Before November comes to an end, we need to toast Francis Naglich, the dedicated founder of Ecological Land Services, as he marks an incredible milestone – 30 years of unwavering commitment to Teamwork, Integrity and Excellence.
To celebrate, we asked some of our ELS team to share a little about the impact Francis has had.
Principal, Mara McGrath shared, "Cheers to Francis for steering the good ship H.M.S. ELS from its humble beginnings as a one-man show in his parent's basement to a well respected company with three dozen employees and five offices. Francis' leadership and expertise have helped ELS sail through calm waters and stormy seas. Here's to three decades of setting the course, weathering the storms, and steering ELS toward success.
Our Operations Coordinator and Biologist, Beau Johnson reflects, "Francis is all that you can ask for in a leader, mentor, and friend. He is steadfast and resolute, with a positive attitude and kind nature that is contagious among all. Cheers to 30 years!"
Senior biologist, KT Willis adds a touch of humor, sharing one of Francis's memorable pieces of advice, "He gives the best advice, 'Clean your ditches, *itches!'"
Longview Senior Bio, Lacey Hoffman expressed gratitude for Francis's leadership: "Francis has been the best boss and support system during my time at ELS. He has faith in his employees and provides whatever we need to ensure we are happy and able to do our jobs efficiently. There is a reason he is well respected in the industry, and we are fortunate enough to see that every day. He has helped me grow as a biologist, as well as a person, and I couldn’t ask for a better boss."
Of her experiences working alongside Francis, Biologist Liz Vaughn said, "Working with Francis in the field has been an incredible learning experience. His wealth of experience in spearheading environmental consulting projects has made him an amazing mentor. His dedication is seriously impressive. Instead of just overseeing things, he rolls up his sleeves and jumps in with us. I feel very fortunate to be a part of what he has built over the years here at ELS and look forward to many more field trips with Francis."
Another Longview Biologist, Gabby Bender, who started at ELS as Francis’ assistant adds, "He’s our leader, a wetland whisperer, a mentor to many, and I’m personally thankful to have met him. While it may be hard to keep up with Francis if you manage to do so, you’ll come away a better biologist, a better critical thinker, and a better consultant."
Joanne Bartlett, who heads our Bremerton office, takes us on a nostalgic journey, "Thank you, Francis, for helping me through a very difficult transition and helping me avoid running a company on my own. I’ve mentioned this story to a lot of people, and my final statement is always 'Francis saved my life.' And he did…he truly did."
As we reflect on the past 30 years, one thing remains clear – Francis's dedication has left an indelible mark on ELS and its team. We look forward to many more years of growth, learning, and positive impact thanks to his leadership.
Explore more about our commitment to excellence and the legacy of our founder by checking out some of our past and current projects. Join us in celebrating Francis Naglich and his 30 years of leadership!
