PBI-Gordon Goes to Washington

Representatives of PBI-Gordon Corporation, a national leader in the professional turf and ornamental management industry, recently traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in two events coordinated by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national trade association for landscape industry professionals. The outreach included the annual Renewal & Remembrance volunteer cleanup and maintenance event at Arlington National Cemetery and a Legislative Day on Capitol Hill.

On July 22, 2013, PBI-Gordon’s Product Sales Specialist Jim Goodrich, Sales Representatives Scott Wanzor (Georgia) and Ray Funkhouser (Virginia), and Eastern Regional Manager Doug Obermann joined hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals from across the nation for Renewal & Remembrance. The volunteers spent the day mulching, upgrading sprinklers, cabling and installing lightning protection for trees, pruning, applying lime to 150 acres, planting, and aerating the soil throughout the cemetery.

“This is my fourth year participating in Renewal & Remembrance,” Goodrich said. “It is always an honor and a privilege to take part in this event. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran who fought for our country, and it means so much to be able to give back and honor the fallen – those who gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting for the rights provided by the U.S. Constitution – and to help preserve this national treasure for generations to come.”

The day began at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony featuring a joint color guard and speaker presentations to dedicate the day of work helping to maintain the hallowed grounds.

“Our members look forward to this opportunity each year to give back to the men and women who gave their lives for their country,” said Bruce Allentuck, Landscape Industry Certified, PLANET member and chairman of the event. “We consider it a privilege to be able to lend our time and talents to such a worthwhile project.” Many PLANET members have special connections at the cemetery, either through relatives and friends who are buried there or through their own military service.

On July 23, 2013, the four PBI-Gordon representatives and hundreds of other PLANET members converged on Capitol Hill to meet with their local officials and discuss a wide array of issues impacting the landscape industry, including H-2B, over-regulation and Lyme disease related legislation.

“This event allows PLANET members to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues that are important to their businesses and the lawn and landscape industry as a whole,” said PLANET President Glenn Jacobsen, Landscape Industry Certified.

The landscape industry is a $71 billion industry that employs approximately 900,000 people and helps to fuel the nation’s economy.

For more information about the events, visit www.landcarenetwork.org