The Commercial Landscaper Podcast

Ashly Paladino is the COO and Partner at Sun Valley Landscaping in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the past 14 years, she has helped lead the company from a $1M operation to nearly $10M in annual revenue. Today, Sun Valley employs 78 people, including 34 year-round team members. Ashly is passionate about building strong teams, growing leaders, and creating a company culture rooted in service, craftsmanship, and community. In addition to her role at Sun Valley, Ashly serves on the boards of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and The WorkLab, and has previously contributed to national initiatives as a member of several councils within the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Outside of work, Ashly enjoys live music, cooking, outdoor adventures, and watching her four kids compete in sports with her husband, Tony, by her side.

When Brian was preparing to head off to college, his dad asked him what he wanted to do with his life. Without hesitation, Brian said, “I want to play ball.” His dad looked him straight in the eye and replied, “Son, you're not Mickey Mantle. What are you going to do with your life?” Brian's dad had started in the mailroom at IBM and worked his way up to installing SAP systems worldwide, often away from home. The moments Brian cherished most with him were simple-going to nurseries together, spreading mulch, and working in the yard. Those experiences inspired Brian to pursue landscape horticulture at NC State. On his very first day of class, a professor told students, “Starting salary: $17,500. If you're here for money, there's the door.” Brian thought, that's $17,500 more than I have - let's go. The summer before graduation, Brian worked in Wilmington under a boss known for yelling and belittling his crew. Deflated, he returned to campus, questioning his future. A friend suggested, “Why don't you start your own business?” Brian remembered an RFP project in Professor Stu Warren's class, where he created a mock company—named Yardnique. It was the best grade Brian ever received in landscape horticulture, and Professor Warren's feedback was simple but powerful: “Great name.” At 21, Brian turned that project into reality. With nothing more than a stack of flyers and a mission to treat others the way you want to be treated, he launched Yardnique, envisioning just five employees. As the company grew, Brian was honored in 2012 with the Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing Yardnique's early impact. Today, nearly 29 years later, Yardnique operates over 42 locations with 2,500 employees across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Brian's journey began with a question from his dad, and has become a lifelong mission of building teams, impacting lives, and leading with purpose.

Chuck Monico is the CEO at Ryan Lawn & Tree, where he helps associates and leaders discover and develop their full potential, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves while achieving personal and professional growth. Chuck has over 30 years of experience in leadership combined with community involvement and holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Chuck believes that his work positively impacts not only the lives of Ryan Lawn & Tree associates but also the customers and communities that RYAN serves.

Dan Grange is a fifteen-year veteran of the landscape industry, spending time in both residential and commercial companies. He was first exposed to landscaping working summers with two retired teachers on small projects. After high school, Dan studied landscape management at BYU. His most recent focus has been recruiting, training and retaining field workforce for a large commercial firm. In this capacity, Dan has coached recruiters in markets across the country on best practices for finding, interviewing and onboarding front-line employees. In addition to his hiring responsibilities, Dan spent time as a project manager, working on large commercial projects. His focus was keeping projects on schedule and under budget with an emphasis on field efficiency. With the ability to communicate in English and Spanish, he has expertise training employees from entry level to branch management.

With over two decades of expertise guiding business owners through wealth creation and multi-generational preservation, Nate brings an uncommon depth of knowledge to Dew Wealth Management. His distinctive background spanning law, public accounting, financial planning, and advanced trust implementation offers clients a comprehensive perspective that addresses all facets of sophisticated wealth management. Nate's approach combines technical mastery with practical wisdom, making complex strategies accessible to the entrepreneurs he serves. As a trusted advisor to leaders of 8-figure businesses and beyond, he specializes in investment management, directed trusts, asset protection, and succession planning that safeguards both business interests and family legacies. A graduate of Minnesota State University with a Bachelor's in Philosophy and holding a Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Nate applies analytical rigor and strategic thinking to every client relationship. Beyond his professional practice, Nate serves as an executive coach for nonprofit Christian ministries and works with a select youth soccer club. He and his wife Sara of 29+ years enjoy cabin getaways and whatever time we can find with our adult children, Salem and Foster. https://www.dewwealth.com/landscape

