|
|
Never without a project, Bill Hoopes says recent organizational changes at Scotts LawnService are giving him the opportunity to do something he’s always wanted – to run his own business.
Effective July 29, Hoopes has announced that he’s retiring from his position as director of training for Scotts LawnService, but plans to take his people-development expertise to a new level with a consulting business of his own. Hoopes tells Lawn & Landscape that the most meaningful aspect of his green industry career thus far is working with talented people, and that inspiration is fueling his new professional venture.
“So far, the best part about working in this industry, for me, is being around some of the most dedicated people I’ve seen in my life,” Hoopes says. “In my new work, my real focus will be on training and developing, mainly – managing people. For the last 20 years, being around these people who work longer and harder than most has been absolutely inspirational to me. It’s uplifting.”
Certainly, Hoopes’ own industry experience and professionalism give him a remarkable amount of insight into what makes an effective leader and has provided plenty of lessons that he can share with future lawn and landscape leaders. Since joining Scotts in the 1960s as a teenager, Hoopes moved up the company’s ranks with a position as a retail account executive before jumping to the training side as a Scotts Training Institute instructor in the early 1970s. He also ran the company’s Professional Turf Institute before leaving to lead the training division of Barefoot Grass in the 1980s. Hoopes rejoined Scotts LawnService in 1997 as director of training. As an involved member of the industry community, Hoopes is a past president of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America and currently serves on the board of directors for the Professional Landcare Network.
Moreover, Hoopes received Lawn & Landscape’s Leadership Award in 2001 and shared with Lawn & Landscape three important lessons for success:
- Be prepared to work hard.
- Believe in yourself and follow your dreams regardless of the advice others give you.
- Do not underestimate what you can do – You will surprise yourself if you give yourself half a chance.
| BILL HOOPES SPEAKS |
For years, Bill Hoopes has been a trusted source for important Lawn & Landscape reports. Click the links below to read just of the few of the Lawn & Landscape articles to which Hoopes has contributed, as well as a profile on the industry veteran and his Lawn & Landscape Leadership Award. Lawn & Landscape Leadership Winners 2001: Bill Hoopes Hoopes Urges Contractors to 'Remain Vigilant' Issues that Matter: Industry Roundtable At the 2001 School of Management: Hiring Tomorrow's Leaders Today
|
“People – this is Hoopes’ hot button,” wrote Lawn & Landscape Managing Editor Nicole Wisniewski in the 2001 article highlighting Hoopes’ leadership philosophy. “Ask a question pertaining to the proper training and management of lawn care operators and you’ve started an unstoppable whirlwind. The man is passionate about helping people develop communication skills.”
That hasn’t changed.
“Training is the single biggest challenge we’ve got, period, and there aren’t enough resources in the industry to address that,” Hoopes says. “And, those resources that are available may not be affordable to the small operator. My business objective is to provide practical, useful, basic people development information to people who, for whatever reason, either don’t have access to those resources now or don’t know they have access.”
Hoopes’ last day with Scotts will be July 29, but he has no plans of taking a break before diving into his new consultancy venture. “I’m already behind!” he says with enthusiasm. Hoopes will remain in the Columbus, Ohio area and can be reached at hoopes@columbus.rr.com.
