THE LEADING EDGE
FIRESIDE CHATS
“Change is never accepted unless the end result is explained in the beginning ” –ANONYMOUS
During our Fireside Chats on January 23 (Memphis Branch) and February 6 (Huntsville Branch), I talked about the exciting growth ahead for Michael Hatcher & Associates, including plans to expand Master Lawn to Huntsville and to explore opportunities to extend our services into new markets in the Southeastern United States.
These changes call for us to shape an organizational structure that not only supports our current success but also allows us to grow effectively across multiple locations. Growing pains are part of the process, but these are a normal sign of progress and signal the new adventures and opportunities ahead of us!
We have several other strategic priorities for 2025: continuing to invest in technology, fleet, and equipment; earning the Employer of Choice designation; enhancing our focus on serving our customers; and dominating the industry’s Top 100 We will also remain committed to living out our Core Values and Winning Behaviors in all that we do
Your dedication makes this possible, and we ’ re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way
Expect to Win!
RUSS SNEED Chief Executive Officer
ext. 300 rlandscape.com
@hatcherlandscapememphis
@hatchlandscape mem @hatcherlandscapehsv @hatchlandscape hsv (Formerly Twitter)
@hatchlandscape
linkedin com/michaelhatcher-&-associates
ON THE COVER
Commercial Construction crew member Mario Cervantas (Memphis Branch) celebrates being named a Rising Star during the Q4 Show Up For Safety awards on January 23 PHOTO BY MATT WYATT / MATT WYATT MEDIA
SAFETY BEHAVIORS
Falls leading cause of injuries, deaths
Falls are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in our industry Falls, slips, and trips were the second leading cause of fatalities among landscaping-services workers in 2012 (federal OSHA Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries) Many falls involve ladders, which are used for a variety of tasks.
Even a fall from a relatively low height on a ladder can result in painful and permanent injuries that could prevent you from working Common mistakes leading to ladder accidents include using poorly maintained ladders positioning ladders incorrectly, and overreaching Today, we’ll talk about ways to prevent ladder accidents
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT BEFORE CLIMBING A LADDER?
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots with nonslip soles, and make sure your shoes are not greasy, muddy, or wet
• Check wooden ladders before each use for cracks, rot, splinters, broken rungs loose joints and bolts and hardware in poor condition
• Inspect metal ladders before each use for sharp edges, loose joints and bolts, and cracks
• Ensure hooks locks and ropes on extension ladders are in good condition
• Bring damaged ladders to your supervisor’s attention and tag them with Danger–Do Not Use signage
• Position ladders on stable level surfaces If you did not place the ladder, double check to ensure it has a secure footing
Use the 1:4 ratio rule – the base of the ladder should be 1 foot from the wall or have support for every 4 feet of vertical extension To check this quickly, stand with your feet at the base of the ladder and extend your arms straight out Your fingers should just touch a ladder rung Check for insect or bird nests under eaves before positioning a ladder against a house or other structure.
WHAT ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE AND THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE USING LADDERS?
Secure side rails at the top of the ladder to a rigid support The top of the two rails should be supported equally
Commercial Construction crew members follow safe ladder practices, including a spotter, at a jobsite in Germantown, Tennessee. The extension ladder is also securely tied at the top.
Keep ladders as far as possible from electrical lines Use wood or fiberglass ladders and be extremely cautious if work must be done near electrical lines Never use a metal ladder near power lines
• Hold on with both hands when going up or down a ladder Carry tools in a tool belt If you need supplies or materials raise or lower them with a rope and bucket Keep at least one hand on the ladder at all times Face the ladder when ascending or descending
MEET RYAN KALER
Ryan Kaler is right at home at Michael Hatcher & Associates.
“I truly appreciate the family atmosphere and the hard work and the care and the teamwork that is involved here, said Ryan, who started as our Director of Safety Fleet & Facilities on January 6 and is a member of CHRO Willie Shepherd’s team “And the culture, it s hardworking, and at the same time it cares about the people that are doing the work You can coach, and you can celebrate ”
Also in charge of training Ryan is responsible for company safety, equipment, vehicles, and facilities at all our locations His primary duty is to build manage and maintain a safety-first culture within all company divisions, which he is used to
“I have spent the last 21 years managing fleets of various sizes and equipment at global to regional companies, and I have spent over 10 years building and maintaining
safety programs for shop an field personnel at three different companies, said Ryan whose resume includ Pepsi, Carrier, Terminix, and ARS/Rescue Rooter
Even though this is his first foray into landscaping he’s excited to learn and is confident his training will carry over
“The power ’ s not in the product, it’s in the process, ” said
We re glad to have you on o Team Ryan!