I am an Honors Graduate from UC Davis in Environmental Horticulture. Started my career on the end of a water hose in a retail nursery in 1968. After graduating I joined the UC Cooperative Extension Service as Farm Advisor for San Francisco and San Mateo Counties where I specialized in weed control in turf and landscapes and high use athletic turf. In 1980 I joined ChemLawn Corporation as Technical Services Manager for the western United States. We opened a number of branches over the next seven years growing revenues from just over one million dollars to twenty three million. Saw the real opportunity for growth in landscape maintenance services. Joined Industrial Landscape Services in 1986 as an Account Manager and led the enhancement team as well. On March first 1989 I joined Environmental Care in Calabasas as Technical Services Manager. In 1992 was promoted to Regional Manager for NorCal and SVP in 1997 taking over the western US maintenance operations. Grew from 24 branches to 55 over the next 17 years until the merger with The Brickman Group in 2014. Held various SVP roles with BrightView managing maintenance operations until 2021 when I joined Sperber Landscape Companies. Just completed  two and a half year assignment managing maintenance operations on the Hawaiian Islands. Now working on special projects for the Sperber organization.

Chris Lee brings over 27 years of green industry experience to his role as President and CEO of Earthworks, where he leads with hands-on know-how and a clear vision for quality, safety, and service. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in Texas and Colorado, Chris's journey in landscape began humbly—pushing a mower on his very first job. He saw early on that the green industry held unlimited potential, and he's been building on that vision ever since. Today, he leads one of the region's most trusted commercial landscape teams. Chris holds TDA Chemical Applicator and TCEQ Irrigator licenses and has earned credentials from the TCC School of Horticulture and Florida State University's Financial Planning program. His leadership approach is also shaped by his experience as a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Chris currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and is a frequent contributor to leading industry publications. Whether he's walking a job site or speaking at a conference, Chris is known for elevating standards, mentoring others, and finding smart ways to help people—and landscapes—thrive. His approach blends practical experience with forward-thinking leadership, always focused on doing what's right for clients, communities, and the teams who keep it all growing.

Warren S. Gorowitz, a highly regarded leader in the landscape and irrigation industry for over 30 years, currently serves as Director of Sustainability and Social Impact. With expertise in water efficiency and sustainability, Warren holds positions on several industry association boards and is a sought-after speaker and authority on matters related to water and sustainability. At Hunter Industries, Warren is responsible for providing global leadership and strategic guidance for the organization's sustainability initiatives. He oversees the company's Climate Action Plan, the annual impact report, and the employee volunteer and giving programs including Hunter's Community Impact Grants committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California and received an Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He is a past instructor in the UCLA Extension Sustainability Certificate Program, a Global Futures Scholar at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and previously a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University in the School of Sustainability. His career at Ewing Outdoor Supply spanned 25 years where he held positions such as Vice President of Sustainability. Professional Association Involvement National Association of Landscape Board Member | Past Commercial Board Member Sports Field Management Association | Past Professional Grounds Management Society Board Member | Irrigation Association Past President | Past Green Building Initiative Board Member | Past U.S. Green Building Council Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group Vice Chair | Past Founding Board Member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency | Past American Society of Irrigation Consultants National Board Member Community Involvement Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos Board of Director |Cal State San Marcos University Council Member | San Diego North Economic Development Council Board of Director

Lukas is a 33-year-old entrepreneur based in Washington, DC, where he leads a real estate team generating $75 million in sales annually. In addition to his real estate ventures, he is partnered with a development team working on $15 million in new construction projects set to hit the market in 2025. Lukas also owns a landscaping company which he has successfully scaled since acquiring it in 2023, quadrupling the size of the business $500,000 in revenue to $2 million in revenue. Passionate about supporting his team, Lukas developed a program within his landscaping company to educate employees on the benefits of homeownership. To further assist them in achieving this goal, he offers a grant of up to $7,500 to help with down payments on their homes. His mission is to empower his employees with the knowledge and resources needed to build wealth and attain financial independence.

Jon Gohl, Director of Customer Experience at Aspire Software  joined the company in its infancy 10 years ago and has helped hundreds of clients adopt new software, embrace change, and leverage defined processes and procedures to maximize the efficiency of their united output. In his current role, Jon leads Aspire's strategic advocacy efforts, including Aspire in Universities, providing software to complement industry-specific degree programs, and Aspire Ambassadors, engaging with and leveraging relationships with our customer champions. Jon is a member of NALP's Foundation Board and serves on the NALP Government Affairs Committee to protect and secure the Green Industry's best interests. He is also proud to be a board member of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, working at the intersection of social, environmental, and climate justice to deliver education, green infrastructure, and climate safe neighborhoods. Outside of his professional life, Jon is an air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast who enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife.

