Snow & Ice Management Association

Jim Hornung Jr. is the president of Elbers Landscape Service Inc., a landscaping, snow and ice management services company serving commercial and residential customers throughout Western New York since 1919. Jim is also vice president of Great Lakes Athletic Fields, an athletic field service, construction, maintenance and consultation company he started with his father in 2003. A graduate of Canisius College and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Jim was named Volunteer of the Year by SIMA in 2008.  He also belongs to the New York State Nursery & Landscape Association; the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association; the New York State Turfgrass Association (where he serves on the board); Sports Turf Managers Association; Planet (Professional Landcare Network); Main-Amherst Business and Resident Association (where he serves as board treasurer); the Cherry Hill Club and The Buffalo Club. Jim is also a board member for Hasek’s Heroes youth hockey organization.

Mike is the Vice President of The Lawn Pro in Louisville, Kentucky. Mike serves as the Co-Chair of the Symposium Committee and helped developed and is a speaker for SIMA's popular Build A Bid program. In 2009 he served on the Contracts Review Task Force and was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award. He has a degree in Finance from the University of Louisville.

Mike is the President of Snow and Ice Pros Inc. a snow & ice management only company based in Highland, Indiana. He was the first person in Indiana to receive the Certified Snow Professional designation. With SIMA, he has been a member of the Education Committee, Membership Committee, and serves as a SIMA Buddy & mentor. He has taught classes on marketing and parking lot measurements. Mike earned his B.S. in accounting from Marquette University.

Daniel Gilliland, CSP is the owner of SnowFighters US, based in Belton, MO, which services commercial properties in the Kansas City area. Daniel also owns Crew Tracker Software, a real-time tracking software system for snow & ice management companies. He also serves on the SIMA Certification Committee and is a 2008 recipient of the SIMA Volunteer of the Year award.

Brian is Co-Owner of Akehurst Landscape Service, Inc., Joppa, MD. The Akehurst family celebrated its 125th year in the professional horticultural business in 2001, and today the business offers its clientele a wide range of professional services: design and planning; landscape construction and installation; grounds maintenance and interior plantscaping; as well as holiday décor services and snow and ice removal.

Brian Churchill, CSP, is the Vice President of The GroundsKeeper Inc., in Ashland, MA. Brian has an Associates Degree in Landscape Contracting, is a member of the SIMA Certification Committee, and holds memberships in the Associated Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts, PLANET, and the Community Association Institute.

Craig Kemmerling is National Sales Manager for the Louis Berkman Work Products Co.. Craig has demonstrated his ability to “drive” sales with a strong knowledge of the Meyer, Swenson & Magnum product lines and tremendous application knowledge and “know-how” in the Work Truck industry.  Craig is a 4-year veteran of the snow and ice control business (Meyer & Swenson), most recently Business Development Manager.  Prior to Meyer and Swenson, Craig spent over ten years in the outdoor power equipment business with OPE dealerships and MTD. 

Derek Ossian is the Director of Operations at Ossian, Inc. based in Davenport, Iowa. For over 35 years Ossian has committed itself to leading de-icer technology and operates the most active private de-icing lab in the United States.  As one half of the second generation at Ossian, Derek has dedicated himself and the company to leading the way in the development of bio-based de-icers and liquid anti-icing education.  Derek serves on the SIMA Communication Committee and is working to bring Ossian’s extensive educational material to the SIMA membership through webinars and symposium speakers.

Bob Smart, CSP was a majority owner of Yard Smart, Inc. in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, guiding that company successfully for 22 years. After the sale of his old company his newest venture takes the form of two new companies, Smart Scapes Landscaping, Inc. a landscape management company, and Mr. Yard, Inc. a landscape supply business. Bob has been involved in many organizations and associations. While active with SIMA, Bob has received the following awards: SIMA Excellence in Business (2004), SIMA Top Recruiter (2004 & 2005) and SIMA Volunteer of the Year (2005). He has served on the Symposium Planning Committee for several years and is currently on the Certified Snow Technician (CST) Task Force and a speaker for the Build A Bid and Beyond The Bid programs.

Justin Gamester, CSP is the Director of Business Development for Piscataqua Landscaping Co., a landscaping and snow & ice management company based in Eliot, ME. He received the SIMA Certified Snow Professional (CSP), a professional designation earned by otaining a minimum number of years in the industry and passing a comprehensive exam, in 2004. Piscataqua Landscaping Co. has been a SIMA member since 1999. With SIMA, he has served as Chair of the Membership Committee, been a member of the Education Committee, and serves as a SIMA Buddy & mentor. He has been a speaker at several SIMA educational programs, including the Snow & Ice Symposium. Justin earned his B.S. in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Jason Case, CSP is the President of Case Snow Management, Inc., located in North Attleboro, MA. He earned his Certified Snow Professional (CSP) designation in 2008 and has served as the Co-Chair of the Symposium Planning Committee. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from St. Anselms College and is a Certified Project Manager from Northeastern University.