From the time he entered the business in 1963, Strauss learned and developed some expertise as he went through the learning curve. With each step he grew and learned more.

It was quite a journey, and James Cornelius never imagined that one day he would be the proud owner of a company. The 46-year-old Illinois native is the president and owner of U.S. Praxis, but after graduating high school, owning a manufacturing company was the last thing on his mind.

There are some people who do excellent work but really don’t want to be leaders; they would rather follow. That’s not Valerie Steele.

Even from the other side of the world, I knew that America was the land of opportunity for everyone. This was what Carlos Chavarria said to me when I asked him what made him come to the United States.

At the tender age of 14, Gary Morgan entered the business world when he started a lawn mowing service. Ironically, today he is back in the “mowing” business as president of Dixie Chopper. Along the way, he accumulated a wealth of experience in wholesale and retail business.

From a job with the FBI to a career in the landscape industry seems like an unlikely leap, but that is exactly what Charles (Bud)Knowles decided to do when helearned that the FBI was going to transfer him from Dayton, Ohio to New Jersey.

Some people are born into the irrigation industry. For others, the industry finds them. In the case of Travis and Shelly Komara, it all started - strangely enough—with a ’50sthemed Internet cafe.

Brothers Don and Dave Hendrickson were exposed to the irrigation business at a very early age. Growing up in Corona, California, their means to extra income was tending to the orange groves owned by their father, Bill, and keeping those groves properly watered.

A couple of months ago I lost a soul brother, and the landscape industry lost a dedicated friend and fellow contractor. He passed away quietly. I wanted to say something at the time, but I was at a loss for words. Can you imagine me, at the loss for words? Now that I have gathered my thoughts, I can recall many fond memories.

IT ISN’T TOO OFTEN THAT WE COME across an individual like Ken Hutcheson. On the outside he is warm, engaging and charming. However, under his skin lies a savvy, dedicated businessperson.