The Edge July/August 2025

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DEPARTMENTS 6 From the CEO: Technology and Leadership for You The Agronomist: Lessons Learned by Listening to Clients 10 Faces of the Industry: Yenni Rivas 40 From the Hill: Attempts to Restrict “Non-Functional”Turf During the 2025 State Legislative Cycle BUSINESS SMARTS 14 Building Your Team: Transforming the Talent Game with Digital Recruiting Strategies 18 Building Your Team: AI Recruiting Tools to Explore 20 Innovator Series: Gassib Landscape Design Goes “Full Throttle” Into MX FUEL™ Battery Powered Equipment 30 Boosting Your Business: The Keys to Maximizing Your CRM Usage 8

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Protecting Your Business: Technology Tools to Increase Safety

AI Trailblazers: How Landscape Pros Are Increasing Their Efficiency

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THE NALP EXPERIENCE 36 Meet Jason Walker, 2025’s

Outstanding Educator of the Year 38 Francisco Garcia Named Kevin Kehoe Student Leader of the Year 41 New Members 42 ELEVATE Goes West: Unlock Your Potential with the Industry’s Best

Larry Ryan 33

Technology 26

Talking with Titans:

Peer Perspectives: Driving True Adoption When Implementing New

Advertiser Index Bartlett Tree Experts........................................................................25 Caterpillar..........................................................Inside Front Cover Colorblends.........................................................................................17 Exmark...............................................................................Back Cover First Editions...........................................................................................5 Greenworks Commercial.............................................................11

Milwaukee Tool.........................................................................20-21 NALP Bootcamp..................................................................................3 NALP ELEVATE 2025....................................Insider Back Cover NALP Business Management Series.....................................35 NALP Field Trip...................................................................................39 NALP Leaders Forum.....................................................................37

NALP Learning Hub........................................................................29 NALP & Rancho Mesa Insurance Services.........................13 Proven Winners ColorChoice.......................................................9 STIHL...........................................................................................................7 Torque Products Limited.............................................................19

4 The Edge // July/August 2025