– Ginny Shikle Marketing and Communications Specialist
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Ryan Kaler s primary duty is to build, mana and maintain a safety first culture within all company divisions
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WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO?
• Use a ladder when working alone.
• Set up a ladder on a walkway or in a doorway unless it is locked blocked or guarded
• Burden the ladder with more weight than it is designed to support If you are unsure of the weight limits, ask a supervisor
Ryan Kaler discusses Safety Behaviors at th Huntsville Branch on March 5
Allow more than one person on a ladder at a time
• Use a defective ladder.
• Lean a ladder against a movable object
• Overreach Keep your belt buckle between the ladder’s rails If something is out of reach, climb down and move the ladder
• Put one foot on the ladder and the other on an adjacent surface or object Stand on a ladder’s braces, extension arms, or paint shelf
• Use a ladder in a horizontal position as a bridge or scaffold
• Climb higher than the third rung from the top
• Use a ladder in windy conditions
– Ryan Kaler Director of Safety, Fleet & Facilities (adapted from the National Association of Landscape Professionals)
Crews clear snow at a Memphis property on February 19
Members of the Huntsville Branch gather for a team photo in the snow on January 10
Jordan Martin of Master Lawn fills a spreader with ice melt before treating a property during the February snow event
A before-and-after depiction created in CompanyCam shows a helipad being cleared at a hospital in Arlington Tennessee on January 10
John Carpenter of Master Lawn and a teammate clear snow from the sidewalks at a property in Olive Branch, Mississippi, during the January snow event
CELEBRATE & HAVE FUN
HUNTSVILLE BRANCH
MHA expands with Grounds Control assets
BY GINNY SHIKLE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
In March, Michael Hatcher & Associate acquired certain assets of Grounds Con a well-established landscape provider Huntsville This strategic move will significantly expand Hatcher’s footprin the region, reinforcing the company ’ s commitment to providing exceptiona landscape services to customers in No Alabama
“We are excited to welcome Frank and Grounds Control of Huntsville team to Hatcher family,” CEO Russ Sneed said partnership expands our reach in the Rocket City further brings together tw talented teams with a shared commit to excellence, and provides more opportunities for our employees and customers Grounds Control has built a strong Huntsville foundation for many years, and we look forward to continui together the legacy that the Tortorigi family started ”
offices on Spacegate Drive Grounds Control will retain ownership of its construction site work business and operate it separately
Grounds Control was founded in 1990 by Frank Tortorigi Jr , a third-generation landscape professional who served as company President since inception He will stay on in an upper management role and expressed his confidence in the acquisition: This acquisition aligns with our values and ensures that our employees customers and vendors will benefit I’m excited for what the future holds ”
The integration process began immediately with Hatcher’s HR Team onboarding over 50 of Grounds Control’s landscaping employees on March 4 Commercial Maintenance will operate from the Huntsville Branch s Blake Bottom Road facility while Commercial Construction will be based at the former Grounds Control
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CEO Russ Sneed, left, shakes hands with Frank Tortorigi Jr after the acquisition was formally announced to employees on March 4
Huntsville Branch Field Operations Manager Wesley Palmer discusses string trimmers with Commercial Maintenance crew members during equipment training on March 6.
Head of Commercial Accounts John-Paul Tortorigi, far right, launches Commercial Construction crews from the Spacegate Drive location of the Huntsville Branch on March 5 3
EXPECT TO WIN
Master La
BY GINNY SHIKLE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Master Lawn has expanded its operations to Huntsville, Alabama A division of Michael Hatcher & Associates, Master Lawn will operate out of Hatcher Landscape’s Huntsville Branch at 500 Blake Bottom Road NW, Building B This expansion follows Hatcher’s move into the Huntsville market a year ago and strengthens the company ’ s presence in the region
With a well-established reputation in North Mississippi and the Greater Memphis Area, Master Lawn has decades of expertise in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant lawns. Expanding to Huntsville allows the company to serve a growing market with the same high standards of service and customer care
Huntsville is a natural next step for Master Lawn ” said Chris Bruno, Master Lawn’s General Manager of Lawn Care “We’ve seen strong demand for professional lawn care services in this market and we ’ re ready to provide homeowners and businesses with the solutions they need to keep their lawns healthy year-round
An experienced team will lead the Huntsville operation focusing on delivering tailored lawn care services to residential
and commercial customers
“In Huntsville, we offer a full range of lawn care services with the same commitment to excellence that we are known for in the North Mississippi and Memphis markets,” said Davey Hooper, Senior Operations
Manager at Master Lawn With our dedicated team and proven approach, we look forward to serving the community.”
