Snow Talk with SIMA

Starting over with a new outlook on life and business featuring HLM Property Management’s Rick Huffman, CSP

Introspection, coaching leads to exponential growth featuring Bozeman Site Services’ Doug Duschene

Catch up with Bob Iverson of Douglas Dynamics to talk spreader tech and the future of ice control.

Matt Steele, a 2021 Snow Operations Manager of the Year award recipient, along with his General Manager George Armstrong, discuss industry personnel development, and logistics and training. In their respective roles, they have helped Monster Plowing Company in Toronto, Ontario grow its snow business. Monster Plowing Company services over 450 seasonal clients and has been awarded many times for its...

Doug Clark is Product Manager, Snow Control, for Douglas Dynamics. He oversees product development and innovation for all truck-related snow control products for various brands, including Western Plows and Fisher Plows. Doug has an extensive background in product management for various industries, including the polymer industry. He served 4 years active duty in the Army and 8 years reserve militar...

Tom Crawford is Snow & Ice Services Manager for Mariani Landscape, which provides service to high-end residential and commercial clients in suburban Chicago. He has 20+ years of experience in operations and management for the green and white industries.

Diana Clonch has over 35 years of experience in public works with a diverse background in operations, management, snow and ice control and innovative technologies at the county, city and state levels. She is a founding and longtime member of the National APWA Winter Maintenance Subcommittee, and a member of the TRB Maintenance & Operations Personnel Committee and Winter Maintenance Committee. Dian...

Tyler Jones serves as Product Manager for Douglas Dynamics. He has a long history of recreational use of ATV’s and UTV’s, and brings that passion to his role in aiding in the development of products for those vehicles in a snow management setting.

Bob Young is a retired police officer and Army veteran and is President/CEO of K.E.Y. Property Services, Inc. in Palmer, MA. He has been an engaged and passionate member of SIMA since 2010.

Paul has 35+ years of experience in the snow industry, leading his company with his brothers in residential and commercial accounts. He is an active member of SIMA, past member of the board of directors, and currently serves as Vice Chair for the SIMA Foundation board.

Bob Marks is an experienced snow professional, who recently served as COO of emi landscape in Macungie, PA, overseeing a multi-million dollar operation, hiring personnel, developing training, and serving as the primary contact for clients. Bob recently took ownership of emi and is stepping into the CEO role.

Mary Abbott, PhD, RN, MSF, is the managing partner of Mow Beta! Mowing & Snowplowing, a family-owned business specializing in tough mowing jobs as well as snow and ice management in central Arkansas. Mary shares the stressors and successes of being a snow contractor in a fringe market where snow droughts can last years.

We sat down with Seth Bergerud, Product Manager - Parts & Accessories for Douglas Dynamics, and caught up on the latest innovations and best practices related to snowplows and accessories.

Dale Keep, owner of Ice & Snow Technologies, in Walla Walla, WA, is a long-time industry leader and SIMA supporter. He’s an industry expert in operations engineering, training, deicer science, and liquids benefits and implementation. SIMA caught up with Dale to talk about the industry, how its matured, what makes it challenging, and a whole lot more.

Wayne Michalak, CSP is the founder of The Greener Side in Michigan. His business career started at the age of 10 when he began towing his parent’s lawn mower down the street behind his bike to mow a couple of lawns. Today, The Greener Side Inc. services 180 high-end commercial accounts and utilizes over 100 contractors and employees. He is a husband and father of 3 wonderful kids, and is currently...

"I like people second guessing and saying 'I don't think she can do that,' because my reaction is 'Watch me'." Laura Ingram, CSP is a second-generation snow contractor who serves as Director of Operations for Ingram Enterprises, co-running the business with her father and her sister. Having grown up in the snow industry, she trained as a math teacher and taught for several years before coming back...

Michael Anderson, CSP is the founder and president of Snow & Ice Pros, Inc. in Highland, IN. He has over 25 years of experience in the snow industry and was the first Certified Snow Professional in Indiana. Michael has served the industry in many capacities, including as SIMA Board Chair and as a key engaged volunteer for many years. He has helped mentor many snow professionals and continues to he...

Xtreme Snow Pros is a snow-only contracting company based that services areas of New York and New Jersey. Chris Marino, ASM serves as the Chief Visionary Officer of the company, managing all aspects of the business with his wife Dawn. Chris is a long-time advocate for the snow industry and recently joined SIMA’s Board of Directors to continue to give back to the industry he loves.

Signature Land Services was formed by Jennifer and Tim Schrage as a premier provider of asphalt paving, asphalt maintenance, site work, and commercial snow removal in the Anchorage market. Jen is company president and oversees major client relations, marketing, and contract management; Tim serves as vice president.

Jay Rotennelli, ASM, is a snow veteran with 20+ years of experience in the industry. As VP of Business Development at Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in Maine, Jay helps organize and manage client relationships, subcontractors, and more. His passion for the industry has led to his involvement in SIMA and the New Hampshire Green SnowPros program, allowing him to engage and help mentor fellow...

As part of our Operations series, we are speaking with Nick Sharf, CSP, Operations Efficiency Manager. Greg’s Lawn and Landscaping.

Steve Wheatcroft is an entrepreneur with many years of experience leading in snow, as well as starting and growing new companies and initiatives. He currently serves as CEO of ULS, a large landscaping design, construction and maintenance company that specializes in snow and ice management. He also is the founder of Spectrum Equipment, which provides end-to-end equipment management solutions, inclu...

John Janes speaks upon his role at Caterpillar and how he has built a foundation of partnership with the snow and ice industry. He also describes how his military experience molded his journey into developing his work ethic and establishing the rules of leadership that guides him to this day.