus Duck, Michigan State University
- Jim Funai, Ph.D., Cuyahoga Community College
- Jon Gohl, The Aspire Software Co.
- Angela Hieronimus, Blades of Green Lawn Care
- Mark Hopkins, LandCare
- Bob Jones, Ruppert Landscape
- Roscoe Klausing, LIC, Klausing Group
- Luke Melograno, Mariani Landscape
- Shayne Newman, LIC, YardScapes Landscape Professionals
- Anita Palmer, Sperber Landscape Cos.
- Roger Phelps, Stihl
- Terell Weg, MSNW Group
- Cole Weller, Weller Brothers Landscaping
- Don Winsett, Winsett Consulting
- Britt Wood, CEO, NALP
- Executive Director, Jenn Myers
Equip Expo Appoints New Show Director
Equip Exposition hired Chris Meecha will become its new show director effective Sept. 16.
“Chris is well known in the show management world as a leader and innovator and will help take Equip to the next level,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI, which owns and manages the trade show. “We’re building a world-class event, and it was the perfect time to have him join the team, three years into Equip’s rebranding.”
Meecha, currently general manager of Fern Expo in Louisville, joins the show three years into its rebranding and continued expansion under the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)’s full ownership and management. Meecha spent 14 years at Fern, one of the country’s leading trade show and exposition service providers. He served as general manager of the firm’s Louisville office, which is one of its principal locations. He brings with him 30 years of trade show industry experience and served as a show director before joining Fern. Like Kiser, Meecha is also a University of Louisville graduate.
Jobber Recognizes Jobber Grant Award Winners
Jobber granted 15 recipients $10,000 through its $150,000 Jobber Grants program. Entrepreneurs were selected from thousands of applications and rewarded with $10,000 USD each to help accelerate the growth of their home service businesses and shine a light on their leadership, innovation and community impact.
"At Jobber, we're passionate about empowering small businesses to thrive,” said Sam Pillar, CEO and co-founder of Jobber. “The Jobber Grants program is one of the ways we’re supporting and encouraging the hardworking entrepreneurs who drive our communities forward. It's more than just financial support—it's a commitment to helping business owners achieve their dreams and build lasting success."
The 2024 Jobber Grant recipients include:
Home Service Heroes
- Tara Shepherd & Chris Henderson, Steady Does It Mechanical Services (Lima, Ohio)
- Shane & Jessica Day, Day's Heating & Cooling (Dayton, Ohio)
- Eric & Jesseca Flores, The Ark Mobile RV Repair (Dallas, Texas)
- Antonio Medina, PuroClean of Wellington (Wellington, Florida)
Career Builders
- Kerri Hopkins, Love Every Leaf Landscape Design (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Salim Bagabe, GreenCare Tree Service, (Kitchener, Ontario)
- Candace Langham, Cleaning Tech Pros, (Fishers, Indiana)
- Jay Rawls, Jay's Lawn Care (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Smooth Operators
- Ryan Mayer & Frank Curro, Finaltone Painting Co. (Maple Grove, Minnesota)
- David Sessions & Erin Thomas, Mint Mobile Detail (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Jason Zinn, Modern Lightscapes (Carlsbad, California)
- Darren Steele, Darren Does That (Edmonton, Alberta)
Community Caretakers
- Jeremiah Loyacano, Surprise Home Improvement (Surprise, Arizona)
- Jennifer Artesani, Rosie's Detail House (Manchester, Connecticut)
- Jacob Weigel & Jeremiah Hankerson, Junk Runners (Fairfax, Virginia)
TruGreen Adds New Chief Marketing Officer
TruGreen named Alyssa Puketza as senior vice president and chief marketing officer (CMO).
“From the beginning of her TruGreen career, Alyssa has been instrumental across all aspects of marketing, making significant contributions that have paved the way for this well-deserved promotion,” said Kurt Kane, president and CEO of TruGreen. “Her proven track record is a testament to the ongoing success of our marketing team. With her enhanced leadership, we are confident that, as ‘One Team Together,’ we will continue to elevate our brand’s presence and deepen our engagement with our customers.”
As part of the company’s executive team, she will be responsible for all marketing efforts, including but not limited to brand management, partnerships, campaign programs, market research and advertising. Prior to this promotion, Puketza was serving as vice president, digital marketing and communications at TruGreen. Since joining the organization in October 2023, she has built a top-tier marketing team, pioneered a digital transformation initiative, executed the development of a new external website, and launched a fresh brand look and messaging strategy for TruGreen.
Puketza has more than a decade of experience in the strategic marketing field. Before TruGreen, she served as head of performance marketing at Culligan International where she emphasized her skills in e-commerce, website-user experience and marketing strategies with data-driven results. Earlier in her career, she also held leadership roles at Timberlane and Proscape Technologies. With an extensive background and recent experience at TruGreen, she offers a balance of deep knowledge and innovative ideas, ensuring a forward-thinking approach that will drive continued success and growth.
As CMO, Puketza will oversee all marketing initiatives including TruGreen’s PGA partnership, field marketing, digital presence and customer communications.
