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“Each plant in my yard has a personality,” says Bill Horn, CLP, CLT, who laughs at his own statement. Yet, it is a passion for horticulture and for the green industry in general that has helped this landscape contractor grow a successful career.

As the manager of the Benicia, California, branch of American Civil Constructors, Inc. (ACC), headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, Horn oversees a 75-person operation that delivers a full range of commercial landscape services. The Benicia location is one of eight landscape-contracting branches for ACC, a company that generates more than $200 million in annual revenue. In addition to landscape construction and maintenance, ACC provides a variety of services, including the construction of bridges, highways, golf courses, and sports fields.

Horn unwittingly took the first step on his career path when he worked for a landscape installation contractor during high school. After graduating, he attended evening classes in the agri-business program at a two-year college and worked for a landscape maintenance contractor by day.

“It was not my intention at the time to be a landscape contractor,” says Horn. “Instead, I wanted to be a farmer and, more specifically, a prune rancher. When area orchards disappeared to make room for new housing and industrial developments, I quickly changed my mind.”

Horn worked for the maintenance contractor for four years, starting out as a member of a mow crew. By the age of 20, he was the crew foreman, and two years later, he ran a small branch operation for the company. The contractor/student earned his horticulture stripes during the day and studied business at night. When the company was sold to Contra Costa Landscaping, Horn stayed on and became a renovation foreman. More important, he continued his industry education.

“The turning point in my career came while working for Contra Costa,” says Horn. “Ken Gerlack, who headed the construction division, and Dave Burnley, who oversaw maintenance, took me under their wings and taught me the business side of running a company. They had all the pieces of the puzzle and freely mentored me about the importance of delivering quality work, providing excellent customer service, being honest, and doing what you say you are going to do. That was the backbone of our operation back then, and it is the backbone of ACC today.”
 
Horn continues, “They explained that business success and company growth do not come exclusively from sales but, instead, are comprised of several ingredients that all have equal value. They also shared their belief that training and education are absolutely fundamental to operating a successful company.” Horn took this advice with him when Contra Costa was later sold to another company. Four years ago, that company became American Civil Constructors. Horn became a branch manager a year later.

“I believe in teamwork, in getting ideas from people, and in the value of brainstorming,” says this landscape contractor. “I also believe that old standards, such as providing quality work and excellent customer service, will never go out of style as long as there are companies that are truly interested in long-term success. Safety has been a key issue over the years, and it still has to be a top priority for any owner or manager.”

Again, Horn attributes his career development to having a passion for landscaping and being fortunate enough to have mentors. He also credits being involved with industry certification programs, first in California and later with ALCA, as pivotal career decisions. “I gained an incredible amount of knowledge just by studying to become a Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) and a Certified Landscape Professional (CLP),” he remarks. “But the learning process did not stop there. I have stayed active in the certification program and am a member of ALCA’s Maintenance Advisory Group. Involvement in both areas provides tremendous networking and gives me an opportunity to share ‘best practices’ with other contractors.”

Having recently celebrated his 45th birthday, Horn is a long way from retirement. Still, enough proverbial water has passed under his career bridge to allow time for reflection. More important, he is taking the time to give something back. This once-mentored contractor is now an ALCA mentor, and he says he gets the most enjoyment when he sees a member of a mow or installation crew move up to a supervisory position and, later, become a mentor, as well.

When one thinks about it, those little plants with personalities in Horn’s backyard are microcosms of the industry that they represent. Every company and every contractor has a different personality, and, like plants, their survival and growth depend on the nourishment they receive from others who have a passion for the industry

9/04

By Rod Dickens, ALCA Contributing Writer