Beacon Award

On November 16, 2010, MLP presented its prestigious Beacon Award to a very deserving member. Jon Ciffolillo, MCLP of Greenscape, Inc. in Taunton, MA was the recipient. The Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals' newly elected president, Gary Chase, MCLP, presented Jon with the award. The following are excerpts from Gary's presentation given that evening:

It is an honor for me to present our 2010 Beacon Award. The Beacon Award is the highest honor the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals bestows on an individual. It is given to a person whose actions serve as a guide and a challenge to other members in the landscape contracting profession.

This year's winner is one of the most visible and active participants in all things that are land- scape. I consider him a true leader of the industry, one who has made a personal commitment to improve how we all make our living for he believes in the theory that "a high tide will raise all boats." He is a strong advocate for mentoring new members to the organization and in the industry and is always willing to share his vast accumulated knowledge.

This year's recipient of the Beacon Award is Jon Ciffolillo, Vice President of Business Develop- ment for Greenscape, Inc., one of the leading landscape companies in the New England market. Jon's landscape career started like a lot of our members' careers, out in the field behind a pick and shovel in the trenches during the early days of Greenscape. He was their first laborer and landscape foreman, learning how to get things done from the ground up. Armed with a BA degree in Economics from UMass, Jon's strengths in operational management were critical in the developmental years of Greenscape. His career progressed from operations manager to Vice President of Business Development — a position he has held since 1996. Today, Greenscape is a multi-million dollar company specializing in landscape management & development and it employs more than 250 people in branches covering from Maine to Virginia.

But it is not what he has done for Greenscape that has led him to this Beacon Award, but rather what he has done for all of us in the landscape community. I first met Jon in 1997 when we both took our MCLP exams and to both of our surprise, we passed! Later on, as I got to know Jon better I found out that we shared the same common thought or fear: "I will do whatever it takes to keep up my MCLP credits because I never want to take that test again!" I think this fear of the test was instrumental in getting Jon involved in the MCLP Committee, which he joined in 2000 and chaired in 2004. I served with Jon on the committee where he was a key contributor in the first major rewrite, bringing Mike Davidsohn and the UMass team on Board, but he always campaigned to keep the program based on real issues, and he fought to keep the test relevant and a true indicator of a landscaper's professionalism.

From the MCLP Board, Jon joined the Board of Directors, which he chaired for a two-year term. In our meetings, I would always get a kick out of Jon. He would sit back like he wasn't paying attention, interrupt the conversation and usually preface his comment with a, "I might be a little slow, but...." or something to that effect and come out with a brilliant idea time and time again. Jon has also been heavily involved representing MLP within the New England Grows organization. He was chairman of the 2010 show, and just re-upped for another four-year term on their board of directors.

On a personal note, Jon has three children — Waverly, Kadison and Garison — and is stepfather to his wife Julie's two children: Meghan and Matt. With what little free time he has, he enjoys boating, skiing and golf. He is also into cycling and recently participated in the Pan Am Challenge and he is an experienced tri-athlete.

I would like to quote Jon's brother, and business partner, Joe: "Greenscape would not be the company it is today if it were not for Jon's effort, leadership and wisdom. The company owes the lion's share of its success to Jon. We are all proud and grateful to have him on our team."

Personally, I would have to say the same thing about Jon and his involvement with MLP and our industry as a whole. "We are all proud and grateful to have him on our team!" And now I'd like to introduce the 2010 Beacon Award Recipient.... Jon Ciffolillo

Past recipients:

2009 - Dave Rykbost, MCLP
2008 - Michael Davidsohn, MCLP
2007 - Rudy Piantedosi, MCLP
2006 - John Filias, MCLP
2005 - Mike Lueders, MCA, MCLP
2004 - Dan Foley, MCLP
2003 - Virginia Wood
2002 - Roger Cook, MCA, MCLP
2001 - Owen Regan