March 27,2026
TNLA State Board Nomination for At Large Director
It is my pleasure to nominate: Derek Whisenand for At LargeDirector
Company : Whiz Q Stone
Position: upper management, Phone:817-995-0893
Email: derek@whiz-q com
Experience:
Region V Board of Directors15+ years
Region V board president 5 years
Young Leader Award recipient
Coordinator for Ft Worth Home And Garden Show 15+ years
Parks and Patio committee 10+ years
Exhibitor at EXPO for 15+ years
Served on committees for national hardscape association
Coordinates Christmas is for Caring with Neil Sperry
Participant in various TNLA task forces over the years
Affiliations:
National Hardscape associations
Active in his local church
Active with family and kids sports
Coach of youth sports team
Talents / skills:
Derek travels the country to find the most current materials and techniques and introduces them back to their business Derek is focused on quality in everything he involves himself in Derek evaluates a situation before making quick decisions Derek is organized and can communicate effectively. He also hears all sides of a situation, to understand the whole picture
before making a decision Derek has a great ethic mindset, always evaluating decisions to make sure they are sound. Derek is excellent in balancing difficult situations between project owners, contractors, and incoming materials for projects
Why:
TNLA does not and has never had board representation focused on the Hardscape market segment of our industry. Hardscape elements are key to a complete landscape project. Most landscape projects' largest budget items are Hardscape materials (stone, pavers, retaining walls, mulch, gravels, soil, edgings, etc:) TNLA’s largest member segment and largest growth potential is Landscape. The Landscape also has the largest turnover. I believe this is in part due to inadequate representation, education, and relevance in the hardscape environment Many Landscapers use plants as accents when the focus is hardscape and outdoor living TNLA does not adequately represent this group.
Hardscaping is the largest growing portion of the industry nationwide and because of water supply in Texas we are accelerating Texas is behind many areas of the country in technique, materials, and training TNLA is lacking education in these areas resulting in low membership and engagement.
As water supplies continue to decrease the demands for hardscape elements increase The increased use of hardscape directly affects every aspect of TNLA, plant selection, irrigation types and quantity, runoff and collection, plant quantities, etc Hardscape elements play a vital role in water conservation which is a high priority in the industry and will be for the foreseeable future. Representation in this segment will benefit TNLA legislatively by demonstrating we are looking at the challenges from every aspect TNLA needs representation in the hardscape market.
TNLA must represent the whole of the Landscape membership not just the plant aspect Derek will be an asset on the Board of Directors bringing needed representation of the hardscape perspective to TNLA
YES Derek is aware of the time and financial commitment required to serve on the TNLA BOD. He does have the full support from his employer
Yes, Derek has been asked and he would accept the nomination.
Jackie Smith, Absolute Equipment Sales President & Managing Member
Absolute Accents Inc President PO Box 427 Santo, Texas 76472 (817) 366-5854
Jsabsolute@live.com jackie@absoluteequipmentsales.com