Tom Wood
Owner, Wood Landscape Services
Columbus, Ohio
Education
Thomas Worthington High School
Worthington, Ohio
Class of 1975
“I had a summer job between junior and senior year at a local landscape company called Four Seasons Nursery. I loved being outside.”
The Ohio State University
Class of 1982
“I studied at OSU and worked for a landscape contractor the entire time I went to school. I was on the seven-year plan. I’d work a couple quarters, and go to school for one.”
Work experience
1982-1983
Horticulturist
Columbus Marriott North & East
Boykin Management Co.
Cleveland
1984-1985
Landscape division manager
Buckeye Landscape
Columbus, Ohio
“In 1983 we did Wendy’s headquarters. It was a tough, demanding job.”
1985-1987
Corporate Horticulturist
Red Roof Inns
Columbus, Ohio
“Two of us oversaw maintenance at all the hotels and we opened new properties. I probably traveled three weeks a month. The goal was to visit every property at least once a year. It was a neat job.”
1986-1987
Partner
WC Landscaping
Columbus, Ohio
“The partnership was not successful. I wouldn’t do a 50/50 partnership again.”
1987-1989
Landscape design/sales
Kinman Design Associates
Columbus, Ohio
“One of the things Gary Kinman always did was photograph prolifically. When I started my business, I adopted that.”
1989-1992
On Camera Talent/Hand Model
CAM Talent Agency
Columbus, Ohio
“I’d always wanted to do something theatrical. … I got signed with CAM Talent. You had to constantly be auditioning to get enough gigs to make a living. I did some industrial films, auditioned for a couple movies and did some hand modeling, ironically.”
1989-1990
Landscape design/sales
Matthews Associates
Columbus, Ohio
1990-present
Owner
Wood Landscape Services
Columbus, Ohio
“It was your typical bootstrap. I cashed in a few annuity-type insurance policies for $3,000 or $4,000 and put down payment on truck and trailer. I worked out of my house in Clintonville, and then found a facility and gradually progressed.”
2012-present
Gardening Expert
NBC4
Columbus, Ohio
“I’ve been doing it for three years come May. I’ve shot every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. I get to select the topic and the location. … It all came full circle. The talent agency stuff prepared me for the time on camera.”
Words of wisdom
“Work for balance in your life and be passionate in your choices.”
“Help others achieve success and by consequence you will be successful.”
“Always maintain a positive attitude. If you have two pictures in your mind, one happy and one sad, choose happy!”
