Stepping up amid dire straits
 |
Jody Gibson Operations Manager NLCI Property Management Brunswick, OH |
NLCI Property Management Owner Roger Nair sums it up succinctly: “Jody Gibson is my All-Star!” Last October, Nair went in for reconstructive colon surgery when the unthinkable happened: He ended up in a coma and had to have his heart restarted several times. When he came out of the coma about eight weeks later, he had to have round-the-clock home care.
Without hesitation, Gibson, who has been with NLCI since 1987, stepped up to the plate—handling each snow event and managing more than 100 subcontractors. “When I returned in February 2011, it was like nothing changed and everything was turnkey,” Nair marvels. “Jody is irreplaceable, as he always goes above and beyond with his loyalty and dedication to our company.”
At press time, Nair had one more surgery to go before the end of the year—a total of five surgeries in two years, two of them lifesaving. But Nair finds strength in his friend and colleague’s unfailing loyalty and leadership. “Without Jody, NLCI couldn’t or wouldn’t be here today.”
Containment plows transform a company
 |
Jason Grimes Vice President Superior Landscape Management Andover, KS |
Andy Saville, owner of Superior Landscape Management in Andover, KS, credits Vice President Jason Grimes with playing a huge role in the company’s snow business success.
“We have grown our snow business by more than 100% in the past three years, both in sales and resources—much of which was due to Jason’s dedication,” says Saville of the employee who has been with the company since 1995. “He is constantly working to improve and increase our snow-removal abilities through aggressive research, learning and training.”
One example of how Grimes’ expansive industry knowledge and devoted work ethic paid off, Saville says, is his research and ultimate implementation of containment plows for Superior’s loaders. “Our company was one of the first in the area to use a containment plow,” Saville explains, noting that it now owns and operates nearly 20 of them. “It has completely changed how we do business, and has offered our company a definitive advantage among the competition. Our customers love the quality and speed, and it has made our snow business more efficient and profitable than ever before.”
 |
Jeff Eidsness Maintenance Manager Clintar Landscape Management London, Ontario |
Jeff Eidsness is always willing to lend a helping hand, no matter the task. That’s according to Clintar’s London operations manager, Adam Tyman, who says Eidsness has done everything “from setting up our phones and radios to picking up a shovel if the need arises. He is always willing to go above and beyond his actual job description.
“Jeff understands the snow business inside and out,” Tyman adds. “He helps almost every new employee at Clintar London—hiring, routing, training and ensuring each person gets the same orientation.”
Eidsness, who joined the company in 2004, gives Tyman peace of mind during the winter season: “Having Jeff on staff allows me to focus on the nighttime operation, because I know that Jeff is at the helm during the day, ensuring things are set up for the returning night crew.”
 |
Ralph Wesley Wofford IV Supervisor Four R Lawn Cahokia, IL |
“Ralph is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen,” says Four R Lawn Owner Wes Wofford of his son. “He will handle anything that is thrown at him, and he is very good at finding ways that will help improve the company.”
The younger Wofford basically grew up in the family business, helping cut grass at 10 and helping his aunt back up equipment trailers as a teenager. Ralph officially began with the company at age 15; today, at 24, he is at its helm.
Wes notes that Ralph has never taken his status in the company for granted; rather, he dedicates himself to the tasks at hand. “He can run a crew on his own and work very quickly without having to ask for help,” Wes says. “He always treats the customers like they are family.”
 |
Jeff Kemp Operations Coordinator BSR Services, Inc. St. Louis |
Jeff Kemp started with BSR Services in a support role in 2001, and was hired full-time in 2007. From the start, he has made a positive impact, says BSR President Carl Bolm, CSP: “Jeff is always the first one in and the last to go home.”
“Jeff takes it on himself to go into the field time and time again to review the work product of BSR’s team members, and takes the initiative to touch up on walks … and does it storm in and storm out to satisfy clients and keep them coming back.”
Bolm recalls one recent instance in which Kemp’s attention to detail saved the day. Kemp caught a malfunctioning spreader that Bolm says would have “earned a complaint for sure.”
“Jeff managed to clean up the ton or so of misplaced salt,” Bolm states. “This dedicated BSR associate has helped define the company, and has set the example of true initiative and leadership.”
