2024 NW Landscape Expo Presenters

Amy Whitworth

Amy Whitworth is Lead Designer and Owner of Plan-it Earth Design in SE Portland.
Since 1998, Amy has been helping her clients craft earth friendly gardens and deepen their connection with the natural world. She has received numerous awards for her educational and habitat gardens, including OLCA’s 2018 award for Best Residential Renovation from 35K-75K. 

Artemio Morales
Water Manager, Pacific Landscape Management

Artemio's Presentation
2:00 - 3:00 pm - Irrigation 101

 
Britta Pajunas
Technical Specialist, Oregon OSHA

Britta leads the Urban Conservation Program at the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District and has been on staff since 2014. Through this program, she helps residents plan conservation projects and is excited to be implementing novel methods for stormwater management and lawn alternatives throughout urban Washington County. 

Cesar Chavez Alvarado
Safety Consultant
Cesar Chavez Alvarado is a Safety Consultant with extensive experience working across various industries, specializing in improving safety standards for Spanish-speaking workforces. He is dedicated to helping companies enhance their safety cultures, ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, and providing risk management solutions. Cesar offers tailored safety training in Spanish, helping bridge communication gaps and creating safer work environments for all employees. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys playing live music with his band and play soccer. 

Cesar's Presentation

3:15 – 4:15 pm - Engaging the Spanish-Speaking Workforce  

Charles Schmid Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor (Sr. Res) 
Dr. Chas Schmid is an Assistant Professor (Senior Research) in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University, where he leads applied turfgrass research and teaches undergraduate courses. A native of South Dakota, Dr. Schmid earned his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Master of Science in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska, followed by a PhD in Plant Biology and Pathology from Rutgers University. His research focuses on various aspects of turfgrass management, including organic matter management in putting greens, the use of plant growth regulators, turfgrass cultivar evaluations, and the influence of cultural practices on turfgrass diseases. 

Charles' Presentation

2:00 – 3:00 pm -  Slow-release Fertilizers for Turfgrass: Product Options and Calibration Tips 

Corey Christopherson
SR Contractor Account Manager 

Corey has over two decades of experience in PNW landscape market. He has been involved in all phases of landscape design and installation with a specialty in irrigation. Corey is currently responsible for promoting the intelligent use of water with the Rain Bird Corporation.

Corey's Presentation

12:00 -1:00 pm - Do you want fries with that? Utilizing technology in irrigation products to sell more and provide a better system to your customers. 

Danielle Stafford
Sales Rep, MSI 

Danielle loves being in the industry and providing amazing products to transform outdoor spaces into stunning, low maintenance landscapes. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and improvement Danielle is continually exploring new methods of how to install artificial turf.

Danielle's Presentations

10:00 - 11:00 am - Artificial Turf 

David Bowser
Attorney, Jordan Ramis PC

 David's Presentation

8:00 - 9:00 am - Your Contracts – What You Do Not Know Can Hurt You

Deb Bridges
Safety Consultant 
Deb Bridges, ASP, CIT, has worked as an Occupational Safety and Health Consultant for the past 6 years. Deb works with clients from various industries in building a robust safety culture, assisting with OSHA compliance, while keeping an eye on risk management and Total Worker Health. Deb also specializes in safety training, conducting webinars, as well as in-person and hands-on training. When she is not being a safety nerd, Deb enjoys scuba diving, including working as a volunteer diver at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, competitive racewalking, and hiking and camping.

Deb's Presentation

10:00 – 11:00 am - Building an Effective Safety Committee 

Deborah Jeffries
Vice President, HR Answers, Inc

Deborah Jeffries harbors a deep passion for people. With a diverse background spanning HR, Education, Service, Retail, Manufacturing, and Food Service, she has dedicated nearly four decades to training others in Recruitment, Communication, Team Building, HR, Supervisory Skills, and beyond. As a consultant, trainer, and coach, she zeroes in on inventive yet practical strategies for the modern workplace, divulging her secrets for aiding and guiding others. She captivates, inspires, and propels participants towards personal growth and skill enhancement, all while fostering introspection. Her workshops are characterized as humorous, slightly eccentric, and immensely educational, offering excellent tools, applicable frameworks, and invaluable insights, coupled with compelling stories and pertinent experiences.

