NHLA announces new board

MIAMI, Fla. – The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA) has announced its new Board of Directors for the 2015-2016 term.

The NHLA’s new leadership reflects the diversity of the landscape industry, including a variety of national origins, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic. This year’s board of officers 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, Centreville, VA

Ralph Egües will continue to serve as executive director of the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance. Additional directors that will make up the NHLA Board this year include:

• Stephanie Carrillo of Ruppert Landscape (Garner, NC)

• Omar Cordero of LC Landscape (Denver, CO)

• Josh Denison of Denison Landscaping (Fort Washington, MD)

• Rafael Díaz of Diaz Group (Chicago, IL)

• Ivan Giraldo of Clean Scapes Landscaping (Austin, TX)

• MJ Macias of Gachina Landscape Management (Menlo Park, CA)

• Mari Medrano Mejia of CoCal Landscape (Denver, CO)

• Ken Taylor of John Deere (Cary, NC)

• William H. Walton III of Honda Power Equipment (Alpharetta, GA)

“It is such an honor to take on this role as president of the NHLA. 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,” said 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 ofHispanics in our industry.”

In addition to developing new educational programs and announcing new equipment discounts for members, the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance in 2015 has been busy promoting the environmental and human health benefits of turf grass use and opposing turf grass limitations. The NHLA has simultaneously been working to support those who employ seasonal workers through the H-2B visa program by opposing the Department of Labor, which has continued to burden that program and make it too costly for many landscape companies to use.

The organization not only advocates on behalf of Hispanics in the industry, but also creates training programs and offers resources to ensure their success and that of business owners that are strengthening the U.S. economy and creating jobs. The NHLA plans to continue amplifying educational offerings that focus on the upward mobility of the Hispanic workforce and bridging the cultural gap that exists between those in leadership positions and their laborers.

Juan Torres, the newly elected NHLA president, is the founder of Next Step Solutions, an operations consulting firm in East Haven, Connecticut. The nationally recognized speaker, presenter, instructor and workforce development consultant has more than 25 years of experience in the tree care and landscape industry. He began as a laborer in 1987. Since then, through hard work and a keen interest in learning, implementing and sharing industry best practices, he ascended through a variety of leadership roles and helped others in the industry reach their potential.

The NHLA has experienced a sharp increase in membership enrollment in 2015 as leading manufacturers have extended members-only discounts and forward thinking dealers have leveraged these incentives and worked with the NHLA to better engage Hispanics in their area.

“The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance will continue to pursue opportunities to further provide resources for the upward mobility of Hispanic Americans across the nation. We will continue to educate the industry, policymakers and the community at large about the importance of natural grass and managed landscapes,” said Ralph Egües, executive director of the NHLA. “Our 2015 board is composed of individuals that come from reputable companies and they are well-versed on issues that are adversely affecting the industry. They are also passionate about sharing what has helped them succeed and about supporting the broader success of Hispanic Americans in the landscape industry.”