Sabrina and Ryan met in 2010 while they were students in college at Wright State University. In 2015 they were married and a year later Dunham's Lawn Care was born. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Business from WSU and again in 2018 with a Master's degree in Health Education from The University of Cincinnati. Sabrina has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and today she shares that same passion with Ryan. Sabrina and Ryan work together to oversee the general operations of Dunham's Lawn Care.

Tim Ryan is the Executive Director of The Lighthouse Group, one of the principal lighting designers at the Lighthouse Design Studio, and the professional photographer capturing the beauty of the group's finished projects. With over 27 years of experience in the industry, Tim began his journey by integrating lighting into his landscape designs, eventually transitioning full-time into the outdoor lighting business after discovering the magic and transformative power of illuminated garden spaces. Since joining Lighthouse in 2015, he has been a passionate advocate for advancing the craft and is deeply committed to mentoring and educating the next generation of outdoor lighting designers. Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals- CLVLT #1724 International Landscape Lighting Institute - BOD member and Mentor Websites: The Lighthouse Group:  www.Lighthouse-Lights.com Lighthouse Design Studio:  www.Lights.Design LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ryan-793b6857/

As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company's growth and strategy while maintaining their core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud. Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees. He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 70 landscape professionals. Over his 22 years in the industry, Paul has been a part of hiring hundreds of people from all backgrounds. He is passionate about giving opportunities to others and influencing them to do things “The Sun Valley Way”. Paul has been recognized as Midlands Business Journal's 40 under 40 and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Sun Valley Landscaping has been recognized locally and nationally for their community outreach efforts by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Landscape Management, and Lawn and Landscape magazines, and most recently, the National Association of Landscape Professionals. From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.

Ryan Drake is the Vice President of J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc., a family-owned and operated full-service landscape company based in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 1989 by his parents, Joe and Natalie Drake, J.F.D. Landscapes has grown into a trusted name in the industry, combining expertise with a deep commitment to quality and community. Ryan's journey in the landscape industry began early, spending summers and winter breaks working for the family business from 2007 to 2014. After earning full-time industry experience, including a tenure with a large national landscape firm, he returned to J.F.D. Landscapes at the end of 2014, bringing fresh insights and a passion for the family legacy. Dedicated to advancing the industry, Ryan has served on the Ohio Landscape Association board since 2020 and currently holds the position of President-Elect. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the ongoing success of landscaping professionals across the region.

Prior to his acquisition of a Commercial Landscaping Company in 2022, Chris had a successful career in Finance, spending the past twelve years in consulting, mergers & acquisitions (buy and sell side transactions in the petrochemical space). He co-founded Salem Oak Vineyards in 2013, produced several award-winning wines, and helped grow the business to $750,000 in sales. He continues to serve as a strategic partner to the winery. Chris has also built a successful real estate portfolio over the past ten years transacting on $2.5 MM in single family real estate and raw land development. After overcoming initial challenges post-acquisition, Chris continues to focus on growth both organically and through bolt-on acquisitions in commercial landscaping and tree removal. When he's not chasing deals, he's spending quality time with his growing family.  

Rich is a transformative leader and pioneering environmentalist on a mission to Scale Conservation. Armed with a PhD in data science, Rich combines relentless commitment with visionary thinking to redefine our relationship with the natural world. He founded Oxygen Conservation in 2021 and has rapidly built it into one of the world's most impactful natural capital portfolios, valued at £150 million and actively transforming almost 45,000 acres into thriving ecosystems for people and wildlife. Rich is determined to make natural capital as a mainstream asset class, with the ambitious target of managing over £1 billion in assets by 2030, reshaping how the world values nature and creating positive impact at an incredible scale.   Get in touch with Rich! https://www.linkedin.com/in/richstockdale/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxygen-conservation/ https://www.oxygenconservation.com/  

