New Team Member!

We are pleased to welcome Justin Littlehale to the TGK team as our new Commercial Account Manager. Justin found his way into the green industry after working at an office job, where sitting inside looking out wasn't good enough! He quit his desk job and started his own landscape company which he ran for the last 10 years.

Justin brings a new skill set to The GroundsKeeper - he is ICPI certified. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) is the North American trade association representing the interlocking concrete paving industry. We are excited about the skills, training and ideas Justin will bring to our hardscape & enhancements services. He also has his Massachusetts Pesticide license.

According to Justin, his favorite parts of his job are the ability to work outside with nature, and the instant gratification he gets when he leaves a property at the end of the day.

Justin lives in Brockton with his wife Christina and they are expecting their first child in August.

MCLP, MCA & MLP - What does it mean?

The very first TGK blog was about certifications, but what do all of those letters (MLP, MCA, MCLP) really mean? Read on to find out why hiring certified technicians is important to your landscape:

Selecting a Landscape Contractor for HOAs & Condos

A large portion of our clients are condominium & apartment complexes and Homeowner Associations, so we thought it might be helpful to share some information about how to select a landscape contractor in those situations.

Certifications and Accreditations

At The GroundsKeeper, education and industry involvement are key parts of our employees’ roles. Enhancements Manager Lauren Conroy holds the most certifications on staff and hopes to add another credit to her name in the very near future. So what does it all mean to Lauren and ultimately to her customers? Read on to find out.

“I initially received my MCH accreditation while working at a nursery when I was younger because I love plants! I quickly realized how important education and certifications are to maintaining your position in the industry. It also prepares you for greater job responsibility, strengthens your skills and knowledge, and demonstrates your commitment to your profession.

Although all my credentials are important and valuable to my role at The GroundsKeeper, Inc., my Design Certificate (CLD) is the most important to me. I received it through the Landscape Institute at Harvard University after college and it was a great experience. Aside from my CLD, my Massachusetts Certification for both Horticulture and Landscape Professional allow me to be knowledgeable in shrub care, hardscape features, and most importantly, safety! In addition, they all combine to give me the confidence needed to pursue anything in the landscape industry.

To become accredited, there is usually a written exam and often additional time or experience requirements that you must complete. To become a Mass Certified Landscape Professional, you have to pass a test that covers everything from safety to proper walkway construction, and tree and shrub identification. However, it doesn’t end there! Every year, there is required association involvement to keep your accreditation. This includes trade shows and meetings where we continue to learn about landscape, horticultural and design topics such as the Asian Long Horned Beetle and water conservation.

Next, I’m working to become a Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA). This accreditation is through the Massachusetts Arborist Association (MAA), and addresses various topics such as tree and soil biology, arboriculture safety, proper pruning techniques, disease and insect identification, and tree and shrub installation and identification. This accreditation will allow me to become more familiar with the tree care industry so The GroundsKeeper, Inc. can really handle all realms of the landscape!

For the customer, these various accreditations show how serious we are about industry involvement and continued education. We know it is important to stay on the cutting edge of developments, issues, techniques and new products.”

In addition to her CLD, MCH and MCLP, Lauren also holds a Pesticide License and is one of four Certified Snow Professionals on staff at The GroundsKeeper, Inc. Visit http://www.groundsinc.com/ for more information on our services.