Danielle Martinez, Snow Administrative Specialist at Xtreme Snow Pros, earns ASCA Certification

As a company continuously intent on having its staff accredited and educated on the latest industry standards for snow and ice removal, Xtreme Snow Pros this week excitedly announced that Danielle Martinez, a Snow Administrative Specialist at Xtreme Snow Pros, has officially earned her Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) Certification. Having successfully completed the necessary educational requirements and proven knowledge of established industry standards, Martinez joins the rest of TeamX as an expertly certified winter weather management and removal employee.

The ASCA is responsible for establishing the first “industry standards” for the professional snow and ice management industry today. The goal of establishing these standards and certification is so that operations across the country have a common educational platform from which they all manage their specific winter weather services. By establishing these standards, the ASCA is working to ensure there are lower instances of frivolous slip-and-fall claims, as well as personal injury lawsuits brought against all commercial property owners.

Martinez claimed that she was intent on earning her ASCA certification to ensure she can provide a superior level of customer service and professionalism in snow removal and ice mitigation in the future. As part of TeamX, she stated, it is their communal job to make sure all clients and their commercial properties stay safe and protected during winter’s harshest months.

To receive the accreditation, Martinez completed 10 one-hour, ASCA-approved online educational classes. After each session, she was issued a test and received a 90% or better on each of her tests to receive credit. Once this required classwork was completed, Martinez was officially issued her ASCA certification. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance, requiring Martinez to go through the 10 hours of testing again this time next year. The ASCA requires yearly testing to ensure all participants are up-to-date with new industry developments, practices, and equipment now legalized for the winter weather management.

Xtreme Snow Pros requires all integral members of their team to receive ASCA certification. Passionate about providing safe, secure, and reliable customer service support 24/7, Xtreme Snow Pros knows they are keeping their clients protected by employing a team of ASCA professionals.

Martinez will now join the rest of TeamX as a formidable player in the Xtreme Snow Pros structure.

Xtreme Snow Pros Business Developer Joseph Capobianco now ASCA Certified

Joe Capobianco Jr, the Business Developer for Xtreme Snow Pros has successfully completed the necessary educational requirements and has proven knowledgeable of established industry standards to earn “ASCA Certified” status by the Accredited Snow Contractors Association.

“I believe strongly in abiding by established industry standards for snow and ice management,” Capobianco says. “Earning ‘ASCA Certified’ status lets others know that I practice and provide a superior level of customer service and professionalism in snow removal and ice mitigation, which is important in keeping my clients’ employees and customers safe throughout the winter months, as well as reducing their exposure to slip-and-fall litigation.”

The association's "ASCA Certified" program is the result of establishing the first "industry standards" for the professional snow and ice management industry. The ASCA’s overall goal of establishing standards and a certification process is to lower instances of frivolous slip-and-fall claims and to control insurance premiums.

“Anyone who engages in snow and ice management, or contracts for this essential winter service, understands how baseless slip-and-fall personal injury claims have gotten out of control, caused liability insurance rates to skyrocket, and has had a negative impact on many small businesses’ bottom-lines during these fiscally challenging times,” says ASCA Executive Director Kevin Gilbride. “It is our belief that the ‘ASCA Certified’ designation will serve as a strong deterrent to plaintiff’s attorneys pursuing these frivolous claims, and will help snow contractors work with their clients – property owners and managers – to provide the safest conditions possible during winter weather events.”

ASCA members receive the certification status after completing 10 hours of one-hour, ASCA-approved online educational classes. After each session, a test is issued and must be passed (80% is a passing grade) to receive credit. Once the required class work is completed ASCA certification is issued to the contractor. This is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Contractors are required to take 10 hours of online continuing education through the ASCA in order to update their certification status.

Team experts grow with ASCA certifications

Snow doesn’t disappear without the help of a quality commercial snow removal team.

There are many factors at play when Xtreme Snow Pros hits the streets and parking lots, snow plows down at full speed. This commercial snow and ice removal company company has a team of experts working for clients at every level.