Deborah's Presentation

10:00 - 11:00 am - How to Build Your Employee “Leaders” Through Mentorship

Elena Reyes-Santos 
Senior Safety Management Consultant  

Elena currently serves as a Senior Safety Management Consultant for Saif, bringing extensive occupational safety experience. She has developed and implemented comprehensive health and safety procedures for the manufacturing and agricultural industries. Her previous roles have included coordinating and conducting training programs, leading safety committees, designing programs to reduce hazards, and ensuring regulatory compliance. As a Saif Consultant, she enjoys applying her learnings from these experiences and is motivated by the ability to reach different industries to foster safer work environments.

Elena's Presentation

Gabriel Barajaas
Regional Trainer Oregon SW Washington, Pacific Landscape Management

This year Gabriel (Gabby) celebrated his 23rd year in the landscape profession as well as his 23rd anniversary with Pacific Landscape Management. Gabby joined Pacific as they were founded and has grown with the company through his career from laborer to foreman to field manager and now as director of training for their 6 Oregon and SW Washington branches.

Gabby is an OLCA/NALP Landscape Industry Certified as well as an Oregon Certified Pesticide Applicator. He has attended countless industry related seminars and classes. He currently organizes the field training for Pacific’s 300 field employees and has helped countless develop from laborer to foreman to field manager as he did.

Gabby is passionate about operational perfection and efficiency as well as employee personal development. As an immigrant who has acclimated into American society and developed his professional skill as well as those around him, Gabby is excited to share his thoughts and wisdom to those who aspire to develop their skill and make the move from the field to supervision and management.

Este año Gabriel (Gabby) celebró su 23.º año en la profesión del paisaje, así como su 23.º aniversario en Pacific Landscape Management. Gabby se unió a Pacific cuando se fundaron y ha crecido con la empresa a lo largo de su carrera, desde obrero hasta capataz, gerente de campo y ahora como director de capacitación para sus seis sucursales en Oregón y el suroeste de Washington.

Gabby está certificado en la industria paisajística por OLCA/NALP, así como en aplicador de pesticidas certificada en Oregón. Y Washington. Ha asistido a innumerables seminarios y clases relacionados con la industria. Actualmente organiza la capacitación de campo para los 300 empleados de campo de Pacific y ha ayudado a innumerables personas a desarrollarse, desde obreros hasta capataces y gerentes de campo, como él lo hizo.

A Gabby le apasiona la perfección y la eficiencia operativa, así como el desarrollo personal de los empleados. Como inmigrante que se ha aclimatado a la sociedad estadounidense y ha desarrollado sus habilidades profesionales, así como las de quienes lo rodean, Gabby está entusiasmada de compartir sus pensamientos y sabiduría con aquellos que aspiran a desarrollar sus habilidades y pasar del campo a la supervisión y la gestión.

Gabriel's Presentation

 8:00 - 9:00 am - Leadership Ladder

Greg Forsyth
Sales Manager—North Coast 
Greg Forsyth has been the Oregon Sales Manager for Hunter Industries and FX Luminaire since 2016.  He started in the industry in 1996 working at the first Hunter distributor in the state of Oregon.  Spending over 20 years in wholesale distribution, he was able to work his way through the ranks from delivery driver to territory manager.  While in distribution he earned several awards including both a Hunter Trailblazer and an FX Trailblazer, proving his commitment to being a valuable resource for his customers and other professionals in the industry.  During his time in Southern Oregon, he was a member of the Medford Water Commission Water Conservation Site Development Committee helping to write the smart water regulations for irrigation in the Rogue Valley.  Outside of his professional pursuits, he has raised 4 children with his wife Tisha, and they spend their time together doing various outdoor and automotive hobbies. 

