Allegiance Award Winners

Bill Schnetz Wins 2024 Allegiance Award

Bill Schnetz Wins 2024 Allegiance Award

In recognition of his years of service and leadership, the California Landscape Contractors Association presented Bill Schnetz with its Allegiance Award, the association’s most prestigious honor.

The award, which is given only to a green industry professional who has been a member of the association for a minimum of 15 years and who has had a significant effect on the industry, was presented during the association’s 2025 Leadership Conference, held January 14 and 15.

Each Allegiance Award winner has served on at least three of the association’s committees, task forces or boards for a total of 10 years. They are the driving force of many of the association’s most innovative and substantial programs and efforts.


“Bill’s direct and honest efforts to drive member benefit programs demonstrate his passion to pay it forward.”


Previous Winners

2023
Regan Barry
2022
Heath Bedal
Steve Jacobs
2021
Elizabeth Burns
Javier Lesaca
2020
Frank Niccoli
Tom Noonan
2019
Jerrie Beard
2018
Mike Baron
2017
Marianne Estournes
Eric Watanabe
2016
Wendy Emeterio
Chris McNairy
2015
Henry Buder
2014
Dave Norred
Pete Dufau
2013
Barbara Alvarez
2012
Jon Singley
2011
Robert Crudup
2010
Scott McGilvray
Gary Vallen
2009
Gordon Larson
2008
Peter Estournes
2007
Allen Chariton
Tom Ellington
2006
Dave Penry
Cindy Strauss
2005
Jay Tripathi
2004
Fred Hanker
2003
Jon Alsdorf
2002
Anthony Bertotti
Mary Cohen
2001
John Redmond, Jr.
Awarded posthumously
2000
Charles Nunley
1999
Lebo Newman
1998
Richard Cohen
1995
Timothy Nord
1994
Richard Angelo clt
1993
Herbert S. Frank
Awarded posthumously
1992
Mickey Strauss
1990
Barry Cohen
Nelson Colvin
Roger Fiske

To the benefit of CLCA and its members, Bill has been a champion of green industry professionalism.

Over the years, he has created and coordinated numerous CLCA programs to help landscape contractors become better leaders and more successful businesspeople. More importantly, he encouraged his CLCA colleagues to become better people, with a focus on obtaining an appropriate work-life balance, empowering employees and driving innovation.

Bill is a CLCA Life Member. In addition to serving as CLCA President in 2010, he has chaired the Events and Education committees and championed several educational programs, including peer consulting, the Red to Black to Green program and How to Make Money in Your Landscape Business workshops. He is a frequent speaker and trainer for CLCA members, most recently presenting an all-day workshop at the association’s 2024 convention in Newport Beach.

As one member who nominated him for the award noted, Bill’s direct and honest efforts to drive member benefit programs demonstrate his passion to pay it forward. He exemplifies what it means to give back to the landscape industry and the future of California’s green industry.