The Snow Pros team recently had three members earn ASCA certification: Meg Shute, John Hinton and Chris Marino.

Chris is the owner and founder of Xtreme Snow Pros, which bases its fleet out of Ringwood, New Jersey.. Chris and his wife started Snow Pros, which spawned four other white and green industry companies in The Xtreme Group in Mahwah, N.J. Snow has been a part of Chris’ life since he was a child growing up in New Jersey. Xtreme Snow Pros now serves the needs of commercial clients across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Meg joined the Xtreme Snow Pros team in November 2015. She serves as office administrator, handling billing, payroll and human resources duties. In the event of a snowstorm, she plays a crucial role as dispatcher for the Snow Special Forces Unit, interacting with the snow command team and site supervisor specialists.

John Hinton’s career began with Snow Pros in 2012. He served as a snow site supervisor until he became a fleet technical specialist in April 2015. John manages the fleet during the peak snow event season and in between.

What is ASCA certification?

The ASCA, or Accredited Snow Contractors Association, provides specialized certification for those in the snow industry. As one of the top 100 snow contractors in North American, Xtreme Snow Pros ensures team members such as Chris, John and Meg receive the education they need to solidify their knowledge of the industry. This certification drives home the weekly training Xtreme provides in house.

Chris Marino finds these certifications serve clients well. “The certifications give our clients the confidence that we are highly trained to be able to provide our clients with the level of expertise they expect as well as provide them with a safe environment.”

A working knowledge of safety standards ensures competitive rates and efficient service for all Snow Pros clients. Most of the educational material covers risk management, an important skill for any industry like snow and ice removal.

Certification is an eight-hour process of education and testing that ensures a broad grasp of snow industry knowledge they can apply in their daily work. These three aren’t the only team members Xtreme plans have ASCA certified.

“Our plan is for all of our management as well as snow commanders and site supervisor specialists to become certified,” Marino said.

Chris, John and Meg’s certifications mark the second time this year that an Xtreme team member has been certified in 2016. This past winter, Glenn Kramer, Xtreme’s operations manager and a former New York firefighter, received his ASCA credentials.

Xtreme Snow Pros Operations Manager Glenn Kramer now ASCA Certified

When the snow starts flying and the ice is accumulating so fast even Jack Frost is impressed, you want a well-skilled, educated and trustworthy ally. With Xtreme Snow Pros you get exactly that level of impressive expertise and unparalleled ability.

Recently Xtreme Snow Pros Operations Manager and former FDNY firefighter, Glenn Kramer, became ASCA Certified. The ASCA Certification is an education-based certification that concentrates on risk management.

As an ASCA Certified professional, Glenn Kramer and the rest of the crew at Xtreme Snow Pros have the industry knowledge to keep you ahead of even the worst winter storms. You can be assured that you have hired the absolute best to keep your operations running smoothly during the frigid and snowy Northeast winters.

Xtreme Snow Pros recognized as a top 100 snow contractor

Xtreme Snow Pros of Mahwah, New Jersey, has been awarded a spot in the 2015 Top 100 Snow Contractors list. Presented by the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA), the award recognizes the 100 highest performing professional snow and ice companies in North America based on revenue generated from the previous winter.

“Xtreme Snow Pros is dedicated to providing world-class service to all our clients,” said owner Chris Marino. “I’m proud that the company has grown to a level that allows us to be recognized as a leader in the industry. We offer a proactive approach to snow and ice management which is what’s desperately needed during all types of winter weather.”

Honored at the 2015 ASCA Executive Summit held Aug. 5-7 in Stowe, Vermont, Xtreme climbed 35 spots from last year, now ranking at 52nd place.

The complete Top 100 List as well as full coverage of the Executive Summit will be available in the September issue of Snow Magazine.

Xtreme Snow Pros is a local, family-owned company that provides commercial clients with snow and ice management solutions. For more information, visit www.xtremesnowpros.com.