Darrell Turman is a leading outdoor cooking expert and consultant based in Colorado, specializing in the design and installation of custom outdoor kitchens. With decades of hands-on experience and a deep passion for fire and gas-based cooking, Darrell helps homeowners transform their backyards into high-performance culinary spaces. Whether it's designing the perfect grill island, curating premium appliances, or managing full-scale outdoor kitchen builds, Darrell brings a rare blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and real-world experience to every project. His work seamlessly combines function, aesthetics, and a love for outdoor living—turning exterior spaces into true extensions of the home. Respected for his approachable style and deep industry knowledge, Darrell is a trusted resource for anyone serious about elevating their outdoor cooking setup. From built-in gas grills, pizza ovens, and smokers to pergolas, refrigeration, and custom cabinetry, he's here to talk design, technique, and the appliances that make it all possible. Get ready to fire things up—because when Darrell's involved, outdoor living meets serious flavor.

Andrew Martin, founder of Urban Landcare, has worked in the landscape industry for 25 years, including 20 years in San Diego. After obtaining degrees in Business and Horticulture, Andrew was recruited by the largest landscape maintenance company in the country, Valleycrest. His primary experience includes managing large-scale, high-demand landscapes, such as military bases and master-planned communities. His career has spanned landscape management for commercial and industrial properties, residential estates, HOAs, hotels, and apartment buildings. After gaining valuable experience in large-scale firms, Andrew followed his passion and pursued his entrepreneurial dream. In 2018, he launched Urban Landcare, a commercial landscape maintenance firm based in Encinitas, CA. The company strives to be the best commercial landscaper in San Diego County. Urban Landcare operates two key divisions: Enhancements/Irrigation and Maintenance. With a strong focus on water management, the company is at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges presented by California's changing environment. In just six years, Urban Landcare has grown from a start-up to serving over 60 maintenance properties and employing 30 people. As Urban continues to grow organically, it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and fostering a culture of care for its clients and employees.

Jerry Schill founded Schill Grounds Management in 1993, and as CEO he sets the strategic vision for the company and makes executive and financial decisions that drive profitable growth and scale. Beginning in 2020, Jerry partnered with Argonne Capital to proactively drive consolidation in the highly fragmented commercial grounds management and snow and ice removal industry by acquiring independent privately held businesses that add contiguous geographic expansion for Schill. Jerry has three decades of leadership experience, and he believes in running the business with family values, integrity, respect and honesty. He also holds leadership positions with industry professional organizations including serving as an active member of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association's Government Affairs Committee and the Ohio Landscape Association's Snow and Ice Committee. Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Glenville State College. He is also the founder of Holiday Feast, an annual event that provides free meals for thousands of people in the Cleveland area. Jerry's contributions to the industry were recognized when he was chosen for the National Leadership Award by SNOW Magazine and Lawn & Landscape Magazine.   Connect with Jerry! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-schill-2b010b1a/ https://www.schilllandscaping.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/schill-grounds-management/

Account Executive at TOP Green, a company revolutionizing the commercial landscaping industry. A veteran of the US Marine Corps, Sean brings that same discipline and strategic focus to the world of SaaS, empowering businesses to embrace cutting-edge technology and achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency. With a passion for driving impactful change, he's helping hardworking businesses across the country optimize their operations, reduce inefficiencies, and unlock their full potential.  Connect with Sean! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-eddy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-turing-company/ https://theturingcompany.com/products/topgreen/landscaping/  

Evan Shufflebarger Evan is a native of Topeka, KS and a University of Kansas alumni with a diverse background in consulting, investing, and M&A. After starting his career in internal consulting at a Fortune 150 financial services firm, he transitioned to buyside credit investing, where he advanced from data analytics for structured products to managing private equity investments and commercial real estate lending. Evan's next role, his first in M&A, was with a large family-owned logistics company, focusing on acquisitions, joint ventures, and capital projects. Since joining HeartLand in 2020, he has led or supported over 20 acquisitions, driving sourcing, diligence, and integration while shaping the company's Business Intelligence strategy. Evan is a former Kansas City 20 Under 30 honoree and ACG Corporate Development Professional to Watch. Tanner Spross Tanner started in the landscaping industry at a young age, growing up in his father's business and working in the summers and weekends on installation crews. In 2012, the family business merged with Santa Rita Landscaping, and upon graduating from the University of Arizona, Tanner became the full time estimator for its Commercial and Public Works Division. Over time Tanner served as the companies Director of Sales and Operations, before ultimately becoming the President and CEO in 2018. In his time as the President and CEO of Santa Rita Landscaping, Tanner was able grow the business over 300%, greenfield operations into the Phoenix Market, lead M&A activity for the business, and lead the sale side of the business twice, most recently in 2023 when the business partnered with HeartLand. Since joining the HeartLand team, Tanner has since become Operating Partner for the Southwest Region, providing leadership for the HeartLand companies throughout the Southwest United States.

