2022 FNGLA Industry Award Winners Announced!
FNGLA will host the 2022 Annual Convention on June 23-25 to be held at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resorts in Orlando. A few select members will receive well-earned recognition and awards in one of eight categories during the convention. We are proud to announce that one of those being recognized is (drumroll please)…
FNGLA Young Professional Award Winner!
Vice President
Jenkins Landscape Company
Erin’s professional credits from FNGLA include FNGLA Certified Horticultural Professional (FCHP), FNGLA Certified Maintenance Technician (FCLMT), and FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT).
In addition, Erin has been a member of the FNGLA state board, serving on the certification committee since 2014.
Not neglecting her involvement locally, Erin was selected for the Treasure Coast Chapter’s board in 2018. Shortly after which, she was nominated and elected Vice President in 2019. And then to President in 2021, for which she will hopefully serve until May 2023.
Seeing the need for a certification exam site on the Treasure Coast, Erin opened Jenkins Landscape’s nursery office off Bridge Road to become a host. Not only does she host the certification exams, she provides a training day prior to the exam. These training events are open to everyone and usually bring people from all over the state.
In the Summer of 2021, Erin taught a 17-week FNGLA Certified Horticultural Professional (FCHP) certification class and has another class starting May 2022. These classes are not just for Jenkins Landscape employees, they are open to anyone in the landscape industry.
Under Erin’s leadership, Jenkins became one of the first apprenticeship participation employers in the State with FNGLA’s Nursery and Landscape Apprenticeship Program. A recently hired apprentice in our Irrigation Department is the first in the entire state to go through this newly funded grant program with FNGLA.
Finally, Erin is constantly promoting the certification program through FNGLA, not only within Jenkins Landscape Company for their own employees, but even with their competitors —all of which validate Erin’s skills and expertise in the landscape industry and enhance her leadership skills.
“The more companies that embrace the certifications and train their employees, the more we can do for our environment as well as our industry. Landscapers are not regulated by the state like other trades. The only thing we have to distinguish one company from another are certifications through the FNGLA. The other thing I really like about the certification program is what it does for the employees. When an employee receives their certification, it really improves their skills, confidence and knowledge.”
—Erin Jenkins Banas
In fact, all Jenkins Landscape employees are encouraged to earn FNGLA certifications…and Erin will pick up the tab.