Mark Slicker - A Passion for Landscaping and Sustainability

Mark Slicker, Business Development Manager for Terracare Associates, Texas, is a lifelong landscaper with a passion for the environment.  He worked on a field maintenance crew at a local landscape company over the summers to raise money for college.  After graduating from University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration he worked in the green industry before joining VMC Landscape Services in 1994.  With the recent acquisition, he heads up the Texas business development team for Terracare Associates.

Mark noticed early on in his career, that creating a sustainable landscape environment not only pays off for clients, but it also contributes to the longevity of the plant health and can save money for his clients.  He was particularly concerned about drought conditions and water use on landscape projects. 

A Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment 

Mark believes that it is not only the environment changes that makes us concerned, but societal pressures as well. As the populations grows, it places a strain on resources, infrastructures and more importantly, the water supply. To stretch our water resource, we need to be smarter on how we install and maintain landscapes.

Most of the states in the Western United States have experience severe drought conditions over the past five years.The extremes in weather and temperature with long hot summers presents landscape maintenance with unique perpetual challenges.The EPA reports about 30% of the residential water use is contributed to the outdoors. So many HOA’s, industrial and commercial properties and city parks have elevated concerns during drought conditions and seeking expert advice to take action.

Sustainability is becoming vital for the commercial landscape industry. For each new building, the landscaping installed is being designed with sustainability in mind. Existing buildings are also moving toward renovating their landscape with a more sustainable and water-wise design.

LEED-AP Certification

After several clients asked for help achieving LEED certifications on their buildings, Mark decided to achieve his LEED certification. In 2009, Mark achieved the LEED-AP designation. LEED certification is a professional credential from the U.S. Green Building Council signifying you are a leader in the field of sustainablity.  To get this certification, Mark underwent learning volumes of material supporting sustainable practices and ending with an extensive test. It also requires yearly continuing education classes to keep certifications active and relavant. The LEED Certification means that Mark can better serve his clients by focusing on ways to improve the "green" initiative through proper landscape design and water conservation.

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Communication: Key to Productive Teams and Quality Service

Take a moment to hear what Terracare Associates Field Supervisor, Rudy has to say.....

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Bill Horn, Sr. Vice President is Nominated for Prestigious Industry Award

Bill Horn, Vice President at Terracare Associates, was nominated for Professional Landcare Network, PLANET, Lifetime Leadership Award for his outstanding commitment to the green industry. Planet is a national landcare network representing more than 100,000 landscape and lawn care professionals across the country. Mr. Horn has an impressive back ground with almost 35 years in the landscape industry shared with his devotion for sustainability and a love for giving back to the community. He began his membership with Planet in 1995, almost 20 years ago and remains a very active and contributing member of the organization.

Bill Horn has been a Planet Board Member for almost 5 years and served on the Safety Committee for 10 years also he is the current the treasurer of the Green Industry Expositions, a large green expo that takes place each year. In addition, Horn is a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and worked on various community service projects in the region.

As an executive at Terracare Associates, Horn's career in the green industry is more than a job it's a passion for spreading green beyond the corporate walls. He has incorporated sustainability and environmental policies in daily operations.

Bill Horn is well known in the Bay area for his outstanding philanthropic efforts. Community outreach and volunteering is a core value of Terracare Associates and Horn supports this effort as he is committed to providing volunteers, expertise, equipment and other resources to grow a love for and beautify gardens and landscapes. One great partnership he has developed is with Friends of Marsh Creek to assist with creek habitat restoration projects across the East Bay region.


With deep dedication to connect youth to care for our earth, Mr. Horn and his team organized, built and maintained several edible gardens at neighborhood schools in the Bay area. Bill Horn is a landscape executive with a remarkable track record and a contributing citizen who believes that dedicating ourselves through service will make the world a better place to live. The recipient for this prestigious award will be announced by Planet in February, 2015.

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Effective Teams

It's a team!

3 ways to grow a team

Does teamwork increase productivity and service quality?   Professional teamwork can be defined as a group of employees whose members work together on a common goal using their positive synergy, individual and mutual accountability, and complementary skills.  Some companies force teamwork to improve production, but real teamwork is organic.  The most productive teams are those that empower employees, build ownership in their actions and clearly communicate and understand outcomes.  Dean Murphy, President at Terracare Associates, a leading outdoor maintenance company headquartered in Littleton Colorado says, “Teamwork is about values, we like to use the word team member rather than employee because we are together in this; all of our work is a result of a shared effort.”  Traditional teams that have worked and trained together gain important experience that creates a valuable resource for the company and customer.

Exceptional teams have just enough structure to balance individual expertise with cooperation and engagement to collectively work toward a common purpose.  Terracare Associates knows exceptional teamwork must be part of everyday operations.  Bill Horn, Vice President with Terracare Associates, California branch believes productive teamwork depends on consistent team performance.  “Teamwork just doesn't happen at a company.  We strive for high quality service each day and mobilize our teams to meet and exceed service levels.  It’s about empowering employees, integrity and utilizing critical resources.  And most importantly, knowing everyone is working for the best interest of our clients,”  says Horn.  Teamwork productivity begins with three basic components:

Communication:  Effective listening, asking good questions and anticipating next steps is all part of good communication within a team.  Horn says, “Communication is one of our strengths as a company.  Our teams meet daily on safety and project goals.”