Colin grew up in southern England in the countryside spending most of his childhood on a farm with a love of wild flower meadows and nature. His passion led him to employment within conservation organisations but in the late 1990's when his best friend lost his wife in tragic circumstances he switched jobs to help support him with his woodland consultancy business and out of the blue they landed a fascinating contract advising on and managing wildlife habitat restoration projects for a philanthropic family on a large country estate, many of these projects involved grassland areas which had lost their floral content. This serendipitous event was the start of his wild flower meadow journey. The owner of the estate gave him great support and freedom, allowing him to experiment with different methods for creating and restoring wild flower meadows on her land. At that time there was a lot of different advice being given from various organisations regarding how one should go about creating or restoring these special habitats. Colin trialled various methods, some did not work at all, he sowed the seeds but just grass came up and other methods produced a few wild flowers after a long period of time and others produced a profusion of weeds very quickly! He was convinced that there had to be better ways and quicker ways to create very floristic and diverse meadows. It took time and experimentation but eventually he was able to reliably create colourful and diverse native wild flower grasslands in most situations and had learnt how to deal with the weed issues that dogged some of the earlier attempts. Colin began creating wild flower areas for other people and set up the current ‘Wild Flower Lawns and Meadows' website originally as a hobby, expanding it with blogs sharing experience and knowledge gained in the field (literally) and the interest it created not only within the UK but internationally took him by surprise and now it is a multi-faceted company selling unique wild flower products and involved with more native wild flower projects than he could ever have imagined when he started.

Rob Murray is the Co-founder and CEO of Intrigue Media, a digital marketing company that has been empowering and growing businesses in the home improvement space for the last 15 years. Intrigue has been on Canada's Growth 500 list for four years, is a Google Premier Partner and is Meta Certified. Rob directs the organizational vision, works with clients to grow their businesses, and ensures that Intrigue has the right people and the right tools to get results. He is the past President of the Entrepreneurs' Organization in Southwest Ontario and past digital marketing chair for his local hospital board.

Brad started his first landscape business at age 8 with his older brother. They started in residential landscape maintenance with a route of 10 homes. After 4 years of building the business, they landed their first commercial accounts maintaining 2 hospital campuses in Denver, CO. He ran his company for a total of 10 years and sold the company at the age of 18. To broaden his life experience and serve people in a foreign country, Brad took two years off from college and work to serve as a missionary for his church in Brazil. During this time, he learned Portuguese and developed his leadership skills overseeing 200 missionaries while managing the mission operations throughout the state of Sao Paulo. He returned to college to pursue a degree in Horticulture with a focus in irrigation and water management where he competed in and won numerous events at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.  Coming out of college, Brad had offers from most of the major landscape players in the country but was looking for a company where he could pursue his interest in smart irrigation and water management. Par 3, located in Las Vegas, was the perfect fit as they were the clear leader in a market that was conserving more water than any place in the country.  Par 3 was years ahead of the competition in water management, but Brad saw a need to develop and grow irrigation management alongside their water conservation programs. Brad convinced the owners that he could build a stand-alone irrigation division that would create uniformity and professionalism amongst the scattered group of irrigation techs that already worked for the company.  Brad's success in building a new division from the ground up as a recent college graduate put him on an accelerated career path and less than 3 years after joining Par 3 he became the Director of Operations where he oversees nearly 600 employees and over $50 million in annual revenue.