Greg's Presentations

12:00 -1:00 pm Lighting Demonstration
2:00 – 3:00 pm Wireless Valve Installation and Troubleshooting

Justin Horlacher
Wholesale Sales Representative, Marion Ag Service

With over two decades in the Turf and Ornamental markets, Justin Horlacher is a veteran in fertilizer and professional plant protection products. They specialize in strategic partnerships and sustainable solutions, with a particular emphasis on advancing safety, efficacy, and environmental stewardship. A graduate of Oregon State University, Justin Horlacher is dedicated to delivering presentations and practical guidance that promote best practices in their specialized fields.

Justin's Presentation

 3:15 - 4:15 pm - Understanding Common Landscape Treatments: Applications, Best Practices, and Innovations

Laurie Grenya
President and Owner, HR Answers, Inc.

Laurie possesses over two decades of HR experience, predominantly in the public sector, with the past six years focused on private and non-profit sectors too. Her extensive expertise encompasses compensation, classification, employee relations, HR system management, training, recruitment, organizational design, labor negotiations, interest arbitration, and mediation. She is passionate about efficient management and has a sharp eye for innovative solutions that align with best practices and acceptable risks. Laurie is highly experienced in engaging with executives, managers, and staff in both group settings and individual meetings to convey and discuss information, lead or facilitate discussions. Her programs are noted for their practicality and clarity in explaining the often complex legislative and legal compliance requirements facing employers.

Laurie's Presentation

8:00 - 9:00 am Unlock the Secrets to Employee Attraction & Retention for Landscape Contractors!

Lydia Cox
Owner/Designer, Radish Gardens 

Ryan Mattison
Field Service Manager—Pacific Northwest & Western Canada

Ryan has been in the Green Industry most of his life, growing up in Southern California working at his family’s retail nursery as a child, and later working for his family’s landscape maintenance company in North Idaho. He started his own company in 2007 in Coeur d’Alene, ID focusing on commercial maintenance and high-end residential landscape construction. In 2015 he entered the distribution channel as an outside sales representative to gain more industry knowledge and experience. In 2018 he went to work for a national lighting manufacturer as a district sales manager, and moved his family from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to Aurora, Oregon. In May of 2019 he joined Hunter Industries as a Field Service Manager. Ryan provides on-site technical troubleshooting and training in the Northwest United States and Western Canada. Outside of work he enjoys snowboarding, fishing, traveling and coaching his children in sports.

Ryan's Presentation

12:00 -1:00 pm Lighting Demonstration
2:00 – 3:00 pm Wireless Valve Installation and Troubleshooting

Teresa Portillo
Product promotor, MSI 

With over a decade of dedicated experience in the artificial turf industry Teresa has learned a lot. Teresa is passionate about enhancing landscapes and find joy in teaching and mentoring installers, equipping them with the skills and insights necessary for successful turf installations.

Teresa's Presentation

3:15 – 4:15 pm Turf Installation

Tom Glazener
Site Irrigation Manager 

Tom Glazener has been in the irrigation industry since early 1994, having worked in manufacturing, distribution and contracting.  He has been and Irrigation Association trainer since 2007, and has taught irrigation professionals across the United States and internationally.  He currently works with the irrigation management team at Pacific Sports Turf in Tualatin, OR. 

Tom's Presentation

10:00 – 11:00 am - Central Control: Definitions and Considerations When Choosing a Platform

Zebadiah Wade 
Risk Manager 

Zebadiah Wade joined LaPorte in November of 2022. Zebadiah has been in the insurance industry for the past 10 years; with his most recent role being a Partner at a Corporate Finance Firm. Zebadiah specializes in Succession/Transition Planning, MicroCaptive Insurance Companies, and identifying risks to owner balance sheets. He is an avid outdoorsman, spending most of his free time enjoying being outside free of cell service. He is passionate about his non-profit (Anchors Outdoor Adventures) and helping business owners understand their risks.

Zebadiah's Presentation

3:15 – 4:15 pm - Ownership Strategies