NCNLA recognizes industry leaders with awards

Raleigh, NC – February 21, 2017 – The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) recognized several individuals as recipients of individual awards at Green & Growin’ 17 in Greensboro, NC last month. Honorees included:

 Jerry Ragland Award Young Landscape Professional Award

The Jerry Ragland Award – named for the dedicated landscape contractor and past president of the North Carolina Landscape Association - recognizes an outstanding young person in the landscape business who has worked in the industry between three and ten years. Honorees are members of NCNLA, nominated by the NCNLA membership, ad have made accomplishments to the industry and community.

Kurt Bland

Kurt Bland of Bland Landscaping (Apex, N.C.) received the Jerry Ragland Award for 2016. Beginning his landscaping career at the age of 14 in the family business, Bland went on to earn degrees in Agriculture Business Management and Horticulture Science from NCSU. His commitment to industry professionalism and education, as well as dedication to sustainability, has earned him many titles, such as Landscape Industry Certified Technician, Landscape Industry Certified Manager and NC Licensed Irrigation Contractor.

Bill Wilder Outstanding Young Nursery Professional Award
Established in 1994, and named for the long-time Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Bill Wilder Award recognizes qualified young men and women for outstanding service in the field of environmental horticulture and offers inspiration for others starting out in the field. Candidates must have a very strong industry leadership record.

Hunter Casey

Hunter Casey, of Casey Nursery (Goldsboro, N.C.) is the recipient of the 2016 Bill Wilder Award. Currently the Assistant Production Manager for the nursery, Casey is the 4th generation to work in the family business. He serves as an industry leader through his involvement in multiple industry organizations and associations, including NCNLA, Johnston County Nurserymen Association and the North Carolina Farm Bureau.

Amanda Taylor

Established in 2004, the Kim Powell Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the Association and industry; specifically, involvement in program development and execution

Justin Snyder

Justin Snyder of Alamance Community College is the 2016 recipient of the Kim Powell Award. As a teacher and advisor to students and future professionals at ACC, Snyder manages and maintains the horticulture classrooms, greenhouses, and various outdoor laboratory spaces on campus. He contributes to numerous industry associations and organizations, including NCNLA, and holds the following green industry certifications: Registered Landscape Contractor, Certified Arborist and Certified Plant Professional.

Oakland Award
Established in 1978 by Oakland Plantation, the Oakland Award is given to individuals for outstanding service to the landscape industry

Paige Moody

This year’s winner, Paige Moody of Arbor Enterprises (Pittsboro, N.C.), was recognized for her enthusiasm for entrepreneurship; and devoting over 35 years of service to the green industry as a landscape business owner and operator. As a previous member on the NCNLA Board of Directors, Moody has shown leadership and commitment as a North Carolina Landscape and Irrigation Contractor, Certified Plant Professional and certified professional in stormwater management.

Grower of the Year

Established in 1994, NCNLA’s Grower of the Year is an individual exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the management or ownership of a field or container nursery in North Carolina — or other states where that operation may be located. In addition, operators exhibit leadership in the nursery industry through participation in local, regional, state and national organizations.

Established in 1972, and named for the founder of Apex Nurseries, the D.S. Copeland Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a candidate working directly in the nursery industry – educators and allied industry members are not eligible.

David Goodson

David Goodson of Goodson & Associates (Wake Forest, N.C.) was honored as the recipient of the D.S. Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016. Goodson was recognized for his 20 years of service and dedication to the green industry, selling for growers across the country. He has served the industry as an active member of multiple industry associations including: NCNLA, VNLA, MNLA and GIC. David embodies great leadership skills, mentors many of the up and coming professionals in our industry and is always willing to share his vast knowledge both professionally and personally.

NCNLA Honorary Member

NCNLA Honorary Members are selected by the NCNLA Board of Directors in recognition for lifetime contribution or achievement to/in the industry.

Morris Newlin

Morris Newlin of New Garden Nursery & Landscape (Greensboro, N.C.) was recognized with an Honorary NCNLA Membership in 2016 for his dedication and service to the green industry since the beginnings of his family’s business in their own backyard in the late 1960s. Newlin was recognized for his passion for plants and people, commitment to the core principles of responsible corporate citizenship, hiring and retaining inspired employees and, most importantly, delivering exceptional customer service. A long time leader in the industry, he has served as an active member on various industry organizations, such as NCNLA, NCGIC and American Hort.