FAQs

What is an ACE Peer Group?
An ACE Peer Group is a community of Landscape Industry professionals facilitated by McFarlin Stanford and The Grow Group executive coaches.  ACE executive coaches have specific landscape industry experience and a proven record in growing and developing companies.  From topics such as finance, leadership, human resources, and strategic planning, our experts offer advice and hands-on training on how to become more successful business owners.  Fellow members of a peer group function as a board of advisors and confidantes with a wealth of expertise in business management.  Learn more.

What makes ACE Peer Groups different from traditional professional peer groups?
With over 25 years of experience, we know what works and we share our years of experience in the industry. We have helped more than 300 landscaping companies to grow beyond what they had previously imagined, and we now represent over $900 million in revenue across all of our peer groups.  As a group, we represent the fourth largest company by revenue in the whole industry and can leverage that power to benefit ACE Peer Group members.

Who are the lead facilitators of the ACE Peer Groups?
Our peer groups are led by James Cali, Jason New, Chris Psencik and Tommy Cole of McFarlin Stanford and Vince Torcia and Marty Grunder of The Grow Group —an accomplished team with a long track record of success in landscape industry management and operations. Our peer groups also have a special Financial Metric focus led by CPA and CFP, Liz Helton. They don’t traffic in theory; they show you what they know actually works.

Do I qualify to be an ACE Peer Group member?
ACE candidates must have an ownership stake in their company.  ACE members are a diverse group of leaders representing annual company revenues of $750K to upward of $75M.  ACE members must commit to attending all scheduled peer group meetings and understand that they must rely on leaders within their company to run the organization while they are away. 

How do I join an ACE Peer Group?
To join an ACE Peer Group, attend a bi-annual ACE Discovery Event.  At ACE Discovery, potential members have the opportunity to experience our peer group program to see if it is a fit. ACE Discovery is an essential steppingstone for ACE members to understand the program and to get to know the facilitators.

What is ACE Discovery?
At ACE Discovery you’ll experience firsthand what a typical ACE Peer Group meeting entails, get to know some of our ACE members and alumni, and learn from our executive coaches and leading owners how to take your company to the next level. The next ACE Discovery will be in Banff, Canada November 7-10, 2023.

What is ACE Summit?
ACE Summit is a unique opportunity to take a deep dive into a particular topic and to network with an incredible group of leaders who’ll dramatically broaden your perspective. In 2017 we met at the Four Seasons Vail to focus on the client experience; in 2018 we gathered at the Four Seasons in Whistler, British Columbia, where we examined how to maximize operational efficiency; and in 2019 we headed to the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City, Canada, to learn new ways to build a winning team. In 2020 at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida we learned about how to build and work with leadership teams. In 2021, we worked ON the business in Beaver Creek, CO.  Last fall, Summit 2022 in Napa, California explored innovating ideas, integrating practices, and motivating team members. Summit 2023 will be held in Banff, Canada, November 8-10, 2023.

Are there any unique experiences associated with ACE Peer Groups?
Periodically, members have the opportunity, in addition to planned peer group meetings, to participate in an “ACE Experience”.  These are exciting, one-of-a-kind trips to Anchorage, Alaska and Florence, Italy.  The trips focus on targeted business discussions in unique settings allowing members to have unparalleled experiences in truly phenomenal locations.  As we add destinations to our ACE Experience program, we continue to stay focused on our member's business goals while planning a little fun too.

What is the commitment of an ACE Peer Member?
ACE Peer Groups have three in-person group meetings a year, an annual ACE Summit focused on networking with members of other ACE peer groups, and monthly check-ins with an accountability partner and your group facilitator.  The ACE Peer group curriculum is a two-year commitment after which a member can decide to continue the program or become an ACE alumnus.

What is an accountability call?
To help you continue to develop and improve your business, we will pair you with a member of your peer group to serve as your accountability partner. You will participate in a scheduled monthly call with this partner and your facilitator during months when your group does not meet. These check-ins drive progress in your business between meetings and propel you toward your goals.