Jesus  “Chuy” Medrano, founding member and immediate past president of the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA), was selected as one of 20 winners of the 2014 Hispanicize Positive Impact Award, putting him in the running to be named Positive Impact Person of the Year.

The award will be presented during the Positive Impact Awards Gala, held April 3 at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami (Florida). The recognition honors the owner of CoCal Landscape‘s commitment to the development of his community at home and abroad. Among his many initiatives, Medrano has dedicated himself to the advancement of Hispanic workers in the landscaping and lawn care industry by providing educational initiatives and training programs that help them achieve supervisory and managerial positions.

“Having come to this country as an immigrant and raised children of my own, I understand the difficulties that many Hispanics in this country face to get ahead,” he said. “It has always been my mission to help those achieve what I have achieved.”

In addition to his work in the industry, Medrano supports his local community of Denver by donating resources and materials for fundraisers and medical centers while also giving back to his hometown of Chihuahua, Mexico, by supporting athletic programs and donating money, clothing and computers to an orphanage.

“Chuy Medrano is truly a credit to our industry. He not only helps his employees get ahead but also is supportive of former employees that leave to start their own companies,” said Ralph Egües, executive director of the NHLA. “In addition to being a generous donor to a variety of causes and actively volunteering, Chuy has established a giving culture at CoCal that encourages his employees to do the same. He is a truly special leader, is very supportive of NHLA members across the country and is a model for others to follow. He is a worthy recipient of the Hispanicize Positive Impact Award and deserving of recognition as Person of the Year.”

Medrano also is a founding member of Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF), which provides scholarships annually to college students majoring in horticulture, landscape design and other areas of study related to the landscape industry.

To vote for Medrano as Positive Impact Person of the Year, visit hispzpia.com.