At the age of 37, the University of Mississippi hired Jeff McManus as the Director of the newly formed Landscape Services Department. As one of the most junior directors on campus, the immediate challenges that faced him were staggering – exceptionally low morale with an unacceptable lack of productivity. In many ways, the Ole Miss landscape services was actually an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations then and today.

Jeff believed the challenges could be overcome with focused team effort. So, he established a four-step process he calls “The GROW System.” Jeff works from the position that everybody wants to be successful and they can be – by recognizing their personal potential. Great teams, Raising results, Offense scores and Winning Attitudes, these four things, formed Jeff’s GROW System.

Jeff has been praised by Forbes and the Huffington Post for his book, Growing Weeders into Leaders, where he shares how his team went from last place to being on the national stage. It wasn’t long before PGMS, Newsweek, Princeton Review, and USA Today all recognized Jeff’s teamwork and awarded their efforts with the nation’s most beautiful campus designation.

Dan Cathy, chairman of board of Chick fil A, had this to say about Jeff’s book, “…[it] serves as a guide for all current and future leaders. As a member of the leadership team at Chick-fil-A, part of my job is to help define the future of our business. One thing we have learned throughout my tenure at Chick-fil-A is that there’s a big difference between locating leaders and cultivating them. Jeff reminds us that all leaders can be cultivated with the right pruning and nurturing.”

Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture from Auburn University and is a Certified Arborist and Grounds Manager.

Jim is a passionate and innovative leader.  His primary focus for over 30 years has been to help his team, clients, and company achieve their respective goals.  He has experience in all facets of building and operating a high-performance landscape company.

Jim received his Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia and began his career with Post Properties as a Landscape Designer.  In 2001, Jim bought the company from Post and created HighGrove Partners, one of the largest landscape companies in the southeast with over 200 employees.

Jim has been an active member of the landscape industry.  He has served on the Board of Directors for NALP, where he also served as president from 2014 to 2015.  In addition, he is a past president of the NALP Foundation.  Jim loves to help people grow in this industry and is a frequent speaker at various events throughout the country.

KEVIN MCHALE

Owner, McHale Landscape Design, Inc.

Kevin McHale, along with his brother Steve, founded McHale Landscape Design in 1981 upon graduation from West Virginia University. Kevin is President of McHale Landscape Design and has served on the University of Maryland Landscape Advisory Board, The Penn St Landscape Advisory Board and as LCA President in 1996 and again in 2006. Kevin was recognized by the LCA last year with the Landscape Leadership Award which is presented to landscape professionals who have shown exceptional leadership and have positively impacted the landscape industry.

McHale Landscape Design is a “Residential Design Build/Estate Gardening Firm” serving the Washington DC market including Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The company operates 6 locations throughout the region and also maintains a 50 Acre Nursery which caters only to the McHale client base. The firm has won over 400 local and national Landscape Awards. The McHale business model focuses on the “Single Source” philosophy and the company employs “In House” carpentry and masonry crews to assure the clients experience is exceptionally seamless.

MICHAEL HUPF

CEO & Owner of Lifescape Colorado

Michael Hupf is a seasoned professional with a comprehensive background in both entrepreneurial management and strategic, financial, and operational management consulting. His career has spanned several high-profile organizations, including Lifescape Colorado, McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, Advance Publications, Inc. (Conde Nast), and Signature Wine Cellars, Inc., where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive growth and improve operational efficiencies. Michael's educational foundation is as impressive as his career trajectory, holding degrees from Stanford Business School and Creighton University. This educational background has provided him with a solid foundation in business principles and practices, which he has adeptly applied throughout his career.

Michael's specialties lie in navigating companies through complex business landscapes, where he utilizes his expertise in entrepreneurial management to foster innovation and strategic growth. His work at consulting giants like McKinsey & Company and Deloitte has honed his skills in offering actionable, strategic advice to a range of clients, from startups to established enterprises. Furthermore, his experience with Advance Publications, Inc. (Conde Nast) and Signature Wine Cellars, Inc. showcases his versatility and ability to adapt to the unique needs and challenges of diverse industries. Michael's leadership and strategic vision have not only propelled the companies he has worked with forward but have also made a lasting impact on the broader business landscape.

