K&D Landscaping to be named Outstanding Large Business of the Year at upcoming awards luncheon 

K&D Landscaping will be awarded Outstanding Large Business of  the Year at the Salinas Valley (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce‘s 105th Annual \ Awards Luncheon on April 9th. The honor recognizes a company that evolved from a small family operation into a regional leader while remaining deeply rooted in community, culture and purpose. 
 
“This award belongs to every single person on the K&D team,” said Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping. “We started as a humble family  operation in 1986. Everything we have built since then rests on the shoulders of people who show up every day and give their absolute best. We are incredibly proud to be recognized by the community that raised us.” 
 
Founded in 1986, K&D Landscaping has grown into a $20 million regional operation with a team that reflects the Salinas Valley it serves. In 2016, K&D launched its Community Beautification Projects to give back to the region. The company has since beautified more than 35 local nonprofits, investing over $200,000 last year alone in community greening efforts. K&D also hosts the annual Central Coast Water Summit, now in its fourth year, bringing industry professionals together to tackle regional water conservation challenges. 
 
The company operates California’s first Level 5 autonomous commercial mowing fleet and has transitioned its maintenance division to 100 percent electric handheld tools. These are not experiments. They are fully operational systems deployed at scale, fundamentally changing both the economics and the environmental impact of commercial landscape maintenance. 
 
The company maintains an 85 percent employee retention rate in an industry historically plagued by turnover. K&D is actively building toward a $100,000 minimum salary for its team members. This 
commitment reflects a core belief: taking care of people is not a cost center, but a competitive advantage. 
 
On March 1, 2025, K&D launched Branch 805 in San Luis Obispo County, bringing its all-electric Kress equipment and people-first culture to a new market. That is just the beginning. With sights set on the entire California market, the company’s long-range vision is to reach a $1 billion valuation by 2035. This goal serves as a guiding principle shaping every hire, system, and investment made today. 
 
“We are grateful for this recognition, and we are just getting started,” White added. “The Salinas Valley has given us everything. Our goal is to keep raising the bar for what a landscaping company can be for our team, our clients, and the communities we serve.”