Atlantic-Oase held its annual Professional Conference virtually again this year with over 150 attendees present on Zoom. The one-day Virtual Conference brought presentations on what’s coming in 2022, from new products to future training schedules to a chat on Recreational Ponds. Like every year, we ended the Professional Conference by presenting the annual awards. Join us in recognizing the following contractors for their awards this year!
Atlantic-Oase Professional Contractor (APC) of the Year Award
The Atlantic-OASE Professional Contractor (APC) of the Year is awarded to those who exemplify the finest attributes in our field: the creation of top-quality water features, a dedication to the industry and a helpful attitude towards our fellow contractors.
This year, we’re proud to announce that Josiah Crousore of Specialty Water Gardens and Landscapes of Columbia, Missouri, embodies everything we look for in an APC.
Since 2007, Specialty Water Gardens and Landscapes has offered the highest-quality ponds, waterfalls, fountains, landscape and waterscape design, installation and upkeep in the greater Kansas City area. Recently, Crousore and his wife Anne added a pond supply retail location that they run together, and it has earned stellar reviews from their customers. In addition to an admirable and impressive body of work, Josiah is always sharing his knowledge with fellow contractors, making videos and tutorials with tips and techniques on building water features. Josiah was recognized for installing top quality water features and for his willingness to help others.
Atlantic-Oase President’s Award
This year’s President’s Award went to Landon Malave of LCM Landscape and Design of Peyton, Colorado. Landon always pushes the limits in his water-feature creations. With years of study and practice under his belt, he has trained to create some outrageous faux rock features, but he’s equally at home with the natural rock that abounds in his Colorado stomping grounds. His video work is as exceptional as his innovative designs, sharing his work far and wide across the internet.
An avid family man, he is also currently training the next generation of innovative water feature artists — his two talented entrepreneurial daughters.
Atlantic-Oase Monster Award
Finally, Lloyd Lightsey, the Pond Monster himself, presented the Monster Award, recognizing those who have gone above and beyond, who have given back to those around them, and who have made a difference in their community. Lloyd was the first recipient of the award in 2019, which was named after him for his and his wife Karrie’s contributions in the fight against cancer. Every year following, Lloyd has passed on the award to a participant he feels embodies the values of the Monster Award.
The Pond Monster presented this year’s Monster Award posthumously to Joe Adams of the Pond Butler in recognition of his huge impact on the many who knew, respected and loved him. Joe was honored and the award was presented to Joe Adams’ wife, Kim, at the 2022 Water Garden Expo in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
We want to thank all the participants for attending the 2021 Virtual Conference in December and we can’t wait to see everyone in person in the future!
DEMI FORTUNA
Demi has been in water garden construction since 1986. As Atlantic’s Director of Product Information, if he’s not building water features, he’s writing or talking about them. If you have a design or construction question, he’s the one to ask.