Project EverGreen, ScottsMiracle-Gro Complete Renovation Project in Phoenix
Project EverGreen and ScottsMiracle-Gro partnered with the City of Phoenix to try to lessen the urban heat island effect, increase shade and reduce temperatures in the Valley of the Sun with a GreenCare for Communities renovation project at Phoenix’s Barrios Unidos Park.
The 14-acre park, located near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, is in one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods. Highlighting the project was the planting of 49 25-gallon box trees (oaks and elms ranging from 8 to 12 feet tall) to deliver more shade and, ultimately, cooler temperatures to the park and its visitors.
In advance of the tree planting, industry professionals extended the parks’ irrigation system and added drip bubblers to provide adequate water to the new trees. The city’s forestry department dug holes for each tree in advance of the volunteer day.
Providing the labor were ScottsMiracle-Gro team members and green industry volunteers and suppliers including Eco Verde Irrigation, Ewing Outdoor Supply, LandCare, Mariposa Landscape, Rain Bird, Reed Landscape and Yellowstone Landscape. The Project EverGreen and ScottsMiracle-Gro partnership with the City of Phoenix will continue into 2025 and include additional community integration and overseeding at Barrios Unidos Park.
The undertaking marked the second GreenCare for Communities project in the Valley of the Sun for Project EverGreen. In 2019, in partnership with the Sports Field Management Association, the ballfield at Lindo Park was completely renovated.
Tim MinnemaCentral Turf & Irrigation Supply
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply Hires COO
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply named Tim Minnema for the role of COO.
In this newly created role, Minnema will continue to elevate the company framework set forth by the Luciano family by focusing on new opportunities for optimization, streamlining processes and efficiencies.
Minnema brings more than 25 years of experience in retail, distribution and operations. Throughout his career with companies like Bosch, Valspar and Specialty Building Products, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, unrelenting customer focus and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
“Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of helping private and family companies from $30 million to $500 million in revenue grow their top and bottom line,” said Tim Minnema. “I knew one day I wanted to find a company that had the same value system, energy level and passion for business that I do. I believe that is what Central Turf & Irrigation Supply has. The Luciano family has done an amazing job growing the business and developing a lot of very talented people. I really look forward to being part of the next stages of growth at Central Turf & Irrigation Supply.”
Neighborly Names new CMO
Neighborly, a home services company, appointed Stacy Lynn Bourgeois as its new chief marketing officer (CMO), effective Dec. 2. She will serve as a member of Neighborly’s corporate leadership team and report directly to CEO Mike Davis.
“Stacy Lynn brings a wide array of experience in business and brand strategy, organizational leadership, customer insight, data analytics and marketing technology,” said Davis. “Her expertise and innovative approach to marketing will be instrumental in helping us better connect with our customers, differentiating our brands, making Neighborly and our service brands ridiculously easy to do business with while navigating an increasingly competitive landscape.”
Bourgeois is a strategic marketer who has driven double-digit growth while compiling a breadth of experiences. Throughout her career, she has launched new physical and digital products as well as a new restaurant concept at Yum! brands, stood up several new teams such as performance marketing and data science, implemented a new marketing technology stack and led Pizza Hut through an agency review and countless creative campaigns.
She joins Neighborly from Amazon, where she broadened her scope from marketing to business more holistically in roles such as global head of product, quality and operations for Amazon Renewed or U.S. Head of Musical Instruments. In her time with Amazon, she’s enhanced the discoverability of preowned products, increased conversion rates, simplified customer experience, improved operations, and owned a multibillion-dollar P&L. Even in general management-focused roles, she’s anchored on driving growth through the customer, such as offering free lessons with an instrument purchase on Amazon. Bourgeois will be based in Irving, Texas.
Landscape Design Empire, powered by Stihl, is designed as a way to connect young people with the world of landscaping.National Association of Landscape Professionals
NALP, Stihl Partner on Landscape Design Empire
The National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation (NALP) joined forces with Stihl for the expansion of NALP Foundation’s online learning experience Landscape Design Empire on the Roblox platform.
With sponsorship from Stihl, the Landscape Design Empire launched an updated version on Nov. 22, introducing a host of new features and gameplay elements, including a virtual Stihl dealership, on-avatar items, landscaping equipment, tools and vehicles, along with interactive quests and mini games that showcase Stihl's equipment. The update also includes new landscape jobs and plant options.
This latest update is part of the foundation’s larger mission to engage younger generations and promote career paths in landscaping and lawn care. Since launching in March, the game has attracted more than 57,000 unique players, with 70% of users aged 12 and under, a testament to its appeal among younger audiences.
"Our goal with Landscape Design Empire has always been to connect young people with the world of landscaping in a way that’s fun, educational and inspiring,” said Jenn Myers, executive director of the NALP Foundation. “With Stihl's support, we’re able to expand the game’s offerings, creating a more immersive and hands-on experience. This partnership is a tremendous step forward in our mission to build awareness and excitement around careers in this field.”
The NALP Foundation continues to seek partnerships with organizations interested in supporting the game’s development and expanding the reach of Landscape Design Empire. Future opportunities for sponsors will allow players to experience branded content, special events and additional interactive features that showcase different facets of the landscape industry.
