THE LEADING EDGE
T H E E M P L O Y E E N E W S L E T T E R O F M I C H A E L H A T C H E R & A S S O C I A T E S A N D I T S S U B S I D I A R I E S
Tips to reduce exposure to poisonous plants
By josh wilder steff managerCompared to the general population, workers in our industry face a higher risk of coming in contact with poisonous plants, especially during summer months
According to OSHA, approximately 85 percent of the population develops an allergy if exposed to poison oak or poison ivy The resulting painful reactions can last weeks Simple practices can reduce the risk of exposure
Who is at risk of having a reaction to poisonous plants?
• Everyone You can develop an allergy at any time and especially after repeated exposure Just because you haven’t had a reaction in the past doesn’t mean you won’t
How can you recognize poisonous plants?
• Poison ivy is a vine and poison oak is a shrub, but the leaves of both plants grow in clusters of three
What are the typical symptoms of allergic reactions?
• Poison ivy/oak reactions are usually skin rashes that show up six hours to two weeks after contact A rash can develop months later if you come in contact with oil from the plants on tools, equipment, clothing, or shoes
Itching, redness, a burning feeling, swelling, and blisters are common at the site of the rash
What can be done to reduce exposure or having a reaction?
• Wear a hat, gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants
Tuck pant legs into socks or boots. Remove and wash clothing immediately after work
• Don’t burn poison ivy/oak Inhaling the smoke can create a rash on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and severe reactions even in people far downwind.
What if you are exposed to a poisonous plant?
• Take off clothing that might have come into contact with the
plants
• Thoroughly wash skin with soap and cool water as soon as
possible
• Apply rubbing alcohol to skin within 30 minutes of exposure
• Treat reactions with an oral and/or topical antihistamine
A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 | V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 6 T H E L E A D I N G E D G E | P A G E 2
A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 Editor GINNY
Marketing and Communications Specialist 901-664-8720 ginnys@hatcherlandscape com Website www hatcherlandscape com Careers Follow us @hatcherlandscape @hatchlandscape @hatchlandscape linkedin com/michaelhatcher-&-associates-inc THE LEADING EDGE
GINNY SHIKLE
SHIKLE
Michael Hatcher & Associates is a proud member of ON THE COVER Senior Account Manager Alex Moore of Commercial Maintenance poses for a selfie with a bass he caught in the pond at The Landscape Center Fishing is open to all Company employees and is catch and release only PHOTO BY ALEX MOORE SAFETY 101
Scan the QR code to see our current open positions
2, Issue 6
Volume
Poison ivy and poison oak leaves grow in clusters of three. Reactions are usually skin rashes that show up six hours to two weeks after contact.
Company’s core values determine wins, losses
By ginny shikle marketing and communications specialist
Our CEO Russ Sneed recently held three summit meetings that focused on the Company’s core values: Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence
“These are the top three priorities of our Company,” Russ told team members assembled during the breakfast meetings, which were held Aug 8-10 at The Landscape Center “How do we know if we are winning or losing? It’s by living by our core values ”
As he spoke to each group from Commercial Construction, Commercial Maintenance, and Lawn Care, Russ called attention to the sign on the Training Room wall that lists the nine winning behaviors that go along with our core values: Tell the Truth; Do the Next Right Thing; Love, Respect and Protect; Positive Can-Do Attitude; Coach and Be Coached; Celebrate and Have Fun; Expect to Win; Own Your Outcomes; and Deliver on Commitments
He added that two related concepts are also important for everyone to
DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING
in mind as we work toward ss, both personally and ssionally
an control our attitude and our , which this room embodies and very well,” he said “If you don’t hear anything else today, if you and I operate every day with integrity, teamwork, and excellence, I can guarantee you will be successful This can change your life ”
TELL THE TRUTH A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 | V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 6 T H E L E A D I N G E D G E | P A G E 3
From left, Fred Lester, Senior Crew Leader in Commercial Maintenance; Elijah Cato, Training Lead at Master Lawn; and David Ramirez, Crew Member in Commercial Maintenance, were all
GINNY SHIKLE
GINNY SHIKLE GINNY SHIKLE recently Caught Being Kind. To nominate a teammate for this recognition program, email ginnys@hatcherlandscape.com. We’d love to acknowledge their act of kindness.