Master Lawn’s services include weed control, fertilization, and other treatments to enhance
turf health The company offers a variety of services, including a tree and shrub program, liquid and core aeration mosquito control grub control, fire ant treatment, disease control, and fescue overseeding.
Senior Lawn Technician Wyatt Webb, left, and Service Manager Elijah Cato pose with a Master Lawn yard stake at the Huntsville Branch.
EXCELLENCE
Company announces multiple promotions
Six members of our Lawn Care Division have been promoted Hunter McCraw, Tony Pearce, Mason Robinson, Shannon Smith, Tim Spina, and Wyatt Webb are now Senior Lawn Technicians
“Each of these team members has consistently embodied the Master Lawn culture showcasing a commitment to excellence in their work,” said Davey Hooper, Senior Operations Manager for Master Lawn “They show up every day with a positive attitude, ready to tackle any challenges that come their way Their dedication to going above and beyond for our customers and the company has not gone unnoticed, and we are excited to recognize their hard work and leadership potential ”
Tim has been with the company since May 2021, followed by Shannon in August 2021 Wyatt was hired in January 2023, while Hunter signed on in Apr and Tony joined in September 20
Congratulations,
Nick Gardner h promoted to Sen Developer at Mic & Associates
Nick joined the c landscape comp 2022 as a Busine in Commercial M
I really enjoy the do in the sense t ends, Nick said Its like grass
growing, properties changing, and our company moving forward Great people trying to
do the next right thing I like the vision that we have of going places that we can’t even imagine!”
Nick will continue to report to Kelly Ogden, General Manager of Sales, and work alongside Ron Bobal, Vice President of Commercial Sales, to grow our business in the Memphis market
Congratulations, Nick!
Gavin Ploch has been promoted to Senior Mechanic at the Memphis Branch of Michael Hatcher & Associates
“August 16 will mark my fourth year here, and I started tinkering on equipment when I was 10 and loved it ever since,” said Gavin a self-taught bers ing arly age
Mowers are still his favorite and he enjoys wearing the Hatcher uniform.
“I love the teamwork and employees, and there is always something to be worked on, ” he said “Being a Senior Mechanic is something new to look forward to and I feel like I will learn more ”
Gavin reports to Director of Safety, Fleet & Facilities Ryan
Kaler and works shoulder-toshoulder with Senior Mechanic Anthony Cox and mechanics Charles Brown and JJ Crum
“I feel like we have a great team, he said
Congratulations, Gavin!
Eli Michael has transferred to the Huntsville Branch, where he has been promoted to Commercial Maintenance Operations Manager
strengthening our team, exciting new positions frequently unfold Hard work is noticed here and I believe that there is a spot at the top for anyone willing to put in the effort ”
“The opportunity to work in a branch in a new market is exciting because it gives me the ability to learn the ins and outs of a new city and make connections with clients I would have never otherwise gotten to meet, said Eli, who joined the company s Memphis Branch in February 2024 as a Field Operations Manager
His promotion is another success story of how Hatcher Landscape advances the careers of those who put in the work
“Hatcher is a great place to be for anyone aspiring to grow professionally ” Eli said “As we continue growing and
Eli will report directly to Jeff Peterman, General Manager of Operations In Huntsville, he will work closely with Branch Manager Garrett Griffith and FOMs Andrew Burns, Collen Meyers, and Wesley Palmer to ensure the expert maintenance of our customers’ properties
Jeff said he has nothing but respect for Eli
“We recognized a huge amount of potential in him and provided a great opportunity for his young career, ” he said It’s always rewarding and humbling at the same time to see plans, opportunities, and career growth all fit together in a complex puzzle We are excited for what’s next in Huntsville!”
Congratulations, Eli!
– Ginny Shikle Marketing and Communications Specialist
Mason Robinson, from left, Tim Spina, Hunter McCraw, Tony Pearce, Wyatt Webb, and Shannon Smith were recently promoted to Senior Lawn Technicians at Master Lawn.
NICK GARDNER
ELI MICHAEL
GAVIN PLOCH