Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Tom Lucas

 

For more than four decades, Tom Lucas, owner of Performance Nursery, has been a dedicated advocate, volunteer, and leader within California’s Green Industry. His willingness to give his time, expertise, and resources to the industry and the communities it serves has earned him induction into the Green Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

A 43-year Life Member of the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA), Tom has been actively involved with several chapters, including Long Beach/Orange County, Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley, and San Fernando Valley. Throughout the years, he has been someone industry organizations could consistently count on. Whether serving as a judge for an awards program, providing plants and centerpieces for an event, or lending his experience and support to an industry cause, Tom has always been willing to step forward and help.

 

Tom’s involvement extends well beyond CLCA. Over the years, he has supported and participated in numerous professional, business, and community organizations, including the CLASS Fund, Agriculture Leadership Foundation, National Federation of Independent Business, Elks, Rotary, and the Long Beach Police Association. He has also served as a member and past president of the Ventura County Contractors Association, participated in several local chambers of commerce, and served on the California Chamber of Commerce Workers’ Compensation Committee.

 

A strong supporter of small business and responsible conservation, Tom has hosted events at his nurseries bringing together members of the Green Industry with candidates and legislators to discuss issues affecting businesses, employees, and the communities they serve. His involvement has helped ensure that the concerns and perspectives of Green Industry professionals are represented beyond the nursery and landscape professions themselves.

 

Tom’s commitment to service is equally evident in his community involvement. He has supported the Moorpark/Simi Valley Boys & Girls Club, served on the Long Beach City College Advisory Board, and volunteered at Padre Serra Parish Catholic Church in Camarillo, assisting with food services and the parish funeral committee.

 

Throughout his career, Tom has built a reputation not only for his knowledge of the nursery industry, but also for his generosity and willingness to help others. Friends and colleagues know that when Tom sees a need, he looks for a way to contribute.

 

And those who know Tom well may also know him for arriving with a jar of honey—a personal tradition that reflects his support for bee populations and his appreciation for the important relationship between pollinators, plants, and the Green Industry.

 

For more than 40 years, Tom Lucas has been a tireless supporter of the Green Industry, its people, and the communities it serves. His leadership, generosity, and longstanding commitment to giving back make him a deserving member of the Green Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2026.