Outgoing PLANET President Dan Foley.

Incoming PLANET President John Gibson, right, presents Foley with a gift to commemorate his leadership year.

John Gibson.

2006 Lifetime Leader Award Winner Kurt Kluznik.

LAKE LAS VEGAS, NV — It was all about people as the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) gathered here last week for the 2006 Executive Forum.

The Forum is the traditional time for officers from the previous year to hand the reins over to new people, and for awards and honors to be celebrated.

This year was no exception, as the first PLANET president, Dan Foley of D. Foley Landscape in Massachusetts, passed the gavel to incoming president John Gibson of Swingle Tree, Lawn & Landscape Care in Denver, CO.

"I would absolutely do this over again," Foley said. "I have met some of the best friends of my life here."

To celebrate his year in office, Gibson presented Foley with several tokens of appreciation, including a plaque and a few joke presents, like matching Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots championship banners.

When Gibson took the gavel in front of the group for the first time he credited his first mentor Tom Garber, along with his wife and family.

"Thanks for the opportunity to give back to the industry that's given so much to me," he said to the crowd.

Kluznik named Lifetime Leader

PLANET also lauded Kurt Kluznik, past ALCA president and founder of Ohio's Yardmaster, with its 2006 Lifetime Leader Award.

Last year's winner Debra Holder said, "Kurt has been a part of every aspect of this industry's initiatives. He is a strong proponent of the voice of the Green Industry to Congress."

In his years of involvement with industry associations, Kluznik was part of ALCA's first CLP certification class, and he served on ALCA and PLANET Board of Directors, the Crystal Ball Committee, and PLANET Trailblazers.

Additional honors

• PLANET honored platinum event sponsor Ariens/Gravely/Stens with the organization's Partner in Success Award.
• Philip Morris, USA's Richmond, VA, campus received the Landscape Contribution Award.
• Jim Martin of James Martin Associates was named a new AEF Ambassador.

2006 Leadership Team

• President: John Gibson, Swingle Tree, Lawn & Landscape Care
• President-elect: Peter Howe, Engledow Group
• Treasurer: Jason Cupp, Highland Outdoor
• Secretary: Bill Hildebolt, Nature's Select Premium Tree Services
• Immediate Past President: Dan Foley, D. Foley Landscape.

New Key Result Area Directors

• Membership Growth: Jennifer Lemcke, Weed Man USA/Turf Holdings
• Products & Services: Richard Wilbert, Robert Howard Associates
• Certification: Matt Triplett, Willamette Landscape Services
• Industry Development/Advocacy: David Snodgrass, Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers
• Marketing: Jeff Korhan, Treemendous Landscape Co.
• Business Development: Peter Korda, Scotts LawnService
• Leadership & Staff Development: Maria Candler, James River Grounds Management
• Green Industry Expo: Gerry McCarthy, Mac's Landscaping
• Government Affairs: Norman Goldenberg, The TruGreen Cos.

2006 Supplier Directors

• Ron Johnson, Syngenta Professional Products
• Ron Marcellus, Ariens Co.

Association Staff

Barbara Scheibe is the state & allied regional association director, and Tanya Tolpegin is interim chief executive officer.