"MLP meetings provide an enjoyable break from the day-to-day demands of work, as well as a chance to discuss the bigger issues that affect our industry and bottom line."

Vlasta Benedict, MCLP
North Reading, MA

Massachusetts Association of Landscape
Professionals Committees

MLP elevates the professional standards and business success of its members through education, certification, advocacy and networking. Read below to learn more about our volunteer committees. MLP is always interested in adding new committee members. Contact the MLP office if you are interested in volunteering.

Certification Committee

How we do it:
Certification committee members write, administer, proctor and correct exams; help conduct training seminars; review and update study material; and oversee the recertification system. There are 5 - 7 committee members and committee members are required to be current MCLPs. In addition to two exams per year, the committee meets 4 - 5 times per year for approximately 3 hours at a time.

Who we are:

Board Liaison: Gary Chase, MCLP
ValleyCrest Landscape Development
Brighton, MA
Committee Chair:

Mike Kelley, MCLP
Lovell’s Flowers, Greenhouse & Nursery
Medfield, MA

Angie Cerruti, MCLP
Gorgeous Gardens
Jamaica Plain, MA

Douglas McDuff, MCLP, MCA
Landscape America, Inc.
Wrentham, MA

Mary Sullivan, MCLP
NatureWorks Landscape Services, Inc
Walpole, MA

Management Team:

Charissa Sharkey
Aley Botelho

Education Committee

What we do:
Provide educational programs, based on current and projected trends and issues in the landscape industry that meet the educational, training and networking needs of the membership.

How we do it:
The Education committee makes recommendations for programming at dinner meetings, special seminars and other training. They serve as a liaison with speakers and assist the management team with preparations for the meeting. The committee is made up of 3 - 5 members and meets about 3 times per year for 3 hours at a time. Attendance at MLP’s educational events is strongly encouraged.

Who we are:

Committee Chair/Liaison: Dick Churchill
The GroundsKeeper, Inc.
Ashland, MA
Current Members:

Monique Allen, MCLP
The Garden Continuum, Inc.
Medfield, MA

Matt Gramer, MCLP
Natureworks Landscape Service, Inc.
Walpole, MA

Management Team: Kristen Dreyer

New England Grows Committee

What we do:
Represent MLP’s best interest in the implementation of New England Grows, a green industry conference and exposition held annually in Boston, MA.

How we do it:
As one of four partner organizations, MLP has one voting seat on the New England Grows Board of Directors. Additionally, MLP has two voting seats on the New England Grows education committee. The board of directors meets approximately 6 times a year for 4 hours at a time and board members fully participate in the execution of the conference in February every year. The education committee meets twice a year, for 4 hours at a time, and members serve as speaker liaisons during the course of the three-day event.

Who we are:

NE Grows Board Representative: Jon Ciffolillo, MCLP
Greenscape, Inc.
East Taunton, MA
Education Committee Members: Paul Rapoza, MCLP
Rapoza Landscape & Lawn Care
East Falmouth, MA

Carol Robertson, MCLP
Northeast Landscape Contractors
No. Andover, MA

Management Team: Kristen Dreyer

Green Industry Alliance/Advocacy Committee

What we do:
Responsible for oversight of MLP’s political relations and awareness activities. Members of the committee advise and establish MLP’s position on legislation and regulatory activities, in conjunction with other members of the Green Industry Alliance (GIA) members and its legislative agent.

How we do it:
Members of the GIA committee are occasionally called upon to meet with legislators and regulators. There is one representative to the GIA and, ideally, one alternate. The other members of the GIA include representatives from Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals (MALCP), Massachusetts Arborists Association (MAA), New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA), Irrigation Association of New England (IANE), and Golf Course Superintendents Associations of New England (GCSANE). The GIA meets about 6 times a year for about 2 hours at a time, unless pending legislative action requires additional activity.

Committee Chair/Liaison: Monique Allen, MCLP
The Garden Continuum, Inc.
Medfield, MA
GIA Chairman: Steve Certa
WatchAll, Inc.
Weymouth, MA
MLP Representative: James McGuire, MCLP
Hartney Greymont, Inc.
Needham, MA
Legislative Agent: Steven Boksanski
Shanley, Fleming & Associates
Boston, MA
Management Team: Virginia Wood

Member Experiences Committee

What we do:
Oversee the organization’s membership experiences including recruitment, retention, networking, and recognition.

How we do it:
The committee evaluates member benefits and services; as well as recruitment opportunities and delivery options. It monitors membership statistics and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors about dues levels on an “as needed” basis. The committee is made up of 3-5 members and meets about 4 times a year for 2 hours at a time.

Who we are:

Committee Chair/Liaison: Matt Gramer, MCLP
Natureworks Landscape Service, Inc.
Walpole, MA
Committee Members:

Steve Crowe, MCLP
Sunshine Landscaping Co.
Cherry Valley, MA

Jason Scott, MCLP
Distinctive Landscaping
Attleboro Falls, MA

Jenny Sherman, MCLP
Natureworks Landscape Service, Inc.
Walpole, MA

Karen Sunderland, MCA MCLP
The Garden Continuum, Inc.
Medfield, MA

William Witkowski, MCLP
LandDesign, Inc.
Hyannis, MA

Management Team: Aley Botelho
Charissa Sharkey

Governance/Nominating Committee

What we do:
Responsible for seeking out, evaluating, and recommending prospective new volunteer leaders for committee and board service.

How we do it:
The current past president typically serves as the chair of the nominating committee. Additional committee members are appointed on an as needed basis and can be MLP past presidents, as well. The nominating committee presents a slate of officers for consideration by the membership at the annual meeting.

Who we are:

Board Liason/Chairman: Jon Ciffolillo, MCLP
Greenscape, Inc.
East Taunton, MA
Management Team: Virginia Wood

 

The MLP is always looking for interested committee volunteers. Please contact kristen@mlp-mclp.org to learn more about the many benefits of MLP committee involvement.