The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA), the trade association for the professional development of Hispanics in the U.S. landscape industry, named its new Board of Directors for the 2015-2016 term.

The NHLA chose its leadership to reflect the diversity of the landscape industry, including both Hispanic and non-Hispanic members. This year’s board of officers includes:

• President Juan Torres, Founder of Next Step Solutions (East Haven, Conn.)
• President-Elect Pam Berrios, president of Alexandria Lawn Service (Alexandria, Va.)
• Secretary Jose Arroyo, president of Jose’s Landscaping (Lyman, S.C.)
• Treasurer Domenic Chiarella, 7 of 7 Best Business & Life Strategies (Southbury, Conn.)
• Immediate Past-President Raúl Berrios, principal of Rulyscapes, (Centreville, Va.)

Juan Torres, the newly elected NHLA president, is the founder of Next Step Solutions, an operations consulting firm in East Haven, Conn. 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.

“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 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 of Hispanics in our industry.”

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, N.C.);
• Omar Cordero of LC Landscape (Denver, Colo.);
• Josh Denison of Denison Landscaping Inc. (Fort Washington, Md.);
• Rafael Díaz of Diaz Group, LLC (Chicago, Ill.);
• Ivan Giraldo of Clean Scapes Landscaping (Austin, Texas);
• MJ Macias of Gachina Landscape Management (Menlo Park, Calif.);
• Mari Medrano Mejia of CoCal Landscape (Denver, Colo.);
• Ken Taylor of John Deere (Cary, N.C.); and
• William H. Walton III of Honda Power Equipment (Alpharetta, Ga.).

The NHLA advocates on behalf of Hispanics in the industry, creates training and educational programs, and offers members resources aimed at promoting the upward mobility of the Hispanic workforce. The organization also works on bridging the cultural gap between those in leadership position and their Hispanic laborers, it says.