Resourcefulness:  Teams strengths and productivity stems from the depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise within a company.  Pulling resources within Terracare Associates walls is easier because many employees have 10 or more years with landscape, public infrastructure and public private partnerships.  This collective knowledge creates a synergy and an inherent interest in finding best solutions for customers and better yet, anticipates problems before they happen. 

Building Relationships: Teamwork is all about relationships.  Horn believes companies can’t have productive teams without a commitment to cultivating relationships.   “Working with people is at the core of our business. We work at growing long term relationships with our clients, employees, vendors and our community.”

Teamwork, is a value.  A team works at its best when it communicates effectively, combines resource and cultivates relationships.  Murphy says, “Every individual at our organization contribute to the success of delivering high quality work because together we are more, it’s a team.”

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Let's Talk About.....

Greg Hayes – A leader in motion

Submitted by Cristin Tarr, Terracare Associates

What do race cars, a deputy, and mentor have in common? Greg Hayes - Colorado Operations Manager for the public infrastructure division at Terracare Associates. I had the pleasure to sit down with Greg Hayes to talk about his 30-year career with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and his current position with us at Terracare.

As past Deputy Maintenance Superintendent of the front-range region, Greg was responsible for 250 state employees, over 100 large trucks, 600 pieces of equipment and handling almost $30 million dollars in annual projects. His reputation for organization management, dedication and integrity was well known within the walls of CDOT.  His list of projects includes HOT lanes, T-Rex of Colorado and many major highway interchanges. Nothing is more precious to him than his employees. “Safety of my work teams is so important. We want our field employees to come home safe and healthy every day. In addition, our goal is to make our roads as safe as possible during any construction projects. Public safety was and continues to be always on my mind.” 

Fortunately for Terracare Associates, after Mr. Hayes’s retirement from CDOT he joined Terracare’s public infrastructure division team in October, 2013.  “We have known Greg for some time. We knew about Greg’s reputation as an exceptional leader, commitment to quality service, work ethic and breadth of experience in public works. We are privileged to work with such an exceptional person on our team,” said Dean Murphy, President, Terracare Associates. 

During my conversation with Greg it was apparent he was unassuming and reserved about his achievements and often gave credit to his team members.. Greg began his love for infrastructure at age 13, helping his uncle’s construction company in Arizona. He was quite young when he first handled heavy equipment, and he was hooked. I asked him what makes a great leader. He states “taking the time to mentor and teach the young people what you know, sharing your knowledge of what you've learned is the greatest gift you can give as a leader.” He feels strongly that mentoring those that are less experienced helps build a road map (no pun intended) to the next generation. 

Ironically working on the road doesn’t stop at his daily job. Greg is co-owner of three race cars and competes almost every week in season. In addition he has six show cars and he loves the outdoors. His passion for mentoring is extended to his three children 28, 25 and 14 years old.  He coached youth sports, football and basketball for many years. Greg is always on the move inspiring and empowering others to be their best. Greg is continues to be a leader at Terracare Associates and is moving the pack forward...even on the racetrack.

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Ty Wilson receives landscape certification highest status

Ty wilson ACHIEVES LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED STATUS

April 2014 — PLANET, the national landscape industry trade association, announces that Ty Wilson, Branch Manager at Terracare Associates in Elk Grove, CA has earned the Landscape Industry Certified Technician designation and is now nationally certified.

The achievement of the Landscape Industry Certified designation demonstrates a distinguished level of professionalism. Certification is voluntary and it represents a professional’s dedication to exhibiting superior knowledge in his or her field.  Only a select few, approximately 1% of landscape professionals working in the United States today, are certified.

PLANET’s Landscape Industry Certified program, supported and used internationally, offers seven different certifications that include expertise in lawn care, interior plant care, horticulture, landscape care, and business management.

For more information about Terracare Associates careers visit www.myterracare.comand to learn more about becoming Landscape Industry Certified or hiring a certified professional, visit www.loveyourlandscape.com.

Terracare Associates is a leading landscape maintenance and public infrastructure management company in the Western United States. Each day, Terracare Associates’ almost 400 employees strive to exceed industry standards and build long term partnerships with our clients to achieve absolute customer confidence.  During all seasons, the company’s certified and experienced employees manage, maintain and improve landscapes, parks, roadways and infrastructures for a beautiful, healthy, safe and sustainable outdoor environment.

PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, is the national trade association representing more than 100,000 landscape industry professionals, who create and maintain healthy, green living spaces for communities across America. PLANET members are committed to the highest standards in industry education, best practices, and business professionalism. Many of PLANET’s professionals have attained the status of becoming Landscape Industry Certified, achieving the greatest level of industry expertise and knowledge. Visit PLANET at www.landcarenetwork.org.

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