So many landscape companies don't have a clear vision of who they are and what business they are really in or what business they should be in. For those that do have some sort of mission statement most have not articulated that ideal to their employees to help them understand who and what the company stands for.

In 2005, Jim McCutcheon recognized that this was the situation at his company, HighGrove Partners, and changed his business model from that of landscape company that provides maintenance services to a service company that does landscape maintenance.

McCutcheon is owner and CEO of HighGrove, a $15 million company that provides Land Services, Landscape Maintenance and Water Management to commercial clients in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.

He answers common business questions:

-What is the role of an owner and CEO?
-How can you differentiate yourself in a competitive market place?
-What is a service company?
-How do you develop a mission statement?
-Water management opportunities for the "green industry"

McCutcheon graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture. He has been in the landscape industry for almost 25 years and has developed a broad background of experience. Through the years he has led all aspects of a landscape company including operations, sales and service. He is primarily focused on the vision for HighGrove and building a strong team to help him make the vision a reality. He often refers to himself as “the chief protector of the culture.”

McCutcheon is also very involved in community and professional organizations. He was recently named President-Elect of PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) and is the current Past-President of the Academic Excellence Foundation. He is also involved in the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Community Association Institute, the Urban Agriculture Council and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

For more information, visit http://www.highgrove.net/.