RICHARD BARKHAM, PHD

Specialist in macro and real estate economics. CBRE Global Chief Economist and Global Head of Research. Senior Fellow and Lecturer in Real Estate, Graduate School of Design - Harvard University. Professor of the Practice, Keenan Flagler Business School – University of North Carolina. Honorary Professor, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction - University College London. Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – MRICS. Counselor of Real Estate – CRE.

Author of: Real Estate and Globalization, 2012, (Wiley Blackwell, Oxford), explains the impact on Western real estate markets of the rise of emerging markets such as China and Brazil.

The Determinants of Small Firm Growth, 1995, (Jessica Kingsley for the Regional Studies Association, London), examines the role of small and medium-sized firms play in regenerating regional economies.

CHUCK BOWEN, CAE

As Vice President, Communications and Member Relations, at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Chuck Bowen leads external and internal communications for the trade association, the TurfMutt Foundation, and Equip Exposition, one of the largest trade shows in North America, as well as the association’s media and public relations engagement.

Prior to his work with OPEI, Chuck spent more than a decade working across a wide range of media, including daily news reporting, magazine writing, and as a trade press editor and publisher. He lives in the Washington, D.C., area with his wife and three children.

DAVID ANDERSON

Author – Leader is Not a Title

David Anderson is a leadership coach who has gained extensive experience in his over 25-year career as an entrepreneur and CEO. He has started multiple companies, including a marketing firm that has been in business for 25 years. David has experienced both successes and failures, learning from both scenarios. He is now focused on sharing his expertise to help others build their businesses, lead others effectively, and grow and prosper in their personal and professional lives.

In addition to his experience as an entrepreneur, David has worked for two Presidents of the United States in the Executive Office of the President and served as a US Congressional Staffer. He was also a staff appointee to two US Presidential Commissions. Furthermore, David has served on multiple Boards of Directors and recently served as a global board chair for the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), a global community of over 17,000 entrepreneurs in 60+ countries.

David is the author of the book "Leader is Not a Title" and is a business coach using the Marshall Goldsmith methodology. As a father to two boys and being married for 27 years, David is well-versed in balancing his personal and professional life. He has also traveled the world to approximately 50 different countries, providing him with a deep understanding of navigating cultural differences worldwide. David brings all of this experience and expertise to his coaching, aiming to help individuals achieve success and growth in their leadership roles and personal lives.

KURT BLAND

Kurt Bland grew up working a variety of jobs in his family’s landscaping business before he attended North Carolina State University and earned bachelor’s degrees in Agri-Business Management and Horticulture Science. In 2000, he began his management career with Del Conte Landscaping in Fremont, California before returning to North Carolina to join Bland Landscaping in 2002. Kurt has received multiple recognitions for his contributions to the landscaping industry and is known as an engaged and forward-thinking industry leader. He has spent time in both Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC working on addressing industry issues, and he has spoken on a variety of green industry and family business related topics at state and national events as an expert in landscape contracting, succession planning and business strategy. Kurt serves as Vice Chair of the North Carolina Irrigation Contractors Licensing Board, and volunteers to assist numerous industry stakeholders.

Since returning to Bland Landscaping 22 years ago, Kurt has led their company’s 800% regional expansion in partnership with his brother Matt Bland and their fellow leadership team members. The two brothers recapitalized with Prospect Partners in Q4 2017 and continue to run the business as a landscape industry platform focused on the Carolinas and the surrounding states. In the years since, Bland Landscaping has acquired and successfully integrated 6 add-on acquisitions while simultaneously entering multiple new growth-oriented markets.  Having established a network of more than ten strategically chosen branch locations across North Carolina, the team is actively establishing additional locations in new South Carolina markets. At the end of 2023 they entered the highly complementary aquatic services sector with their acquisition of Foster Lake and Pond Management, expanding their service offerings with ample opportunities for cross-selling, geographic expansion, and business synergies.

