Member Spotlight

Gary Michels – Owner of Lawns Inc.

After retiring from the nuclear industry, Gary Michels was looking for a new challenge. With a lifelong love of the outdoors and a desire to return to business ownership, he launched Lawns Inc., where he now enters his second year as owner.

“I wanted a challenge in a new career after retirement from the nuclear industry, so I chose what I love to do, work outside in open green spaces,” Gary says. “Let’s face it, cutting grass is a lot of fun!”

But fun didn’t mean easy. Gary brought with him decades of discipline and certification experience from his previous career and approached turfgrass with the same level of commitment. “I held many major certifications in nukes, so becoming certified as a turfgrass pro seemed natural. I was able to use NCCTP as a path forward.”

Gary recently earned his North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional (NCCTP) designation. This is a milestone he views as personal achievement and as a professional responsibility. “I wanted a recognized certification demonstrating mastery over all aspects of turfgrass management. My clients deserve it.”

That mindset led him to join the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. The need for credentials is what initially drew him in. “There is a technical knowledge base plus a business knowledge base built within the Turfgrass Professional Certification curriculum. One cannot pass the exam with only one or the other.”

The certification also offered credibility. “The close relationship between TCNC and NC State, one of the premier college turfgrass programs in the country, helped me decide,” Gary explains. “Also, the close ties between the Turfgrass Council and the Agricultural Extensions. This lends great credibility to the NC version of the Turfgrass Professional. A certification can only be as valuable as the issuing governing body.”

Though relatively new to the turfgrass industry, Gary’s motivation and discipline reflect a seasoned professional. His advice for others considering NCCTP certification is practical: “Refresh your Botany. Take a field guide out to parks and identify both turf and weeds. Practice basic geometry math.”

Like many in the green industry, Gary is watching environmental conditions closely. “All industries for all times have faced the same basic challenge: staying current and relevant in changing times,” he notes. “But specifically for turfgrass, right now our biggest challenge is a warming climate.”

Gary credits Professor Grady Miller for providing early support and direction. “Professor Grady Miller steered me to some grass identification resources. I suppose that is as good a start a guy could hope for.”

Outside of work, Gary enjoys downtime when he can get it. “Starting a business does not provide for an excess of free time. I suppose just sitting with my feet propped up, watching British Detective Drama and spy movies qualifies.”

He’s also proud of his family. “I got married to Sharon in 1986, and she is still the love of my life.” He also has four grown children.

Whether it’s launching a new company, preparing for certification, or adapting to a changing climate, Gary Michels has embraced his second career with the same tenacity that defined his first. And when it comes to the turfgrass industry, he’s exactly where he wants to be.