THE LEADING EDGE
THANK YOU
There is a time for everything ...
ECCLESIASTES3:1
On October 17, we celebrated not just a milestone for Michael Hatcher & Associates but also the incredible journey our employees have taken with us since our founding in 1986
Not only were we proud to announce our new investor partnership with Walnut Grove Capital Partners, a local, private investment group, but we also wanted to express our heartfelt appreciation for your contributions to our growth and success over the years
To celebrate this milestone and our future opportunities together, we were honored to give eligible employees – more than 200 in all – a financial award based on your combined 500-plus years of service!
Thank you for all that you do for our Team and our customers, and here’s to our next 38 years together!
Expect to Win!
RUSS SNEED Chief Executive Officer
MICHAEL HATCHER Founder
CONTACT US
THE LEADING EDGE
8365 Center Hill Road Olive Branch MS 38654
901-755-3207 hatcherlandscape.com
EDITOR
GINNY SHIKLE
Marketing and Communications Specialist 901-664-8720 ginnys@hatcherlandscape.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Tiffany Burse, Garrett Griffith, Rachel Nelson, Jacqueline Savoy/Jacqueline Savoy Photography, Josh Wilder, Matt Wyatt/Matt Wyatt Media
FOLLOW US
@hatcherlandscapememphis
@hatchlandscape mem @hatcherlandscapehsv @hatchlandscape hsv
(Formerly Twitter)
@hatchlandscape
linkedin com/michaelhatcher-&-associates-inc
ON THE COVER
Founder Michael Hatcher celebrates with Commercial Maintenance Crew Leader Ronaldo Soto at the company ’ s Milestone Appreciation Awards on October 17 PHOTO BY JACQUELINE SAVOY / JACQUELINE SAVOY PHOTOGRAPHY
SAFETY 101
Simple steps to prevent workplace injuries
BY JOSH WILDER SAFETY MANAGER
Musculoskeletal disorders affect the muscles, nerves, and tendons, and accounted for more than one-third of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2012 (U S Bureau of Labor Statistics) Workers who sustained MSDs lost an average of 12 workdays Muscle strains, lower-back injuries, tendinitis, and rotator-cuff injuries are examples of musculoskeletal disorders Causes include repetitive motion heavy lifting and working from an awkward posture In our industry, tasks such as lifting and carrying, using tools, reaching, and bending can lead to musculoskeletal disorders most commonly sprains to the back, neck, and shoulders Fortunately there
are some simple steps you can take to prevent these injuries
WHAT CAN YOU DO BEFORE BEGINNING WORK TO HELP PREVENT INJURIES?
Exercise regularly to strengthen joints and muscles Being in good physical shape helps your body endure repetitive motions
• Stretch before work Here are some stretches that can help prevent injury:
Quads – While standing pull one leg back (heel to buttocks), keeping hip neutral Hold for 15 seconds.
Hamstrings – Place one foot in front with heel on ground and toes pointed upward
Press buttocks backward as you lean forward. You should feel a stretch in the back of your upper leg Hold for 15
seconds, repeat two times and then stretch the other leg
Hip flexors – Place one leg on a step or wall and lunge forward slightly while lifting the opposite arm
Back – Put your hands on your hips, place feet shoulderwidth apart and lean back Hold about 10 seconds and then repeat twice
WHAT ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE WORKING?
Keep your back straight when performing repetitive tasks.
• Whenever available use wheeled devices such as wheelbarrows, dollies, hand trucks, forklifts, and skid-steer loaders for carrying bulky and/or heavy loads
Wear the shoulder harness or strap for line trimmers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and
other equipment Adjust the strap to the best fit for you These devices are designed to take pressure off your back and arm and greatly reduce muscle fatigue and pulled muscles
• Stretch during breaks
• Properly lift and lower objects weighing 50 pounds or less
WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID DOING?
• Staying in the same position for a long time
• Twisting your back since this strains the spine Overextending your reach Lifting bulky loads.
• Lifting loads higher than your chest or tossing objects weighing more than 5 pounds
• Reaching forward, overhead, or behind your back when lifting or lowering objects
COACH AND BE COACHED
Learning, fun combine at Safety Rodeos
BY GINNY SHIKLE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Safety Rodeos were held in October at our Memphis and Huntsville branches This biannual event provides trainings on equipment and promotes safe practices for our team members
“The first goal is to come to work and go back home to the ones who love you every day ” CEO Russ Sneed said noting the connection to one of our Winning Behaviors: Love, Respect, and Protect.
