AZALEA AWARD RECIPIENTS WES AND TERESA GREEN

Wes and Teresa Green were born and raised in Humboldt County. Wes graduated from Arcata High School and Teresa from Eureka High School. Wes and Teresa both have always had an entrepreneurship mentality. Wes started his landscape construction business 50 years ago after graduating high school, initially beginning his career mowing freeways. Soon, realizing his niche for landscape materials and construction; he opened a store front in Arcata and eventually moved to Heindon Road in 1989. A year later, after being approached by members of the community, he proudly began flying the American Flag. Over the years, Wes has continued to prioritize the need to keep the flag a part of the Community. In 2005 Wes moved his business to the current location on West End Road in Arcata. Wes began working with the County to provide a source of green waste disposal for all of Humboldt County residents in 2007 and has been involved in hundreds of projects in our County.

Teresa started working as a cosmetologist out of high school, then in construction with her late husband and eventually going through a life change and began working at Steve’s Septic Service in 2002 for Ron and Vicki Turner. After two years, Teresa purchased the company in 2004 with the plan of keeping Steve’s Septic Service a local family operated business. Be- ing a business owner and living on the same property in McKinleyville had allowed Teresa to help raise her grandchildren while working; which was a big priority in her life.

Wes and Teresa met later in their lives and began dating in 2005 and married in 2008. Together they realized the values they shared for family, community and business. Led by Wes and Teresa, Wes Green Company and Steve’s Septic

Service have continued to provide support to many community organizations over the years by donating to McKinleyville Little League and Youth Football, various landscape materials to local schools and local community gardens, Mad River Rotary, St. Jude, Soroptimist, Heritage Society, Humboldt Area Foundation and many others.

Wes served as President for the Humboldt Builders Exchange and a

Board of Directors for 20 years. He has served on other special boards for the local school and cemetery. Over the years, Wes has spread his joy of restored tractors to the Community by appearing in many local parades, car show events and spending time at local schools. He was also involved in the first McKinleyville Chamber Corks, Forks and Kegs with his tractor and hay trailer shuttling patrons up and down Central Avenue.

Wes and Teresa are honored and humbled to have received this award from their peers and the McKinleyville Community. They are blessed to be a part of such a wonderful Community. This award is bittersweet- as Wes and Teresa will be retiring this year and their businesses will continue to be family operated local businesses proud to support the community.