2002 Leadership Award Winner: Tom Delaney

This year marks the fourth year in which Chipco Professional Products and Lawn & Landscape magazine have partnered to recognize those individuals in the industry whose personal contributions have contributed to the industry’s development. These individuals will be honored at a reception to be held at this year’s Green Industry Expo in Nashville, Tenn. A new member of the 2002 Leadership Class will be announced at Lawn & Landscape Online every Monday and Thursday between now at then.  

Tom Delaney’s interest in all things “green and growing” always seemed to stem from an inherent source. Even as a boy growing up near the concrete and metal microcosm of New York City, Delaney preferred the delights of his garden, watching vegetables grow and tending to plants. While classmates tuned into comedic sitcoms on television, Delaney was engrossed with “The Modern Farmer,” a program exploring the world of agriculture. From the very beginning, Delaney’s affinity for plants seemed natural, almost familiar.

Ultimately, Delaney landed at the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) as director of legislative affairs for the industry association. Although Delaney has held the executive vice president position with PLCAA for the last few years, which means he’s responsible for all facets of the association’s operations, he has also retained the title of government affairs representative since that first year. Therefore, much of Delaney’s day-to-day tasks revolve around the political side of the green industry. His interest in this area began with a close association with government representatives while he worked for the state department, he identified. “I was across the street from the capital building while I worked there so I was sort of around it a lot for the 15 years I was there,” he said.

In addition, since Delaney attended the University of Georgia with the three sons of the local county commissioner, he automatically felt at ease in the commissioner’s office. “His sons were my Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers, so I felt comfortable there,” he said.

Delaney’s first year testifying also marked the first year of an important annual political event for PLCAA – the Legislative Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Each year PLCAA members travel to the nation’s Capitol to discuss pressing legislative issues with their respective congressmen. Although the individual effect is important, the true value of the event lies in the overall visibility the event lends to the association and the industry, Delaney stressed “If you take 25 or so states that attend and multiply that by two for two senators and then multiply again by several representatives, you have so many possible visits to help make an impact,” he related.