News from Harvest: Making Headlines Again

Harvest Landscape Enterprises, Inc.

Newsletter

April 2014

Counting

Blessings

Harvest has always operated like a family.

We care about our employees and celebrate the milestones in their lives much like our own: marriages, the birth of children, and kids growing up.

That's why it's so touching to have two longtime employees -- Leslie Hogbin and Dave Ramos -- back at Harvest after a short time away. (Although to me, it sometimes seemed like forever.)

You can read the details in the article to the right. My purpose in mentioning it here is to describe the impact their return has had on me and the company.

On the business side, their return brings rock-solid stability to the foundation of the company, which was built on cultivating relationships -- both in-house and with our clients. Both are stellar professionals who know the industry in and out, and their experience with the company keeps it moving like a well-oiled machine.

On a personal level, the experience is yet another reminder of how blessed we are to have special people in our lives: family, friends, coworkers and people like Leslie and Dave who represent all three.

Life continually brings change, and that's important as we learn under new circumstances and grow from it. It's always refreshing when the change brings back familiarity.

Somehow, coming back to the past can bring a peace of mind that brings comfort and restores faith that things are as they should be.

Maybe I'm just a little sentimental with the expectation that my daughter, Sierra, will be leaving home for college soon. That's a change that I know is important, but it will mark a difficult transition for me.

I like to look at Leslie and Dave's homecoming as something symbolic: that people leave home and come back again.

That life's blessings can come back to you, even after moments of change.

_____________

Steven Schinhofen is President and CEO of Harvest Landscape Enterprises, Inc.

Harvest Featured in Industry Magazine

Harvest Landscape President Steven Schinhofen explains Harvest's business philosophy in a recent issue of Landscape Management Magazine.

Sustainability is the key to profitability, he said. "It's not just the right thing to do, but it's also the smart thing."

The article profiled Schinhofen's experience in the industry, the growth of the company as a result of working to save clients money, and it lauded the cost and water savings achieved through a landscape renovation project Harvest recently completed at the Niguel Shores community in Dana Point.

"We are already using less water, making faster progress on the implementation of the master landscape project and at a sharply reduced cost verses initial projections," Steve Stewart, a Niguel Shores Community Association board member, told the magazine. "Also, we are seeing higher homeowner satisfaction with the current condition of our landscape."

Click here to read the complete article, "Harvesting Savings: How a Calif. Company reduces clients' water use."

Harvest Joins Longtime Friends at CACM Expo

We were very happy to see so many familiar smiles at the California Association of Community Managers Southern California Law Seminar & Expo held recently at the Disneyland Hotel.

The event featured a packed exhibit hall with more than 500 professionals in attendance. Educational workshops were held on everything from new legislation to creative approaches to enforcement and discipline.

We thank CACM for providing opportunities like this to stay on top of the issues, share ideas on the latest trends and technologies, and to get the chance to mingle with old friends.

We'll see you again next time!

Staffing Changes Reunite the Team

We are pleased to announce the return of two wonderful people to our family!

Leslie Hogbin has rejoined Harvest in an expanded role as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, and Dave Ramos has returned to oversee our tree-trimming and tree management department. Both are as happy to be here as we are to have them back.

"My heart is with Harvest," said Leslie, who left briefly to explore other career opportunities. "I've really missed the art and beauty of landscape."

Dave has returned to work with a clean bill of health, after undergoing treatment last year for cancer. Many of you know Dave better as "Kid Ramos," a legendary blues guitarist who this month received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award by the OC Music Awards. Read all about it here.

Elegant Evening at CAI's OCEC Awards Gala

Everyone was dressed to the nines as we gathered recently to celebrate the good work of associates and colleagues at the Community Associations Institute's annual Orange County Excellence in Community Awards dinner held at Disney's Grand California Hotel & Spa.

Giving back to community is an important responsibility for everyone: individuals as well as businesses.

That's why Harvest was pleased to support the event as the Champagne Title Sponsor. We believe in recognizing people doing good out in their communities. CAI-OCRC graciously recognized us for supporting their effort. Here is President Steven Schinhofen with their award... A humbling gift given what so many of the other honorees have done. Kudos to you all!

Working the Food Bank with CAI-OC

Harvest employees donated a recent Saturday to volunteer at the CAI-OC Food Bank event, where the team packed 3,900 boxes of food for Orange County families in need. A special thanks to the organizers for having us be a part of such an important effort.