Lawn Care Pro: Tom Shotzbarger
1 Mar, 2008 By: James E. Guyette Landscape ManagementGeneral manager, Tomlinson Bomberger Lawn Care & Landscape Inc.
When Tom Shotzbarger interviews job applicants, "I like to hire 'capital D' Doers – they get the job done and deliver the results."
 |
He poses a vexing problem to each candidate: "When given a hypothetical challenge, they have to be able to think on their feet and respond with one or more potential solutions to solve the problem," says Shotzbarger, general manager at Tomlinson Bomberger Lawn Care & Landscape Inc., Lancaster, PA.
"People who quickly convert problems and challenges into solutions exhibit a capacity to think and speak logically and proactively. This demonstrates an ability to assess challenges, move quickly to identify potential solutions and verbally express their proactive ability to achieve positive results," Shotzbarger says.
When on the job at Tomlinson Bomberger you're known as a co-worker, not an employee, and each is encouraged to reach for higher levels of professional and personal achievement. A firm believer in the benefits of ongoing education, Shotzbarger has been pursuing excellence – and generously sharing what he learns with others – throughout a distinguished career as a business manager, arboricultural consultant, horticulturist, trainer and conference speaker.
"I've been dedicated to the green industry since 1973," says Shotzbarger, 53, who started mowing lawns during the summer between high school and college. He went on to supervise several crews, graduating to sales and then sales manager, eagerly acquiring other skills along the way, such as implementing lawn care and tree care divisions at two different companies prior to assuming the GM spot at Tomlinson Bomberger in 2001. (He currently oversees 85 to 90 co-workers at the 27-year-old firm.)
"I've always been strong on education. When I started to sell in the green industry I read about 20 books on selling. When I started being a manager I read books and took courses on management," Shotzbarger recounts, noting how a "broad-based knowledge" has proven to be beneficial on several fronts.
"I have pretty good crossover skills on both lawn care and tree care," he explains. "I have all my pesticide licensing, and I want to promote certification for anyone in the green industry. You become more valuable to your employer," and in return you gain increased personal and professional satisfaction, he believes.
Invitations to conduct industry lectures keep coming in, and Shotzbarger has willingly taken the lead in chairing the Renewal & Remembrance Committee for the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). More than 400 volunteers take part in enhancing the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and Historic Congressional Cemetery.
"I've been involved with this for a number of years dating back to PLCAA, before PLCAA and ALCA joined forces."
While much of the onsite work is done on a Monday, Shotzbarger and a cadre of "champions" who help with preparation and supervision arrive on the previous Thursday, toiling without a hint of complaint throughout the weekend.
Shotzbarger views the exhausting endeavor as "an opportunity to give back to a revered and holy site and to give back to our veterans who fight for our freedom."
— The author is a freelance writer in Newbury, OH. Contact him at
jimguyette2004@yahoo.com.
Editors note: This is the first in a series of profiles highlighting lawn care professionals. In addition to being top-notch professionals they also give of themselves to their communities and the industry. If you know someone worthy of recognition, e-mail us at djacobs@questex.com, and tell us why.
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.