Lifetime Leadership Award

The Lifetime Leadership Award is presented to a member of NALP who has dedicated his/her life to the landscape and lawn care industry. He/she has demonstrated leadership and service, as well as made a commitment to both the industry and NALP. Eligible nominees must be active members of the National Association of Landscape Professionals and have been a part of the industry for a minimum of 25 years.

The Lifetime Leadership Recipient will be recognized at ELEVATE.

Nominations for the 2026 Lifetime Leadership Award are now closed.

 The award recipient will be announced at ELEVATE.


2025 Lifetime Leadership Award Recipient

Chuy Medrano, CoCal Landscape Services, Inc.


Previous Lifetime Leadership Recipients 

 
 
2024 — Jeff Buhler


 
 
2023 — Mike Rorie


 
 
2022 — Kevin Kehoe


 
 
2021 — Bruce Wilson


 
 
2020 — Jon Cundiff


 
 
2019 — Jerry Grossi


 
 
2018 — Frank Mariani


 
 
2017 — Jim McCutcheon


 
 
2016 — Phil Allen


 
 
2015 — Dan Foley


 
 
2014 — Norman Goldenberg

 



 
 
2012 — David Snodgrass


 
 
2011 — John Gibson


 
 
2010 — Chris Kujawa


 
 
 2009 — Rick Doesburg 


 
 
2008 — Phil Fogarty


 
 
2007 — Eldon Dyk


 
 
2006 — Kurt Kluznik


 
 
2005 — Debra Holder


 
 
 2004 — Ronald Damgaard


 
 
2003 — Richard Ott


 
 
2002 — David Minor


 
 
 2001 — J. Landon Reeve, IV


 
 
2000 — William Thornton, Jr.


 
 
1999 — Joe D. Carpenter


 
 
1998 — Gary Thornton


 
 
1997 — Rodney Bailey


 
 
1996 — Thomas Garber


 
 
1995 — Ronald Kujawa


 
 
1994 — Bruce Hunt


 
 
1993 — Thomas Lied