Following safety briefings at each branch,, Commercial Construction, Commercial Maintenance, and Lawn Care personnel rotated through stations for demos of equipment including leaf blowers mowers aerators, skid-steers, chainsaws, and sod installers
After the training sessions, team members were treated to lunch
Sponsors for the Fall Safety Rodeo were Enterprise Fleet Management and Bradley Auto Glass
CELEBRATE AND HAVE FUN
BY TIFFANY BURSE HR ADMIN ASSISTANT
Open Enrollment for Health Benefits in 2025 will begin Thursday, December 5, 2024, and end at midnight Sunday December 15 2024
The Open Enrollment process is to elect coverage, waive coverage, or make any changes to existing coverage Even if you don t elect to have coverage every full-time employee MUST go through the Open Enrollment process
HR INSIGHTS
Health benefits Open Enrollment begins Dec. 5 DEC. 5-15
Collier Insurance representatives will be available on Thursday December 5, Friday, December 6, and Monday, December 9, to share important benefits information and answer your questions about the Open Enrollment process Please attend on your designated day Translators will be available
5 6
HUNTSVILLEBRANCH (CONSTRUCTION ANDMAINTENANCE)
THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2024 6 AM
WAREHOUSE - MEETING WILL BE BROADCAST FROM MEMPHIS BRANCH BOARDROOM
MEMPHISBRANCH (CONSTRUCTION)
FRIDAY, DEC 6, 2024 6 A.M. TRAINING ROOM (COLLIER AVAILABLE UNTIL 10 AM FOR ADMIN)
MEMPHISBRANCH (MAINTENANCE)
THURSDAY, DEC 5, 2024 6:30 A.M. TRAINING ROOM
MEMPHISBRANCH (IRRIGATION)
FRIDAY,DEC 6,2024 6:30A.M. TRAININGROOM (COLLIERAVAILABLE UNTIL10AM FORADMIN)
HEALTH BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT
9
MASTERLAWN
MONDAY, DEC 9, 2024 6:15 AM MASTER LAWN HQ (COLLIER AVAILABLE UNTIL 9 AM FOR ADMIN)
DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING
Recent Caught Being Kind recipients are, from left, Senior CM Crew Leader Fred Lester (Memphis Branch); Junior Estimator Colton Gidden (Memphis Branch); Operations Manager Kyle Williams (Huntsville Branch); Office/Facilities Manager Rachel Nelson (Huntsville Branch); Field Operations Managers Hayden Walsh, Christian Warren, Todd Willi and Eli Michael (Memphis Branch); and Senior FOM David Loyd (Memphis Branch) To nominate a teammate for Do the Next Right Thing, scan the QR code
EXPECT TO WIN: ROCKET CITY STYLE
Sept. 18 Grand Opening at Huntsville Branch
BY GINNY SHIKLE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Plans to expand Michael Hatcher & Associates to the Huntsville market became a reality in 2024 Operations began in late spring, and the new branch held its Grand Opening on September 18
“We are excited to put down roots in Huntsville, Founder Michael Hatcher said “Our focus on customer service and the highest standards of quality and safety have earned us one of the most respected names on the landscape scene in the Memphis Metropolitan Area We look forward to bringing that same level of skill and professionalism to our clients in
Huntsville Madison County and the surrounding areas in North Alabama ”
CEO Russ Sneed said the expansion is part of the company ’ s commitment to growth and a response to demand
“We recognize that Huntsville’s rapid economic growth driven by the presence of major technology and aerospace companies has created a demand for high-quality commercial landscaping services,” he said “We aim to meet this demand by bringing our expertise and resources to the Rocket City To support this expansion we are committed to hiring local talent and investing in the local economy ”
Garrett Griffith, previously employed by
the Penhall Company was introduced as Branch Manager of the Huntsville Office His team includes Operations Manager Kyle Williams Construction Supervisor Riley McMillan, Irrigation Supervisor Mike Powell Commercial Maintenance Business Developer Jeffery Guerin, and Office/Facilities Manager Rachel Nelson.
A ribbon cutting at the Grand Opening was sponsored by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Vendors who contributed to the event’s success were Bobcat of Huntsville, Keeling Supply Company Simplot SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Superior Irrigation and Landscape Supply.
HUNTSVILLE BRANCH GRAND OPENING
EXPECT TO WIN
From left, CHRO Willie Shepherd; Q3 Champion Fisher Wills, Lawn Care; Master Lawn GM Chris Bruno; Master Lawn Sr Operations Manager Davey Hooper; GM of Commercial Sales and Maintenance Operations Kelly Ogden; Q3 Champion Ronaldo Soto, Commercial Maintenance; GM of Commercial Construction Jeff Peterman; Q3 Champion Esteban Mendoza, Commercial Construction; and CEO Russ Sneed