Jennifer Lemcke brings over 30 years of experience to her leadership role at Weed Man, where she first began her career as a manager trainee in Ottawa in 1993. Over the years, Jennifer has worked in every department within the company, gaining hands-on knowledge and a deep understanding of the lawn care industry. Her journey with Weed Man saw her rise from General Manager of Weed Man Ottawa, where she helped grow the franchise revenue from $200,000 to $2 million in five years, to a key player in the company's expansion across North America. Her leadership played a crucial role in launching the Weed Man brand in the United States, and she later acquired global rights to the brand in 2018. As the driving force behind Weed Man's success, Jennifer oversees operations in over 853 territories across the United States and Canada, with franchise system sales surpassing $390 million. Her passion for supporting franchisees and creating growth opportunities has led to the launch of Mosquito Hero, a new sub-brand aimed at providing additional revenue streams. Outside of work, Jennifer values her family life and takes pride in fostering a sense of community within the Weed Man family. An avid traveler and golf enthusiast, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and contributing to the future growth of the company. Register for the Weathermatic x Wilson360 Webinar: https://bit.ly/WeathermaticW360

Rick Grimes is a 30-year technology professional, with deep experience in Marketing, Operations, and Data Analysis. He has held leadership positions at companies of all sizes, ranging from some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Microsoft and Yahoo, to small startups that were still figuring out what to call themselves. Rick caught the AI bug about two years ago and has been using, teaching, and evangelizing AI ever since. He has taught hundreds of people how to incorporate AI into both their professional and personal workflows to create efficiencies and enable new capabilities. He uses AI to supercharge many aspects of his day, from engaging it as a strategic thought partner to helping him create copy to building a Spanish tutor for his son so Rick could watch his Steelers play while his son worked on his Spanish vocabulary. Rick is currently Director of Marketing at Ai Layer Labs, a Web3 startup at the intersection of AI and blockchain.

This is Brant Wichman who has run a successful high-end landscape construction company in Lincoln Nebraska for the past 14 years. As a contractor he interacted with customers each and every day and kept thinking that there has to be a way to help contractors know their client better before they step foot on their property. A reverse Angie, a reverse BBB.... something. One day he took a leap of faith and took the blue collar mentality to tech country and started to develop this app for contractors. A few years later Customer Insight NOW was born.  A fast and easy-to-use software that allows a contractor to look up critical information on their client before they even step foot out of their trucks!! Ability to pay, Credit Score, disposable income, and more is what you will get with this!! All for less than 10 bucks. If you are in sales, you know that there are many ways to pitch or sell a client.... but if you knew who your client was before you got out of your truck.... Game Over! Check out their website at https://www.customerinsightnow.com/?aff=diGs0zKL78zS

An experienced operational leader with a proven track record in the horticulture and arboriculture industries, I am passionate about plants, trees, and fostering growth—both for nature and the people I work with. Over the years, I have developed expertise in team building, negotiation, budgeting, plant identification, and operations management, all of which have contributed to my success in leading diverse teams. My leadership is centered around creating collaborative, high-performing environments that drive results and adapt seamlessly to change. I find great satisfaction in helping others grow professionally, mentoring team members to achieve their career aspirations and build a sense of purpose in their work. Throughout my career, I have led large teams through significant transitions, ensuring smooth operations and maintaining morale during challenging periods. My focus on team development has been key to empowering individuals, promoting a culture of support, and achieving collective success. With a deep passion for horticulture, I am dedicated to creating environments where both people and plants thrive, cultivating a sense of fulfillment and achievement in all that I do.

Michael Ding, a Stanford-trained computer science and AI researcher, founded Bobyard to tackle critical challenges in the landscape construction industry. During his time in school, Michael identified a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and one of the most essential yet overlooked sectors in construction. Driven by his vision, he decided to drop out of Stanford to found Bobyard, bringing together a world-class team of AI engineers and industry veterans. Together, they're building solutions to help contractors work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

James Lawrence, at just 25 years old, has successfully grown his business from the ground up, achieving remarkable growth over the past four years. His approach to leadership emphasizes building strong systems and processes, but above all, fostering a culture where people come first. For James, the most fulfilling aspect of his work is witnessing his team members grow within the company, accomplishing goals they once considered out of reach — both personally and for their families. With a clear vision, James is dedicated to creating a company known for its exceptional quality and as a workplace where people are proud to belong.

Norman Ripper is a dedicated entrepreneur and former military professional with a background in Chinese Mandarin. After serving six years in the military, Norman returned to Florida and founded Helping Hand Lawn Care in 2003. Over the past two decades, he has grown the company from a door-to-door residential mowing service into a thriving business with 83 employees, achieving significant growth in the last six years. In 2024, Norman marked a major milestone with the acquisition of Protex, a local Fertilization & Pest Control business, further expanding Helping Hand Lawn Care's offerings.

