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 Scofield*

ValleyCrest Tree Co.

 

Robert (Bob) Scofield was raised in Watsonville, California. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with a BS in Ornamental Horticulture in 1953. At Cal Poly SLO, he participated in many activities including the Cal Poly band. While at Cal Poly he fell in love with one of the local town girls, Martye who became his wife.

After graduation, he went to work for the J. Harold Mitchell Company in San Gabriel as an Arborist and Pest Control Applicator. At this same time, he went back to school and received a California Certificate in Turf grass Management from UCLA in 1955. He worked for the OM Scotts Company from 1959 – 1964 as a field research technician and Agronomist covering the 7 western states doing new product development for the golf and landscape industries. From 1964 until 1970 he worked as a supplier representative to the horticulture, turf and landscape industries for Bar-C-K Inc. and Robinson Fertilizer Company.

In 1970, he went to work for the newly formed division of Valley Crest Landscape Companies; Environmental Care Inc., which later became Environmental Industries.  Bob was instrumental in the development of this, the maintenance division of Valley Crest Landscape. Mr. Scofield opened the first ECI maintenance branch office and served in many capacities including the senior management capacity of Vice President of Corporate Relations throughout his many years with the company.

 He served as an agronomist and managed contracting and maintenance for both municipal and private golf courses in his 38 year career. Mr. Scofield oversaw the golf management operations of ECI and worked closely with clients, helping them meet their goals. Bob’s contributions to the Green Industry came with his involvement and his development of industry professionals that he came in contact with. Higher education in the green industry continued to be important to Mr. Scofield throughout his career. He was an ever present face at recruiting events at the colleges and universities encouraging students and young people to build a career in this business.

  It did not matter if the individual ending up working for ECI or not, Bob took an interest in the people he met and gave each an opportunity to get involved. He followed up with them. He served as a mentor to many women and men in the Green Industry. Bob’s friendly persona was a staple at many industry events.  The depth of his interest in people was evident by the number of attendees at his retirement party. His commitment to Valley Crest and Environmental Industries was codified with his company’s endowment of a scholarship at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Bob’s name. Many students in Ornamental and Environmental Horticulture have and will continue to benefit from this scholarship.

Mr. Scofield’s passion for higher education was shown in his service to several institutions and their educational landscape councils, including;

University of California, Riverside - Chancellors Agriculture Advisory Council, California Polytechnic State University – College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Dean’s Advisory Council California State Polytechnic, Pomona - Ornamental Horticulture Advisory Committee

Associated Landscape Contractors of America - Curriculum Committee