Thanks to the highly capable team of more than 700 men and women that make Bland Landscaping successful, nowadays Kurt focuses primarily on corporate visioning/strategic planning, culture cheerleading/business storytelling, leadership development, and networking with other members of the green industry. Kurt lives in Raleigh with his wife Meredith Keyes and their 3 Labrador Retrievers. He actively gives time as a volunteer to young green industry professionals to encourage future entrepreneurs and sustain the pipeline of industry talent as future leaders. In his down time, you will find him on, under, or near the water unless he is traveling abroad, going to a concert, or standing around a grill with friends.

BYRON MCFARLAND

Byron is an accomplished entrepreneur, advisor, and speaker who has made a significant impact in the world of business. With his expertise in guiding entrepreneurs on selling a business to management and maximizing the value of their enterprises, he has become a trusted source for strategic advice and practical solutions.

Throughout his career, Byron has helped entrepreneurs unlock the full potential of their businesses and navigate the intricate process of selling to management. With his invaluable insights and proven methodologies, he has enabled entrepreneurs to not only secure lucrative deals but also ensure that they get paid fairly for their hard work and dedication. Byron's ability to simplify complex concepts and provide direct, plain-spoken guidance has earned him a reputation for being a true expert in his field.

Byron's impact goes beyond individual businesses. As a member of the prestigious Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and a former board member for the Nebraska chapter, he has actively contributed to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Byron's dedication to sharing his knowledge and empowering others has led him to be a sought-after speaker at conferences for business owners. Through his engaging presentations, he has inspired countless entrepreneurs to aim higher and achieve their business goals.

Born into a small business family, Byron developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners from an early age. Growing up in the environment of his parents' small construction company, he witnessed firsthand the trials and tribulations that come with running a business. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help entrepreneurs
overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Byron served in the United States Marine Corps, where he honed his discipline, leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence. These qualities have become integral to his approach as a business advisor, allowing him to provide steadfast support to his clients.

When he's not immersed in the world of business, you can find Byron indulging in his passions for fly fishing and motorcycle riding. Standing in cool, clear mountain streams, casting a fly to rising trout, or cruising along two-lane highways on his antique road king, Byron finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors.

As the Founder and Managing Member of The McFarland Group, a renowned business advisory firm specializing in management buyouts and equity compensation, Byron continues to make a profound impact in the entrepreneurial landscape. Having guided over a billion dollars in business value, his expertise and track record speak volumes about his ability to drive tangible results. With his wealth of experience, dedication to simplifying complexities, and passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Byron McFarland is a true authority in the realm of selling businesses to management and leveraging business value to win the war for talent.

RICK GRIMES

Rick Grimes is a 30-year technology professional, with deep experience in Marketing, Operations, and Data Analysis. He has held leadership positions at companies of all sizes, ranging from some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Microsoft and Yahoo, to small startups that were still figuring out what to call themselves.

Rick caught the AI bug a year and a half ago and has been using, teaching, and evangelizing AI ever since. He has taught hundreds of people how to incorporate AI into both their professional and personal worklfows to create efficiencies and enable new capabilities. He uses AI to supercharge many aspects of his day, from engaging it as a strategic thought partner to helping him create copy to creating a Spanish tutor for his son so Rick could watch his Steelers play.

Rick is married with 15-year-old twin boys. He spends most of his non-working hours driving to or watching a baseball practice or game. He used to have hobbies, but he can no longer remember what those were. He’s a huge Pittsburgh sports fan, being born and raised, so he actively follows those teams…in between innings.

BILLY OTTEMAN

A strategist and storyteller, Billy Otteman leads brand communications at Scythe Robotics – the manufacturer building fully autonomous, all-electric commercial mowers in Boulder County, CO. After an agency-side career leading new product development and creative marketing initiatives for a range of consumer brands and B2B clients, he is now a leading voice in the green industry on the topics of innovation, technology, and robotics.