At the table

Photo: Irrigation AssociationChad Forcey has been in politics since 1998, first working for elected officials and then lobbying for the green industry.

“It’s a job I couldn’t imagine giving up, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” he says.

His experience and enthusiasm has landed him the title of state affairs director of the Irrigation Association. After six years as director of government relations for the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, Forcey is now tasked with working with IA members and politicians to influence state irrigation regulations across the country.

Lawn & Landscape caught up with Forcey to talk about what industry issues keep him up at night, traveling and good movies.

What does your day-to-day schedule  look like?
Well, a lot of questions and tips about legislation come from members across the 50 states. We are tracking more than 20 key state bills right now and numerous small state and local initiatives.

When I’m in the office, I’m doing whatever I can for us to No. 1, ascertain what these bills are and how they affect the irrigation trade across the country at the state level, and, No. 2, to help our members get involved and take important positions and play important roles at the state level.

When I’m out of the office and on the road, which is frequent, I’m meeting with irrigation contractors and manufacturers around the country, and I’m helping them to navigate their legislators and the regulatory process.


What are the most pressing issues you’re dealing with now?
Right now, I’m thinking a great deal about licensing, certification and how to promote industry professionalism around the country. The method, the policy approaches, the political relationships and cultures vary greatly from state to state.

But the objective remains the same: How can we use our influence at the state level to promote good licensing programs that help irrigation professionals distinguish themselves, promote and build on their Irrigation Association certifications, and bring that level of workmanship across the trade up to the level utilized by our highly-skilled members. Our members do a very good job. We need to make sure that the rest of the industry is following their lead.