Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Robert Crudup

President, Valley Crest Tree Company

 

Robert Crudup joined Valley Crest Tree Company in 1979 as a sales and customer service representative. Over the course of his career, he contributed to the strategic growth of the company through various leadership positions in business development, operations, management and, eventually, as an officer of the company. As senior vice president, Robert represented the division on a team that created the overall strategic plan for ValleyCrest Companies.

Robert’s achievements are many.  As a company executive, he opened new markets and operations in Sunol and Farmington in Northern California, and developed the company's growing grounds in Fillmore, California.  Today Robert oversees the company’s growing grounds and tree nurseries and its specimen tree moving operation.

As a nursery industry leader, Robert’s career trajectory with Valley Crest Tree Company parallels his significant accomplishments as an industry steward. His industry commitments include serving on the boards of the California Landscape Contractors Association and the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers where he is currently a member of its Strategic Planning Committee tasked with crafting the future direction of the association.  He is a member of the Nursery Growers Leadership Board and serves as the president of the Nursery Growers Association. In addition, he has been recognized with numerous awards saluting his contributions to professional horticulture including three times as the CLCA’s Associate Member of the Year, Life Membership, and the Allegiance Award which is that organizations highest and most prestigious award.

He was appointed by then Secretary of Agriculture William Lyons as an original member of the Governor’s Advisory Task Force for Pierce’s Disease (in cooperation with the California Department of Food & Agriculture) and the Specialty Crop Grant Advisory Committee.  He is a current nominee for a position on the California Food and Agriculture Board which advises the governor on issues related to agriculture.  Robert takes an active role as a spokesperson for legislative and regulatory issues regarding water, labor, regulation, and trees and their role in the sustainable urban landscape and has represented the industry in both Sacramento and Washington D.C.

Robertachieved the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with B.S. in Resource Management. As president of one of the nation’s leading tree nurseries and tree moving operations, he oversees a tree nursery operation that includes nearly 800-acres in production throughout California. The company's growing facilities include 400-acres in Fillmore, 70-acres in Sunol and 300-acres in Farmington.