
UAS (United Agricultural Services) of America, Gyorgy & Hilda Pescenka
This Company is owned and operated by a family that was once big tobacco farmers in Canada and who later migrated to the U.S. to start an organic fertilizer manufacturing business. The formulas for their products were developed by the family and are sold under the trademark of CropMaster. They also manufacture standard and special blends for distributors under numerous private labels; labels UAS designs, prints and sells at a profit to their distributors and agents. One source of new revenue is the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of a foam product that is sprayed on fruit and citrus to protect them against frost. The company not only receives revenues from the sale of this product but also from the sale of various sizes of applicators.
The Pescenka family has an excellent reputation in the marketplace as an honest and trustworthy business family that manufactures products that are “green” and not harmful to the soil. For this reason, they are continuously expanding its market share in North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
SCORE's first counselling session with this client was held on March 31, 2000, and since then, through face-to-face, telephone, and e-mail contacts, we have provided over 200 mentoring sessions. Chapter 439 often provides team counselling whereby the team is made up of the counsellor (s) of record and co-counsels who provide specialized counselling in their areas of expertise. However, four members have regularly provided counselling during the past nine years.
William Dalton – advised the clients to branch out from their Florida ole-boy citrus market network into the international fertilizer market of all agricultural products. He particularly advised the family to look into other markets that could utilize their organic fertilizer, such as golf courses, parks, and amusement parks. He introduced the clients to the system of selling through manufacturer’s reps and product distributors. He has continued to advise them on marketing matters and general business issues.
Arthur (Hap) Fairman – helped the client develop pricing formulas and policies; and secure bank financing, lines of credit, and letters of credit. He set up and participated in the interviews of several banks and recommended a new bank for their business accounts and financing. Hap helped the clients negotiate their building loan at an outstanding interest rate. He has continued to advise them on financial matters.
Ellie Hollis – scrapped the UAS computerized accounting system, redeveloped a new corporate chart of accounts and accounting system, and assisted in cleaning up the company’s accounting practices. In time, Ellie interviewed and assisted in the hiring and training of a new secretary/bookkeeper.
Howard Smith - introduced the concept of private labelling through a stable of worldwide distributorships. He also counselled on general management and human resources issues, INS problems, and visa concerns. He reorganized the corporate secretary’s records, including formalizing the minutes of all stockholders, board of directors, and management meetings. Howard continues to provide counselling on general business issues and concerns of the client.