MESSAGE FROM JUDY THOMAS
(NCTLC PRESIDENT 2007-2008)


For many years now our non-profit organization has done its best to provide quality educational events for members of our landscape community-from arborists to structural, pest control advisors,irrigation specialist,parks and recreation managers,and maintenance personnel, turf and recreation workers.


We have done this in cooperation with U.C. Cooperative Extension and with help from all of you in the landscape industry.


Although we can no longer produce the large annual EXPO that was our Main Attraction in the past,we hope that we can provide smaller events that give direct exposure to our supporting vendors-rather than just through the internet or on the phone.


We are now presenting an annual Hands on Equipment Irrigation Show in September,a Winter Educational Conference in November,a Landscape/Structural Pest Control Event in March,and a Day on the Green in May of each year.


We hope that these event give you both the CEU's and the hands-on-opportunities you need with vendors to stay current in your fields of expertise.


Since this organization exists for you, the landscape professional we welcome your ideas and input during this time of drought, change,and budget constrictions. Please feel free to call on us to share your thoughts and to offer your expertise.Those of us who serve on the board are volunteers from the industry, who enjoy being of service-along with informal comradeship and networking.


I will to thank Manuel Gonzales (Lesco/John Deere) for having served as board president for the past 2 years.Manuel continues to serve as our Web-master. I also wish to thank Paula Tusler (Cagwin & Dorward) for having served on the board through this past year.To John Mendoza (City of Santa Clara), and Gary Ingram (Metropolitan Golf Links) for volunteering to join us on the board. I also appreciate Larry Iaquinto, Vice President (City of Sunnyvale), Pete Gumas, Treasurer, April Lincoln, Secretary(Target Specialty Products) for agreeing to serve as officers for this upcoming year. And last but not least our awesome directors-Bill Gardner(Hayward Area Rec-District), Jean LaDuc (City of San Jose), Richard Langevin (Retired), Jeannie Raye (SFPUC), Jim Brandenburg (Sr. Parks Supervisor,Livermore Area Rec.& Parks District), Dr Ali Harivandi, (Educational Advisor,UC Coop.Entension),and Grace Iaquinto (our NCTLC Executive Coordinator)


I will continue to serve as the newsletter editor,with our current on-line NCTLC newsletter. Please let me know of any interesting articles that you would like to share. Thank you.