Texas Nursery & Landscape Association
Profile
Name: Estela Garcia-Perez
Company:
Fairway Landscape & Nursery, Inc.
City: San Antonio
TNLA Region: I
TNLA Business Category: Landscape
Current professional position/title: VP Business Development/Owner
Length of time at this position: Aug. 2003
TNLA Member since (include TAN and/or TALC membership also): 2017
Educational and/or industry background:
I grew up in the industry. As a young girl I would help my parents replant, assist with cuttings, watering and of course a lot of running and playing in the grass fields that would later be our sod fields. I went to college to obtain my business degree so I could help my family run our now 52 year old business. I have been surrounded by the Green Industry since I was 3 years old.
List Board/Committee/Region service to TNLA (include TAN and/or TALC service also):
Current TNLA State Board of Directors, Director-at-Large
Previous Region I Board member
Why are you involved in TNLA?
I’m involved with TNLA because I want to stay connected with people and companies in my industry. I have also seen a change in industry businesses; the younger generation is not wanting to get/stay involved. I would love to get the millennials involved and engaged. Having them continue the legacy their family members started. The industry is growing in the sense that there are so many advanced ways of doing things now. I want to stay abreast of those with better and cost-effective ways.
Thoughts on Green Industry (past, present, and/or future):
My company is a small, minority owned business and I enjoy helping other small businesses thrive and succeed. I believe if we give each other a helping hand we can all succeed! Growers are not always seen as a big market and millennials are looking for those “lucrative” jobs but if you stop and think for a minute everyone can realize that we will always need trees and plants. It is an industry that will never go away. Beautifying a home or business is always a selling point and just a way to make it all look better.
Additional comments regarding position you are nominated for (Optional):
As a 50-year-old woman in the Green Industry I feel like I have a drive and energy behind everything I do. I believe I am an asset to any organization I am a part of, and I always follow through with what I say I will do. I have met some wonderful people at TNLA and would love to continue on the board to be able to make a difference!