NHLA was first organized back in February, 1981. Leon Pearson, Don Tordoff, Dave Sansom, Mick Sheffield, Rick Simpson, Jean Stimmell, George Pellettieri, Dick Gagne, William Elliot, Mark Goddard, Andy Sherburne, Gary Hinz, and Karl Sargent were some of the early organizers, whose intent was to form a landscaper contractors association for New Hampshire.
Eight months later the New Hampshire Landscape Association was officially founded. The objectives of the organization were, and are
- To promote the professional development of those engaged in all phases of landscape work in the state of New Hampshire.
- To promote and advance ethical practices throughout the industry in the state of New Hampshire.
- To coordinate the efforts of professional and allied landscape organizations serving in and for the state of New Hampshire.
- To gather, analyze and disseminate information of general interest, related to the industry, to the membership of the Association and to the public.
- To cooperate with governmental agencies in molding policies on legislative and administrative matters in the interest of the public and of the industry.
- To engage in any lawful activities which will enhance the efficient, sensitive and economic progress of the industry in the state of New Hampshire and which will inform the public of the industry's scope and character.
- To promulgate sound and responsible environmental and ecological practices. This new goal was added in 1993.
List of NHLA Presidents
| 1981 - Gary Hinz | 1993 - Chuck Simpson | 2005 - Karen Johnson | |
| 1982 - Andy Sherburne | 1994 - William Gardocki | 2006 - Diane Perkins | |
| 1983 - George Pellettieri | 1995 - Richard Rideout | 2007 - Diane Perkins | |
| 1984 - Alan Anderson | 1996 - Susanne Smith Meyer | 2008 - Jon Batson | |
| 1985 - Palmer Koelb | 1997 - Ken Burt |
| 1986 - Peter Kidd | 1998 - Anne Colby Hines |
| 1987 - Laurence Coronis | 1999 - Dana Sansom |
| 1988 - Douglas Gagne | 2000 - Michael Garrity |
| 1989 - Phil Caldwell | 2001 - Michael Garrity |
| 1990 - William Hoffman | 2002 - Kerry Stefanski |
| 1991 - James Myers | 2003 - Mick Sheffield |
| 1992 - David Alessandroni | 2004 - Mick Sheffield |
Incites by Past Presidents
George Pellettieri - "Joined together in this organization we can find common ground and seek solutions. Why focus our energy and limited resources on our differences."
Peter Kidd - "The direction I wanted to steer the Association in was a logical continuation of what had already occurred. I simply wanted to make the Association more accessible to more people. More relevant, I felt the time had come to gear more of our education toward the technical aspect, how to actually build a wall and a walk, share the technology, as well as the fair market pricing of our trades. It was my philosophy, particularly with such growth and boom on the horizon, that the way to market and present the industry was by educating and dragging up the caboose of the train. For those times I still feel it was the correct philosophy."
Laurence Coronis - "During my years of involvement with NHLA, I think I've learned more from the casual chit-chat before and after the meetings than from the speakers themselves! There's a special camaraderie within our organization that allows us to share our experience and information with each other."
Alan Anderson - "NHLA was started to make certain that the image of a landscaper meets or exceeds a standard of excellence. It was, and is, a vehicle for promoting our image as professionals and our industry as a moving force in the economy."
NHLA Involvements over the past years
- Trade Shows
- Flower Shows
- Leon Pearson Awards
- Twilight Meetings
- Spring Conference
- Community Work
- Business Meetings
- Scholarships
- Certification
- Newsletters
Some of the important messages have been passed down from past presidents include:
- Friendships
- Business Connections
- Education
- Having Fun
- Professionalism
- Getting Involved
- Camaraderie
- Honoring the Great Ones - Leon Pearson
- Change
- Growth
- Finding Common Ground
- Ecological Responsibility
- Opportunities
- Accessibility to more people
- Leadership
- Commitment to the Industry
- Directing the Future of the Industry
