ALUM OF THE MONTH: MICHAEL MLADENOFF, SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER AT MULHALL’S NURSERY IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA
June 3, 2019Michael Mladenoff graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture with an emphasis on Landscape Design in December of 2013. Michael is from is from Rockford, IL.
Michael’s major job responsibilities include performing take-offs/estimates and bids for all new commercial landscape construction. Being the on-site point-of-contact for all new commercial landscape installs. Managing 3-5 crews daily with various tasks, whether it be a new install or exterior landscape maintenance.
We asked Michael what he likes most about his job. “The thing I honestly enjoy the most is interacting and having fun with my crews. They’re great guys who appreciate the physical work that they do and being told that they do great work, which they do. Since I mostly work with new commercial projects, I enjoy receiving a site with nothing but bare soil and managing that project all the way through – seeing it transform into a professional landscape. Once sod gets installed, it’s like icing on the cake. It makes everything come together and look completed.”
Following is the advice Michael offers to current students: If you are going into the landscape industry, whether as a designer, manager, or foreman, previous work experience is always huge. Our industry is always changing, whether it is new plant cultivars, new types of disease or insect problems, job site challenges, or even weather. Experience in dealing with those types of challenges helps to benefit you in being ahead of the game and knowing how to work around or through those changes.