Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the HILA Class of 2025 print edition of Nursery Management under the headline “A legacy of growth.”
At Legacy Labor, we’ve always believed that growth is about more than what you produce — it’s about how you show up, who you serve and the values you carry forward.
That’s why we’re honored to sponsor the 2025 Horticultural Industries Leadership Awards (HILA). This event celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of the industry — not just through their innovation, but through their integrity. They lead with heart. They invest in people. And they cultivate something that lasts.
As former growers ourselves, we understand the weight of a season, the power of a strong team and the responsibility of leadership. Our work today is rooted in those same principles: reliability, humility and service. We believe relationships matter more than transactions. We believe that labor isn’t just a logistical challenge — it’s a human story. And we believe that showing up with consistency and care is what earns trust in the long run.
The Horticultural Industries Leadership Awards Class of 2025 exemplifies these same values. They are mentors, risk-takers and visionaries who remind us what good leadership looks like in real time. Their legacy is already evident — in the operations they’ve shaped, the people they’ve empowered and the standards they’ve raised for us all.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
- Bill Dewar, Dewar Nurseries
- Belal El-Hassan, Hendriks Greenhouses
- Heather Gronek, Plant Development Services, Inc.
- Tom Knezick, Pinelands Nursery
- Gary Neels, Qualitree
- Susie Raker, Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants
- John Gaydos, Proven Winners, Lifetime Achievement Award
Your leadership strengthens the roots of this industry and nurtures the future of horticulture. We’re proud to celebrate your achievements and grateful for the example you set.
Here’s to a legacy that continues to grow, together.
With appreciation,
Justin Bartlett
Co-CEO
Legacy Labor, Inc.
Explore the HILA Class of 2025 Issue
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