OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Doug Donahue - Ewing Irrigation

As a residential and commercial sales representative for Ewing, Doug Donahue is responsible for providing irrigation supplies and solutions to large commercial irrigation and landscape contractors and municipalities.  Based out of Ewing’s Mesa branch, located t 1921 South Horne Road, Doug’s territory covers the Greater Phoenix region.  He also makes monthly visits to the northern part of the state to support Ewing’s customer base in Prescott and Flagstaff.

Doug comes to Ewing with over 30 years of industry experience, and brings along many loyal customers that he gained throughout that time.  Prior to joining Ewing, Doug spent 17 years with Rain Bird in several different capacities, including District Manager in the Midwest and Contractor Account Manager in the southwest.  He has also worked in outside sales for two Arizona landscape distributors, serving the golf, residential, commercial and municipal irrigation markets.

“I strive to serve my customers in a timely manner,” says Doug, “I always try to do what I say I’m going to do.  My passion is customer service.”

Doug earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Arizona State University and is Ewing’s liaison for the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association.  He has been instrumental in revising the curriculum and providing instruction for the irrigation section of ALCA’s AZ Certified Landscape Professional program as well as the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance program.  He has taught over 20 workshops in 2012 alone; helping over 400 contractors reach their SLM and ACLP certification goals.

Outside of work, Doug’s interest include genealogy, golf, and spending time with wife, Debbee, and their five children, Chris, 30; Sean, 29; Jordan, 21; Katelyn, 19; and Allison, 16.

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Sarah Maitland - CareScape

Sarah Maitland has been involved in the Horticulture Industry for over 20 years and for the past 4 years has made CareScape a part of her family.  Sarah holds a degree in Horticulture from Kichaukee College; is a Certified Arborist and a Certified Tree Risk Assessor. She is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists and currently working to become a Registered Consulting Arborist.

Sarah is the Customer Care Consultant for CareScape.  She is involved with customer education and training programs for CareScape’s staff. She handles plant diagnosis, soil testing, fertilization and treatment.

Sarah is a strong supporter of ALCA’s Sustainable Landscape Management program and instructs its certification program as well as the training for SLM for the Arizona Association of Community Managers.  

Sarah Maitland moved to Arizona from Illinois with her late husband, Gary in 1996.  She has 3 beautiful daughters that she is actively involved with; Tiffiny 19, Shannon 23, and Lisa 28. She is engaged to Greg Carroll whom she met in 2008. Sarah is a former world class trampolinist and long distance runner.  She enjoys bird watching, gardening, hiking and camping in the wilderness.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Chris Niccum - Sonoran Gardens

Mowing lawns at the young age of 10, Chris Niccum has nearly 50 years of experience in the landscape industry.  Chris earned his degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Purdue University in 1978.  After graduation, he found employment in Dallas, TX and Twin Falls, Idaho before receiving the opportunity to work in the Caribbean; gaining 10 years of unforgettable experiences. 

Chris moved to Tucson nearly 25 years ago again, working as a landscape supervisor for The Westin LaPaloma. 

In 1998, using his personal pickup, a wheelbarrow and the help of an old friend, he started Sonoran Gardens.  The company has continuous grown; installing beautiful high end landscape projects with the help of 19 employees, various landscape designers and local subcontractors. 

Chris, along with Manager Roberta Braegelmann, has pioneered Custom Care Maintenance, a service that has set the standard in high quality landscape maintenance.  Earlier this year, Chris merged with The Contained Gardener offering contained designs as an exclusive new service.

Sonoran Gardens has been the recipient of more than 20 ALCA Landscaping Awards and numerous Xeriscape and international APLD awards.   Chris has been a member of ALCA for many years and has led the industry establishing a high standard of excellence in service and leadership in the landscape industry.

When Chris has the time, he loves working in his own garden, which includes both ornamental and vegetable gardens.  He is an avid runner, keeping himself in great shape.  He enjoys bird watching but his very favorite pastime is playing with his granddaughters.