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This year PONDAPALOOZA presented a tremendous format for
the NAPP to showcase it’s successes over the last year!
I must be completely transparent here and share with
each of you the extent to which each of the board
members are committed to strengthening this segment of
the landscaping industry. This commitment has been the
primary driving force behind each member to put
literally hundreds of hours into preparing a foundation
beneath our organization that is routed in a passion for
excellence.
We are so fortunate to have Sherry
Loudermilk as our managing Executive Director. She is
there for you each and every day of the work week to
serve as a forum to present your request to the board of
directors, as well as provide the status of your
membership. This is a huge benefit to each of you and I
encourage you to use it. This will enable us to take an
archival approach to managing our organization, ensuring
that no one gets lost in the shuffle. If you don’t
already have it, our phone number is (706) 258-3534 and
you can email us anytime at
sherry@nationalpondpro.org. We are here for you!
As most of you know, we have
officially rolled out the Entry Level program for the
NAPP course certification. This includes a study guide
and test for all who wish to complete a NAPP certified
course and increase their organization’s credentials and
educational standing in the industry. Be on the look
out for future educational forums in your region. Your
participation will equip you with the foundational
knowledge necessary to move forward in future
educational programs that will focus on several areas of
the pond industry. For instance, we have developed a
new committee whose mission is to develop a curriculum
and forum for Retail Specialists. Another committee has
been formed to do the same for Installation Specialist.
In addition, we know that committees are needed for
manufacturers, growers, designers/architects, awards,
public relations, and trade shows. The list goes on and
on and we are only lacking one thing to accomplish the
goals set forth for each committee. That one thing is
you! We know that there are many experts in our
membership and we need you to identify your area of
expertise or passion and contribute to these
committees! Please contact us by phone at (706)
258-3534 or by email at
sherry@nationalpondpro.org and enroll as a committee
member. This will expedite the creation of these new
curriculum initiatives and you will have the
satisfaction of knowing that you had a part in creating
the nations leading education curriculum for that
specific sector in our industry. I can’t begin to
express how much I personally learned while
participating on the educational committee for the Entry
Level Program. Just like you, I was confident in my
expertise, only to be humbled expertise of others on the
committee. Teamwork is so rewarding, I often marvel at
the synergy multiple minds create.
Finally, I want to thank you for your commitment to
excellence as a pond professional. I am honored to
serve with you in this great industry of ours. In
addition, I am very honored to serve you as part of NAPP.
This organization sprouted out of a need for objective
education and standards, and out of this need we will
bear great fruit!
Sincerely,
Max Hammond – President
National Association of Pond Professionals
mhammond@nei-lex.com |
