CEO Dennis Mikula Jr. brings LICA's voice to the inaugural NATP
On August 19, LICA CEO Dennis Mikula Jr. represented the association at the inaugural North American Trade Parliament (NATP) in Oakland, California.
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Category: Industry Updates
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Equipment in action, conversations in the field, and industry connections
BRON welcomed contractors, industry partners, and LICA to Sheffield, Iowa, for its 585 Power Unit Showcase, bringing the drainage industry together for a day centered around equipment, installation, and time in the field.
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A New Home for Year-Round Learning
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For more than two decades, the Iowa LICA Conservation and Demonstration Farm has provided a place where visitors can see conservation work in action.
Located near Melbourne, Iowa—approximately 15 miles from Marshalltown and 60 miles from Des Moines—the 80-acre property was purchased in 2000. Since then, Iowa LICA has developed the farm into a working educational site where contractors, agencies, students and members of the public can learn how conservation systems are constructed and how they perform over time.
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Two days of hands-on demonstrations, industry education and contractor collaboration.
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Indiana LICA brought contractors, industry professionals, educators and guests together July 21–22 for its Tile Drainage Installation Field Day at Purdue University’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education in West Lafayette. After days of unbearable heat and scattered thunderstorms leading up to the event, the weather cooperated for two hot but successful days in the field. Water bottles and sunscreen were never far away as crews worked throughout both days and attendees moved between the Agronomy Center, educational sessions and the active installation site.
At the center of the event was the drainage installation itself. Several crews and machines moved steadily across the field as tile plows installed the drainage tile. Compact track loaders followed behind, pushing soil back over the newly connected lines, while ground crews checked the work and kept the installation moving. Watching the equipment and crews work side by side gave attendees a close look at the coordination involved in a large drainage project.
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National LICA’s virtual committee meetings continued throughout May and June, bringing together land improvement contractors, Associate members, Executive Directors, and industry partners from across the country to discuss the issues, challenges, and opportunities impacting our industry.
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National LICA is entering a new phase, one focused on building meaningful industry relationships and contractor-driven programs that deliver real value to members in the field.
Over the past four months, LICA has worked to strengthen relationships with national manufacturers and fleet providers that understand the day-to-day realities of LICA contractors. The goal is not simply to add more discounts, but to create programs that help contractors operate more efficiently, stay competitive, and gain access to programs that can directly support their businesses.
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LICA’s spring virtual committee meetings are off to a strong start.
The Convention Committee and On-Site Waste Committee recently kicked off the spring committee schedule with strong participation from contractors, Executive Directors, Associate members, and leadership from across the country. While the topics varied, both meetings reflected the same thing: great conversation, practical ideas, and members who care deeply about the future of the association and the industries LICA represents.
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LICA committees don’t just meet at Convention, they work year-round.
Through scheduled virtual meetings, members can stay involved, contribute to discussions, and help move initiatives forward without waiting for in-person events.The National Office coordinates each meeting, making it easy to participate from anywhere. Meeting links will be sent via email in the days leading up to each session.
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Efficiency, safety gains make compact equipment indispensable tools for land improvement professionals
By RICK ZETTLER, Caterpillar Trade Press Consultant
In today’s market, contractors must maximize use of every tool in their fleet to stay ahead of the competition. “Gone are the days when a contractor will bring a piece of equipment onto a site to trench and then park it until it’s needed again,” says Greg Worley, market professional for Cat® mini hydraulic excavators. “Fleet management practices have evolved to where all machines are expected to be versatile and to keep working.”
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By DENNIS MIKULA, JR., CEO, National LICA
Ten years ago, I got involved with LICA because I believed in what it stood for. Not as a title, not as a résumé builder, and not because I needed another commitment, as I already had plenty. I got involved because I grew up in this industry, and deep down I knew I owed it something back.
That year, I was asked to serve as Vice President of NJLICA. I didn’t take it lightly. I saw it as both an honor and a responsibility. And looking back now, I realize that was the moment my journey toward national leadership truly began, not because I knew where it would lead, but because I said yes to service.
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