Our History
In the late 1960’s, Ron Chapman worked in the lawn maintenance and landscaping industry. At that time, Ron had a vision of running his own maintenance and landscaping company, with a serious commitment to “Quality” & “Integrity”. On a quest to fulfill this life-long ambition, during the summer of 1972 Ron, and his wife Linda, moved their young family (with three children in tow) from Indianapolis, Indiana to Clearwater, Florida. Ron began the company with a truck, a lawn mower and a few pieces of hand equipment. Initially named R. L. Chapman’s Lawn Service, the business quickly grew by word of mouth, thanks to Ron’s commitment to “Quality”, Linda’s administrative skills, and their joint reputable “Integrity”.
In 1984, the company became incorporated under the new name, Chapman’s Professional Lawn Maintenance, Inc., while continuing with the same commitment to “Quality” & “Integrity”. By this time, Ron and Linda had eight children (5 boys and 3 girls). Linda’s full-time job included the administrative duties of the company, while teaching this big family the meaning of “Integrity”, among many other character traits. Ron’s full-time job included managing the company, ensuring customers’ received the highest degree of “Quality”, while teaching his children these same values. These teachings have proven to enable each Chapman child to be an active contributor to the family, the business and the community.
As part of this effort, each of the Chapman sons worked for the company as teenagers, while in college and even as married fathers. The daughters have all worked for the company in various management roles through out their lives, as well. The family has all learned the business from the ground up, whether it be mowing, weedeating, planting, trimming, accounting, marketing, tree trimming, sprinklers, landscaping, etc… As the family has grown, many of the children’s spouses have learned the business, have become involved with its operations and have had a great impact on the company.
Today, Linda continues the Chapman commitment to “Quality” and “Integrity” after Ron passed on in 2017, while involving their children and their growing families in the business. As the company has grown, the Chapman children have stepped up their involvement in the family business. Each family member, along with Linda, all provide their various areas of expertise to the company.
Over the years, the Chapman children have all continued to contribute to the family, the business and the community by gaining additional education (Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate), starting other businesses, volunteering for various charitable organizations and developing their careers in nursing, education, music, law, marketing, sales, business, construction and of course lawn maintenance and landscaping. As well, the Chapman family is still actively involved in the Tampa Bay community, including schools, churches, sports, government, medicine, business organizations, etc… It would be an understatement to say that Ron and Linda have be a force for good in their community.
Chapman’s Professional Lawn Maintenance, Inc., is truly a family affair, run by professionals, with countless years of experience. In 1972, “Quality” and “Integrity” were the company’s first priority of service to their customers. Today, many years later, “Quality” and “Integrity” have not only become the definition and reputation of the company, but have become the character and reputation of the family. “Quality” & “Integrity” will ALWAYS be the driving force behind Chapman’s Professional Lawn Maintenance, Inc.’s services, behind the family’s character and behind their commitment to beautify the Tampa Bay area reaching well into the next “Chapman” generation.