The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA), the only trade association for the professional development of Hispanics in the U.S. landscaping industry, has announced its
Juan Torresnew Board of Directors for 2015-2016. “The board reflects the diversity of the landscape industry, including Hispanic and non-Hispanic members,” an NHLA news release says. This year’s board includes:
- President – Juan Torres, Founder, Next Step Solutions, East Haven, CT
- President-Elect – Pam Berrios, President, Alexandria Lawn Service, Alexandria, VA
- Secretary – Jose Arroyo, President, Jose’s Landscaping, Lyman, SC
- Treasurer – Domenic Chiarella, 7 of 7 Best Business & Life Strategies, Southbury, CT
- Immediate Past-President – Raúl Berrios, Principal, Rulyscapes, Inc., Centreville, VA
Ralph Egües will continue to serve as executive director of NHLA. Additional directors that will make up the NHLA Board this year include:
- Stephanie Carrillo, Ruppert Landscape, Garner, NC
- Omar Cordero, LC Landscape, Denver, CO
- Josh Denison, Denison Landscaping Inc., Fort Washington, MD
- Rafael Díaz, Diaz Group, LLC, Chicago, IL
- Ivan Giraldo, Clean Scapes Landscaping, Austin, TX
- MJ Macias, Gachina Landscape Management, Menlo Park, CA
- Mari Medrano Mejia, CoCal Landscape, Denver, CO
- Ken Taylor, John Deere, Cary, NC
- William H. Walton III, Honda Power Equipment, Alpharetta, GA
“During the last couple of years, the organization has made tremendous strides, implementing unique educational programs and facilitating beneficial peer-to-peer interaction, while effectively advocating for the best interests of our members and the industry,” says Juan Torres, president of the NHLA. “Our board looks forward to continuing to develop programming that meets the specific needs of Hispanics in the landscape industry and helps them become more successful and grow as industry leaders. We also look forward to continuing to help the broader industry better engage the growing number of Hispanics in our industry.”
The NHLA has been busy promoting the environmental and human health benefits of turf grass use and have been working to support those who employ seasonal workers through the H-2B visa program. The NHLA has experienced a sharp increase in membership enrollment in 2015 as leading manufacturers have extended members-only discounts and dealers have leveraged these incentives and worked with the NHLA to better engage Hispanics in their area, an NHLA spokesperson says.
