BRIAN PAIGE
Bob RECEIVES Mann Receives BEACON Beacon AWARD Award
BRIAN PAIGE
Bob RECEIVES Mann Receives BEACON Beacon AWARD Award
On June 17, 2026 MALP members gathered to celebrate an exceptional moment in the landscape industry: Bob Mann, NALP’ s Senior Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs was honored with MALP’ s highest recognition— the Beacon Award.
The award was presented by MALP past president and longtime GIA representative, Brian Paige, MCLP of Paige Landscaping. Brian recognized Bob for his unwavering commitment to standing up for the green industry. The following is an excerpt from Brian’ s comments:
“ For decades, Bob Mann has championed sciencebased decision-making on behalf of the green industry. He has done so with integrity, good humor, and a deep appreciation for the power of collaboration. His influence has been enormous, even if he would be the first person to tell you it was a team effort.
A graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture and UMass Amherst, Bob earned degrees in Turf Management and Agricultural Economics. His career has spanned turf care, commercial landscape operations, and ownership of his own lawn care company on Cape Cod.
As a business owner on the Cape, Bob became involved in legislative advocacy to help defend and advance our industry. And somewhere along the way, he discovered something surprising: he actually enjoyed it.
Trust me, not many people hear the words‘ regulatory affairs’ and think,‘ Now that ' s where I want to spend my time.’ But Bob found his calling. He became someone who genuinely enjoys working with legislators and regulators, and the rest of us have benefited from that ever since.
That enthusiasm eventually led him to NALP, where he has become one of the most respected voices in our industry on regulatory and technical issues.
One of the qualities I admire most about Bob is the way he describes his role. He says he ' s essentially a teacher of lawn and landscape practices. That simple description captures his approach perfectly. Bob excels at building relationships, connecting people, and ensuring that decisions are grounded in sound science and the facts. Bob helps others outside our industry understand who we are and what we do. He reminds policymakers that we are professionals, environmental stewards, and practitioners who rely on science to guide our work.
His message to all of us who use water, fertilizers, and plant protection products in serving our customers is clear: change is coming, and we need to be prepared. Tonight, we recognize not only Bob ' s professional accomplishments, but also his unwavering commitment to educating, advocating, and elevating our profession.”
As Brian concluded, the room erupted with a resounding round of applause. Bob then took the stage, visibly moved, to accept the Beacon Award and thank the professional community that has supported him throughout his journey.
A quick“ sit down” with Bob Mann
Can you give us a little history about your career path?
My Dad was the superintendent at the Ridder Golf Club in East Bridgewater. On the weekends, my brother and I would“ help” him change the cups. I would pull the stick for nine holes, then pull the cup liner for the other nine, swapping with my brother. I was probably five when we started doing this. My Dad brought us along, so we didn’ t drive my mother completely crazy. Wages: scrambled eggs & bacon at the farm stand once we finished.
What’ s the best business advice you ever received?
Learn to cull your customers. Throughout my career dealing with the 5 % of customers that give you a hard time, argue about everything, call you constantly, make you drive all over town, withhold payment, etc. makes your life absolutely miserable and takes you away from servicing the other 95 % that love what you’ re doing for them. Learn how to say“ no”. Paraphrasing General James Mattus,“ Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to fire any customer that monopolizes your time.”
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