ASCA bestows its first service awards

The ASCA’s Industry Standards Committee: From top left, Paul Wolbert, Mike Jones, Jim Anderson, Mark Strayer, Kevin Gilbride, Matt Peterson, Rick Bell, and John Allin.

The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) honored seven industry leaders with the association’s first award of merit – The ASCA Award.

Each recipient is a member of the ASCA’s Industry Standard’s Committee, and includes Jim Anderson, Troy Clogg Landscape Associates; John Allin, PJA Inc.; Rick Bell, Arctic Snow and Ice; Mark Strayer, Brickman Facility Solutions; Matt Peterson, Mills Insurance; Mike Jones, True North Outdoor; and Paul Wolbert, U.S. Lawns.

Honorees were recognized and received plaques during the 2012 Executive Summit, which took place Aug. 9-11 in Ft. Lauderdale.

Over the last year, ASCA has focused on instituting positive change in the industry, says ASCE Executive Director, Kevin Gilbride.

“We’re committed to doing what is right,” he says. “What is right for you as contractors, what is right for the industry as a whole, and what is right for those individuals who offer their time, their intelligence and, frankly, anything that is needed to take this industry to the next level.

Top picture - L to R: Tony Depetro, his guest, Frank Didon and Amanda Montanez. Bottom picture - Scott Neave (left) and Leah Speck, both of Neave Group.

Gilbride, who presented the award, explained it was an intensive year-long process to complete and finalize the industry’s first written standards. The ASCA’s Industry Standards are at the core of the association’s program to not only offer contractor certification based on these standards, but also allow contractors to undergo the stringent ISO9001 and SN9001 (special for the professional snow industry) certification.

The association’s overall goal of establishing industry standards, ASCA certification and ISO9001/SN9001 certification is to lower instances of baseless slip-and-fall claims and get a handle on controlling insurance premiums. It is believed that the certifications will serve as a strong deterrent to litigators pursuing frivolous slip-and-fall lawsuits.

“In the end, this group of individuals came together and worked as a cohesive team to accomplish – in record time – something that is critical to the future success of the industry,” Gilbride says.”Today, thanks to this group’s determination and dedication, we have a written set of industry standards for the snow and ice management industry.”

Following its creation, industry standards was the ASCA’s first order of business and served as a cornerstone to achieve other immediate goals. For example, establishing written industry standards played an important role in the creation of a diverse and meaningful educational curriculum to support members goals of achieving and retaining “ASCA Certified” status. Since the education went live in August, a number of contractors have earned “ASCA Certified” status.

In addition, industry standards established the baselines for the creation of the association’s ISO program – the SN9001 designation, which members can now actively pursue.