“The simp “The how Integ and cultu we are living in a culture of a winning team ”
RUSS SNEED, CEO
If you and I operate every day with integrity, teamwork, and excellence, I can guarantee you will be successful This can change your life
Showing our Team big love on Fry-Day
We show appreciation to our incredibly hardworking crew members and technicians on a regular basis. Oftentimes that’s with food, and twice this month The Fry Guy did the cooking
This amazing Memphis food truck visited our Master Lawn location Aug 17, and on Aug 30 The Fry Guy served up fries loaded with flavor at our Landscape Center
It’s just another way we promote a positive and fun working environment where our team members feel valued and cared for
Thanks to our Fun Committee for organizing this awesome event, and a big shoutout to The Fry Guy for the seriously delicious eats!
By Ginny Shikle, Marketing and Communications Specialist GINNY SHIKLECELEBRATE AND HAVE FUN A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 | V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 6 T H E L E A D I N G E D G E | P A G E 4
From left, Kevin Aguilar, Roel Verdugo, Juvenal Juarez, and Erik Herbert of Commercial Construction
LUPE BOWNES
STARLING
From left, Treva Hughes, Angie Olive, Paula Graves, Deanne Marshall, and Brooke Johnson of Master Lawn
AUSTIN
TREVA HUGHES
Austin Woods of Master Lawn
CHRIS BRUNO
The Fry Guy visited Master Lawn Headquarters on Aug 17
If you have ideas for the Fun Committee, submit them by scanning this QR code:
CELEBRATE
A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 | V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 6 T H E L E A D I N G E D G E | P A G E 5
AND HAVE FUN
LUPE BOWNES
From left, Gustavo Granados, Marcos Perez, Sergio Garcia, and Brandon Aguilar of Commercial Maintenance.
TREVA HUGHES
From left, Davey Hooper, Leon Lewis, Daniel Woods, and Chris Thomas of Master Lawn.
GINNY SHIKLE Michael Still of Commercial Construction.
LUPE BOWNES
LUPE BOWNES
Photo at left, Jesse Brown, left, and Micheal Clark of Master Lawn.
Photo at right, Will Batson, left, and Carlos Galeas of Commercial Maintenance.
The Fry Guy was recommended by Michael Still of Commercial Construction, who made the suggestion at the Q3 Summit Meeting Thanks, Michael!
GINNY SHIKLE
From left, Deanna Crum, Nick Gardner, and Jay Whitfield line up for fries.
POSITIVE, CAN-DO ATTITUDE
August spotlight shines on Esteban Mendoza
There’s more to it of course, but a single trait sums up why Esteban Mendoza is our Team Member Spotlight winner for August
“In a word, attitude,” said Jeff Peterman, GM of Construction Operations “He brings the same great attitude day in and day out Once he understands the task, he is all about getting it accomplished ”
Esteban has worked at Michael Hatcher & Associates at different times over the years since 2013, most recently as a Foreman in Commercial Construction
“He has found his niche as a valued foreman who can do both irrigation install and landscape installation,” Jeff said “He
is a little on the quiet side, but once he’s comfortable, his smile shows through. I love working with him because I know he is going to give his everything to get the job done ”
Esteban said our company culture makes the physical demands of the job worth it That includes fun things like bringing in food trucks as well as financial incentives for safety and attendance
“I feel happy about how much they give us,” he said. “Michael Hatcher & Associates is the best company ”
Congratulations, Esteban!
By Ginny Shikle, Marketing and SpecialistDELIVER ON COMMITMENTS
MHA wins NALP Silver Award of Excellence
The National Association of Landscape Professionals has awarded Michael Hatcher & Associates a Silver Award of Excellence for an erosion project completed earlier this year.
The project, which involved building a twotier retaining wall in an active drainage ditch, began Jan. 4 as an enhancement project for a Memphis gated community’s HOA, one of our Commercial Maintenance customers Our Commercial Construction crews completed the work on March 7 safely, efficiently, and within the estimated hours and materials
Stephen Shikle was Project Manager, Steve Tice was the Lead Supervisor, and Foremen were Enrique Vargas and Balvino Verdugo
The Company will receive a plaque from NALP in recognition of the award
By Ginny Shikle,A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 | V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 6 T H E L E A D I N G E D G E | P A G E 6
Communications
GINNY SHIKLE
Foreman Esteban Mendoza of Commercial Construction was recognized as the August Team Member Spotlight winner.
Marketing and Communications Specialist
GINNY SHIKLE Foreman Enrique Vargas and Lead Supervisor Steve Tice stand on the retaining wall they helped build to mitigate erosion in a Memphis subdivision.