LETTER FROM THE CEO


The Essence of a Great Member Who Advocates Relentlessly


FROM THE FIRST TIME I MET BRANDON SHEPPARD, IT WAS clear that he had a passion for this industry, specifically for the first of our five pillars: advocate relentlessly. In the nearly five years that I have known Brandon, and his lovely wife Kimberly, he has personified advocacy on behalf of this industry.


He has done this as the


president of NALP, but also as a dedicated board member and champion for the lawncare and landscape industry. Why is that so important? Well, because most of our members value advocacy and the work that Andrew Bray and his team do on behalf of the industry, but without passionate members like Brandon who take the time to go to Capitol Hill and state capitols and even work with reg- ulators, NALP’s lobbying efforts would be for naught. It’s the regulatory side where I first got to see Brandon’s passion for advocating for the industry. Many in Washington will tell you the regulatory process is the least efficient, but most effective way to govern. What does that


mean? Simply put, the regulators enact the laws and in doing so also interpret them and in that interpretation, there are always some gray areas. So, industries need to educate these regulators to ensure the law is enacted as it was intended. To help NALP do this, Brandon has hosted two EPA field trips at his home, where industry profes- sionals show the EPA regulators how you all do your jobs. I have seen how effective this is as it dispels some of the myths and misconceptions about how lawn care and landscape profession- als use the inputs that the EPA regulates. These field trips (yes, the Sheppards have done more than one) are a huge help to the EPA and, as a result, make a huge impact on the industry. One other thi


how I mentione ly wifly wife, Kimberly she willingly hel


she willingly helps in the hosting process off over 5


and industry rep the Sheppard ho again, Kimberly! While many w


ocess of over 50 EPA regulators and industry representatives at the Sheppard home. (Big thanks again, Kimberly!)


While many would say hosting the EPA at your home is a lot, Brandon doesn’t stop there. He was instrumental in making sure over 3


the EPA at your h Brandon d He w in


30 of his Weed Man colleagues were present


for our Farm Bill lobbying day on Capitol Hill. The Weed Man team helped make that day a success and were a big part


6 The Edge //March/April 202 The he Edge March/Apri //March/April 2024 024


One other thing: Remember how I mentioned Brandon’s love- e, Kimberly? I do so because


of the reason we have some ben- eficial text in the House version of the Farm Bill. Additionally, even though he does not employ H-2B workers, Brandon can be found on those lobbying days supporting his fellow NALP members in their efforts to ensure as many H-2B workers as possible are available to NALP members. Brandon has also been known to join Andrew and others as they present PAC checks to members of Congress. He’s even driven to Richmond, Virginia, to participate in fundraisers for state and local politicians. This type of dedica- tion is so valuable to NALP, but more importantly to the industry. Brandon would be the first to tell you that you need to get engaged and involved. By doing this you can really make impact- ful change happen and Brandon exemplifies this trait. Now, I would be selling Bran- don short if I just shared all he does as an advocate, he is also a great thinker as well as a great orator. He has been a steady contributor at every NALP board meeting, as well as someone who has challenged me and the staff to think differently. And for that, we are truly grateful. Oh, and the statement I made about being a great orator. As I said to him after he spoke at our Renew- al and Remembrance event last year, “I wish I could have bottled that speech up and shared it with everyone in this great industry, it was awesome.” So, here’s to Brandon, thank


you for all of your contributions to this industry, especially your relentless advocacy.


Britt Wood


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44