Page 77 - Free State Spring 2023_WEB

Profile: Zachary Jones 7. Track data and find
ways to improve
Studied at: University of Maryland, College Park - Plant
Science: Landscape Management (the last person to the business, such
graduate from UMD in this program) as wasted time,
wasted plant
Awarded: MNLGA Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship material, tool
2019 checks, equipment

How did you hear about the scholarship, or what maintenance, etc.
prompted you to apply? 8. Manage
My professors/advisors encouraged me to apply technology and the
and become involved with the MNLGA because it implementation
could open doors for my career. Additionally, having few of new equipment
people studying in this field, coupled with my experience/ with the System
involvement in the industry, made me a good candidate. Administrator
Zachary Jones
How did the scholarship help with your studies? 9. Send out a weekly Photo Credit to: Erin B. Bogan.
email to all field
managers to set expectations for the week
It played a significant role in helping me pay for tuition
and room/board for the year. Luckily, as an in-state What would you like MNLGA members to know about
student, my costs were fairly manageable, but it was their investment in you?
great not to rely solely on the money I had made from my The MNLGA members should know how grateful I am
summer internships. to this day for having received the scholarship. My
What kind of work are you currently doing in the time in the green industry has been nothing short of great.
green industry? I have met new people, gained experience, and made
connections that I never would have considered possible
I am currently a Maintenance Production Facilitator for just a few years ago. The MNLGA played a huge role in
McHale Landscape Design Inc. in Upper Marlboro, MD. allowing me to flourish and opening those doors for me.
We are a high-end residential design/build firm. It’s special to be a part of an industry that is constantly

In my role, I perform the following tasks: Production moving the needle forward to becoming better and has
Facilitator for MD, DC, & VA a supportive community of people. My experiences have
inspired me to try my best to leave a lasting mark on an
1. Assist in setting up MD, DC & VA Maintenance Crews in
industry that has poured so much into me, and I want to
the morning with materials, tools, equipment, proper
pour back into it for the next generation. I want to have
PPE, etc.
confidence in knowing I did everything I could in order to
2. Worksheet reviewing and ensuring all production notes make this industry the best that it could be.
are accurate
What piece of advice do you think would be helpful
3. Forecasting schedules for MD, DC, & VA maintenance for others following in your footsteps?
crews for the coming weeks to assess needs for
material, equipment, POs, PPE, etc., and make My advice is to take every opportunity you can
appropriate preparations to network, go to industry events, and never stop
learning. This industry is always changing, and you
4. Unload, manage, and tag plant material and other can never get comfortable/stagnant, or you will get left
hard goods for designated jobs in MD, DC & VA regions behind. Try to push the boundaries, be the one to ask

5. Facilitate, schedule, and execute field training and hard questions, and think outside the box on how to
safety meetings division-wide (MD, DC, & VA) make improvements. There is a lot of really innovative
equipment and software on the market to make the labor
6. Ensure all maintenance division equipment is on a burden easier, and jobs more exciting, but we are not
regular maintenance schedule
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