Brian Hamilton is one of America's most successful entrepreneurs and a leading expert on entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Sageworks, America's first fintech company, which helped millions of business owners translate complex financial information. The company was sold in 2018 to a leading private equity firm and now operates as "Abrigo." In 2021, Brian invested in LiveSwitch and expanded its operations in the United States. Brian is also founder of Inmates to Entrepreneurs, an international program dedicated to teaching people with criminal records how to start their own businesses. He stars in the television series Free Enterprise on ABC, based on the Inmates to Entrepreneurs program. Hamilton has been widely featured in the press including USA Today, Newsweek, and CNBC and is the recipient of many awards, including the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award. LiveSwitch is a leading communications platform that uses instant video to transform how people work and scale their businesses. LiveSwitch makes it easier for business owners to connect with customers and document their work in real-time. LiveSwitch clients include entrepreneurs, small businesses and global Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries. https://www.liveswitch.com/

Chris Ryon Chris Ryon has been dedicated to the service industry since the age of 15. Growing up around Publix Supermarkets alongside his father, he developed a deep love for serving people. He graduated from USC Upstate with a degree in Accounting and has been a "numbers guy" ever since. Chris joined The Budd Group in 2019 as a Regional Field Accountant in the janitorial division for the South Carolina region. In 2021, with The Budd Group's increased investment in the landscape division to support growth, he transitioned to the role of Landscape Accounting Manager. This year, he was promoted to Controller of the landscape division. Chris's journey in the landscape industry has been incredibly rewarding. He feels privileged to be part of an industry that is relationally close, operationally dynamic, and seasonally intriguing. Over the years, Chris has attended three NALP leadership conference events (Elevate), connected with numerous industry leaders, and played a key role in implementing The Budd Group's first operational software, Aspire, within the landscaping division. Looking forward, he anticipates many more exciting firsts with The Budd Group and within the landscape industry. Michael Bingham Michael Bingham, a seasoned professional with over 28 years in the service industry, boasts a Magna Cum Laude distinction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His impressive 21-year tenure at The Budd Group has seen him excel in various management roles, including Branch Manager, Regional Manager, Regional Director, Area Vice President, and Vice President. Michael's leadership has garnered numerous accolades for the company, such as Branch of the Year, Safety Branch of the Year, Account of the Year, and the prestigious President's Award. However, he finds the greatest reward in witnessing the career advancement of his team members and the satisfaction of his clients. Currently spearheading The Budd Group's landscape division, Michael is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and sustainable growth, paving the way for further career development opportunities as the company expands its footprint across the southeastern United States.

Jenny Girard is currently an Implementation Specialist with BOSS Software at The Integra Group, a business solutions company dedicated to serving the green and snow industries. In this role, Jenny leverages her extensive industry expertise to onboard new clients, optimizing their operations and improving their efficiency through BOSS's innovative software solutions. Her commitment to driving growth and operational excellence is complemented by her pursuit of an MBA to enhance her business skills and strategic insights. Before joining The Integra Group, Jenny held key roles across the green industry and snow industries. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Plant Science from SUNY Cobleskill and has over 15 years of experience. Those roles included Production at Longwood Gardens, Specialty Landscape Designer at Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Parks, and Area Manager for RM Landscape. While she was at RM Landscape, she oversaw accounts and operations in Buffalo, NY, for both green and snow as well as served as the strategic coordinator for corporate initiatives. Jenny's dedication to the green and snow industries is reflected in her active contributions to several committees with NALP, SIMA, and the Patch Project. In recognition of her leadership, she was named NALP's Young Professional of the Year in 2023.

Matt Bradbury is the founder and managing principal of Business Acquisition & Merger Associates (BAMA), a boutique M&A advisory firm he established 20 years ago after a successful 15-year career in multi-unit start-ups, turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. Under his leadership, BAMA has grown into a respected firm, facilitating the sale of 10-12 companies annually, each generating $1M to $15M in EBITDA. With a track record spanning more than 215 transactions and $1.8 billion in transaction volume, Matt has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional results. His expertise extends deeply into the landscaping and facility services industries, where BAMA has closed over $200 million in transactions. These include companies specializing in installation, maintenance, chemical application, tree services, growing operations, and other facility services. In addition to advisory services, Matt's entrepreneurial spirit led to an investment alongside a client four years ago. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, this venture has become one of the largest players in the Carolinas' landscaping sector. Matt's unique combination of hands-on operational experience and M&A acumen continues to drive success for BAMA and its clients.

