HAROLD DEENEN

The ninth president of Landscape Ontario in 1982, Harold would end each of his presidential messages with “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” A tireless volunteer, over the years, and continuing still, Harold has been a leader on numerous Landscape Ontario and CNLA committees, including CNLA President from 2005 to 2007, and in 2019 as CNLA’s chair of Human Resources, treasurer of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council and treasurer of Green Cities Foundation.

JOE & BILL DELUCA

One of the most respected landscape construction companies in Ontario, Aldershot Landscape Contractors was a true family effort by Joseph DeLuca and his son Bill. The company and family have been involved with Landscape Ontario for many years. In 1994, Joe DeLuca was one of only four people to receive the Landscape Heritage Award for creating a legacy of excellence that positively influenced the profession. Aldershot’s work won the Dunington-Grubb Award in 1977 and Joe received the Alumni Award in 2004.

HORST DICKERT

Horst was part of the Ontario Landscape Contractors Association in the 1960s. He sat on the Landscape Ontario Specialty Education Committee as well as on the Advisory Committee to the province of Ontario for universities and colleges for 10 years, where he helped develop the provincial curriculum for apprenticeship programs. In 1988, he received the Trillium Award. Other awards included the Past Presidents’ Award in 1984, the Environmental Award in 1993, and the LO Legacy Award in 2004.

PHIL DICKIE

Phil Dickie was a tireless volunteer with the Waterloo Chapter through the years. He received the LO Community Leadership Award in 2012. This award is given to an individual who has been instrumental in making a significant contribution to their community through their horticultural work on community-based projects. In 2019, Phil was presented the LO Legacy Award.

HANK GELDERMAN

In 2009, Hank was awarded LO’s Honorary Life Membership. On June 23, 2011, over 250 friends, colleagues and fellow LO members gathered to wish him all the best in his retirement. On hand to offer him and his wife Jacoba best wishes was Tony DiGiovanni. He read a letter from LO president Tom Intven, “Hank is a willing and able mentor. He always has a good word to say. Hank truly has lived according to the golden rule: ‘Treat others as you would like to be treated’ – a testament to his deep-rooted faith.”

LINDSAY DRAKE NIGHTINGALE

Lindsay became president in January 2022 and quickly set her focus on the future. In her LO magazine column, she wrote: “As landscape professionals, we need to look at our businesses and determine how we can continue to be profitable, while being kinder to the planet. We also need to recruit like-minded individuals (clients and employees) to create and maintain spaces that will not destroy the environment, but rather will enhance our spaces. “A volunteer for many year’s with LO’s Toronto Chapter, Lindsay was presented with the 2019 Monica van Maris Green Professionals Women of Influence Award.

PAUL GROBE

Two of Landscape Ontario’s Chapters exist thanks to the work by Paul Grobe in the 1970s. Back then, Paul, along with fellow pioneer John Wright, left the Toronto Chapter to assist a struggling Hamilton Chapter, now known as Golden Horseshoe Chapter. From there, they moved to form the Waterloo Chapter. In 1995, he received the Past Presidents’ Award and in 2006 he was given the LO Alumni Award.

BUD HEBEL JR.

Bud was one of the people directly involved in the formation of Landscape Ontario. He served as president of the Ontario Nursery Trades Association in 1969, and served on its board from 1967 to 1972. On Jan. 11, 1973, Bud was involved in the final meeting of the Unity Committee to present the package that would create LO. Later that month, it was accepted and the association became a reality.

TOM INTVEN

Tom served as LO President from 2010-11. He was twice president of the London Chapter of and he was also a recipient of the LO Past Presidents’ Award for outstanding contribution to the industry. “I really enjoyed my time as LO President,” said Tom. “Our industry is better served by acting collaboratively rather than operating individually.”

PHIL CHARAL

Phil’s involvement with LO goes back to 1983, when his one-year-old company Allweather Landscape joined the association. He began his volunteer work in 2003 as a member of the Toronto Chapter, and starting in 2006 he served as chair of the Landscape Contractors Commodity Group. Phil became treasurer of the association in 2009, and then second vice-president in 2010. He also served as co-chair on Canada Blooms board for three years. “Being President of LO (2012-13) was a great honour for me,” Phil said. “I learned so much about the industry through my term and developed lifetime business friendships with so many talented people.”

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