Board Members
* = Denotes Deceased

Mickey Strauss brings over 45 years of experience in all aspects of the construction and landscape industry. Since launching his landscape career, Mickey has been involved in planning, estimating, purchasing and executing millions of dollars worth of projects. His experience in corporate finance and contract law is a complimentary balance to his many years as a field superintendent and on-site project coordinator.

In 1975, Mickey was named "Man of the Year" of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). The oldest and largest landscape trade association in the United States. This prestigious recognition was given for his local efforts to establish an effective program for improving professional standards within the landscape industry.

In 1976, he was elected President of the Valley Chapter. At the Association's annual convention in November of 1980, he was named California's "Man of the Year" for his statewide involvement and efforts to improve the landscape industry throughout California and then was elected State President of CLCA in 1981.

Mickey is a past President of the California Landscape and Irrigation Council, Inc. (CLIC), a trade association of union affiliated companies specializing in public works and commercial landscaping. He served as President of CLIC in 1985, 1990, and 1995 and again in 1999. From 1985 until 2007 he served as the Chairman of the Labor Negotiating Committee for CLIC and was responsible for negotiating labor agreements with the Southern California District Council of Laborers. In addition he is also was active member of the negotiating committee with the Southern California Pipe Trades, District Council 16.

Mickey has served as a judge for many of CLCA's Certified Landscape Technician Tests. A program designed to test landscaper's abilities, to certify their qualifications and to maintain high standards throughout the industry. He has also served as a judge for numerous local and Statewide CLCA Trophy Awards programs, as well as the Los Angeles Beautiful Awards programs and California Landscape Architectural Student Scholarship Fund (Class Fund) Landscape awards.

Mickey served as President of the Greater Los Angeles Green Industry Council (CGIC), a coalition to facilitate the interaction of member professional associations dedicated to the enhancement of the landscape environment. Mickey was also appointed as Director and Secretary of the Council for a Green Environment (CGE), a coalition of businessmen and associates in the ornamental horticulture industries with its main purpose to promote the benefits of a green environment and to counteract negative publicity generated by the drought throughout California. In 1996, he was appointed to serve on the California State Assembly's "Select Committee for Construction Issues" to further improve the construction industry in California.

Mickey also serves on The Board of Directors of Golden Oak Co-op Corporation, an industry co-op to provide services, information, and education and negotiate the best insurance value for members of CLCA, Birch Financial, Inc., an Insurance premium and equipment finance company.  Landscape Contractors Insurance Services Inc., an insurance brokerage company designed to provide CLCA members the best and most complete group insurance programs. Mickey is also the Chairman of CLCA’s Benevolent Fund, a program to offer assistance to members in time of need.

As a Contractor, Mickey holds a A-General Engineering, B-General Building, C8-Concrete, and C27- Landscape Contractors License.

Other awards and recognitions that Mickey has received are CLCA’s Allegiance Award (1992), CLCA’s Woman’s Auxiliary Knight of the Garter (1987), and CLCA Orange County Chapter’s Meridian Award (2005). Mickey continues to be an active member of CLCA, serving as Vice Chairman of CLCA’s Landscape Political Action Committee (LANDPAC), member of CLCA’s Immigration Task Force and Legislation Committee.

Mickey resides in Chatsworth with his wife of 40 years, Lucinda (Cindy). They have two sons, Jeff who works for a small landscape contractor in the San Fernando Valley, and Jason who is a sales representative for American Landscape, Inc. At end of 2006, Mickey sold his interest in American Landscape, Inc., for which he owned for 34 years. Unable to sit still Mickey has started a new landscape venture. MSM Landscape Services, Inc., located in Sylmar, CA.

When asked why he spends so much time with the industry involvement, Mickey quotes Theodore Roosevelt:

"Every professional man should put back some of the monetary benefits he has taken from his industry by serving that industry with his efforts, his time and his money."