WARREN PATTERSON

When Warren took the role of LO President in 2018, not only was the major renovation of the home office in Milton underway, but there was also the beginning of a new strategic plan for the association. Warren said, “With the board, members, chapters, volunteers and staff actively focused, our collective resources and energy invigorates the many stakeholders involved.” At the official opening of the newly renovated home office on Oct. 23, 2019, Warren told those present that all members should be very proud of the new facility as it is a better reflection of the work done by the association and its members.

JOHN PEETS

John was the first and only LO President to serve three consecutive terms: 1990 through 1993. After serving on the London Chapter Board, John moved onto the Provincial Board of Directors, where he served as treasurer and vice-president. John oversaw several advances during his presidency, including the move of Congress to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, and the re-establishment of the Provincial Advisory Committee for horticultural apprentices.

GLENN PEISTER

Glenn was among a handful of men back in the early 1970s who, with foresight and determination, worked countless hours to create a strong voice for their industry. “We met and we met and we met,” Glenn recalled of the time spent trying to arrive at a solution to merge three associations into one. When LO was formed, Glenn was quoted at the time, “This took years of effort by unselfish, far-sighted people who sought to improve and promote their chosen vocation.” As the first LO President in 1973, Glenn recalled, “My year as LO President saw me put 12,000 miles on the car.”

JOE PEPETONE

Owner of Holland Park Garden Gallery in Burlington, Joe initiated the Landscape Ontario Garden Centre Commodity Group in 1988. He was the inaugural chair of the new group and served on the LO Board of Directors until 2006. In his March 2012 column in LO magazine, Tony DiGiovanni wrote about Joe’s contribution ethic. “Years ago, I asked Joe Pepetone why he was so free with sharing business information at a Garden Centre Commodity Group meeting, when his competitors were sitting around the table. ‘It’s easy,’ he said. ‘Do the math. If I offer one good idea in a room with ten competitors and they do the same, I receive nine ideas back.’”   

FRANS PETERS

Two major changes occurred for the association during Frans’ time as president of Landscape Ontario in 1993: The purchase of the Milton property for LO’s head office and moving Congress to the Toronto Congress Centre. In January of 1994, LO Real Estate Committee, chaired by Casey van Maris, with Frans Peters as a member of that committee, voted to pursue the purchase of what was known as the Shemin Nurseries property in Milton. At the official opening of the new head office on Sept. 21, 1994, with over 500 people in attendance, Frans outlined his vision of an industry training centre, demonstration gardens and research park.

JOHN PUTZER

John was part of a special committee of pioneers who worked to develop the Landscape Ontario Guide to Planting Standards. When LO purchased the property near Milton, John became the go-to person. “We were needy neighbours,” remembers Tony DiGiovanni. “When we needed a tree to commemorate our first open house, John supplied the tree. When we needed equipment and expertise to move trees being forced for Canada Blooms, we called on John. When plants were required for the certification programs, we asked John for them. It was always without complaint and without charge.”

SYD QUERIPEL

Syd began as a member of the Ontario Garden Maintenance and Landscape Association (OGMLA) in 1966. He served two years as president of the OGMLA in 1968 and 1969. During 1968, he began talks with Ontario Landscape Contractors Association and Ontario Nursery Trades Association to combine the convention and trade show in 1969. It was named the Allied Horticultural Trades Congress in 1970 at the Skyline Hotel in Rexdale. Syd served as a director on the very first nine-person Landscape Ontario Board of Directors and chaired the first Congress under the LO banner. He was named an LO Alumni Member in 2006.

DON SALIVAN

Don was one of the founding members of Landscape Ontario. LO Past President Gord Shuttleworth remembered Don as a leader in the industry. “Don was instrumental in the creation of Landscape Ontario,” Gord said. “When we were trying to combine three associations in the early 1970s, Don was a staunch supporter of the OGMLA and didn’t want to lose its voice by joining with the landscape contractors and nurserymen associations. Don became a devil’s advocate for the process and made us reach further than we thought possible to create a better association.”

BILL SCHREIBER

Bill was active in the OLCA, ONTA, and CNTA. In a profile from November 1985, Rita Weerdenburg wrote, “The names of Bill Schreiber and Lakeshore Landscape Associates will be forever synonymous with the landscape construction trade in Ontario.” Bill Schreiber devoted a great deal of time to create a strong association for the industry. He was a founding member of the Landscape Horticultural Guild. It was from this organization that the Ontario Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA) was created. He worked hard to continue to improve OLCA, until LO was created in 1973.  

GORD SHUTTLEWORTH

Landscape Ontario’s fourth president, Gord, was also its sixth president. After serving his term in 1976, he returned to the role in 1978. Tony DiGiovanni said, “There is a saying, ‘We can see further because we stand on the shoulders of giants.’ Gord is one of those giants. He has been instrumental in the success of our association.” In 2013, Gord Shuttleworth received the Landscape Ontario Honorary Life Membership.

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