Brett Stoehr is a Vice President at Unity Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm that is focused on people-based services. Brett focuses on investing in and scaling residential, commercial, and industrial services businesses.  Prior to Unity, Brett served on the investment team at CenterOak Partners.  He began his career in investment banking at Piper Sandler, where he worked with business owners and private equity firms on mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs.  He's completed over 50 transactions worth an aggregate ~$6 billion in deal value. Brett received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and his BBA from Texas A&M University. Brett grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and is passionate about helping owners scale their businesses to provide more life opportunities to the teammates within each business.

David Koehn David Koehn is the founder and president of Koehn Outdoor, formerly DM Koehn Landscaping, Inc. David learned the construction and green industry at an early age by working with his father Douglas W. Koehn at his Class A Contracting business in Franklin, VA. After receiving a 2-year degree in industrial technology from a local community college, David moved from Franklin, VA to Jacksonville, FL in 2001 and started DM Koehn Landscaping in 2004, when he was only 24 years old. In its humble beginnings, David's business was a one-man residential mowing operation. With the company's success, David added more employees, equipment, and trucks and began focusing growing the business commercially. Early in life, David was taught that, “when you do something, you do it right and with integrity” —  a life lesson that has become one of the Koehn Outdoor's core values. Over time, Koehn Outdoor has developed into a market-leading commercial landscape management company with over 120 full-time employees. The company has developed award-winning hardscapes and beautiful amenity centers throughout the state of Florida. Having adapted a culture of continuous learning, training, and strategic planning, David and the Koehn Outdoor leadership team hold many green industry certifications and licenses and are involved in many industry professional associations. In 2018, Koehn Outdoor engaged with green industry specialist Envisor Consulting. The Envisor team holds leadership accountable for achieving goals and maintaining a level of customer service that is unmatched in Northeast Florida — which coincides with David's personal promise to his clients that Koehn Outdoor provides the most customer value for the most competitive price possible. When not working, David enjoys spending time with his two younger children Leah and Lucas. They enjoy traveling, going to the beach, church services at Eleven 22 church, and being involved in the local Jacksonville Beach community events. Kurt Bland Kurt Bland grew up in Apex, NC as an avid outdoorsman, working a variety of jobs in his family's landscaping business. He attended North Carolina State University and earned bachelor's degrees in Agri-Business Management and Horticulture Science. He began his management career with Del Conte Landscaping in Northern California. Since returning to Bland Landscaping Company (BLC) 23 years ago, Kurt has led BLC's southeastern expansion in partnership with his brother Matt Bland and their executive team. The two brothers recapitalized their 49-year-old family-owned business with Prospect Partners in 2017 and have built one of the country's most well respected commercial exterior service platforms, focused on landscape grounds management and aquatic services. As a platform, BLC has acquired and successfully integrated 6 landscape add-on acquisitions along with 2 aquatic add-on acquisitions under the DBA Foster Lake and Pond Management. These investments have provided liquidity to fund the retirement of ten previous owners who were ready to retire. In 2024, Prospect Partners exited their investment in BLC, allowing Kurt and his team to join the private equity portfolio of Comvest Partners. With more than $13B of assets under management, Comvest Partners will enable BLC to fulfill its vision of building the most successful landscape and aquatic services platform in the Southeastern United States. An engaged and forward-thinking industry leader, Kurt speaks on a variety of business-related topics at universities and industry events. He is respected as an authority in leading a multi-generation family business, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and entrepreneurial business strategy. Kurt volunteers as Vice Chair of the North Carolina Irrigation Contractors Licensing Board and is a major supporter of The Frankie Lemmon School. In his down time, you will find Kurt and his wife Meredith on, under, or near the water, traveling abroad, going to a concert, or sharing laughs around a table with their friends and 3 black labrador retrievers.

Jeff Domenick is a well-respected and experienced leader in the landscape industry, with a career spanning over 25 years. Jeff's leadership and industry experience have been instrumental in the acquisition, integration, and assimilation of six market-leading companies to establish KeyServ's platform. Before founding KeyServ Company, Jeff led the Mountain West Division of SiteOne Landscape Supply, where he transformed the region with the acquisition and integration of eleven family-owned companies and achieved strong year-over-year organic growth. Jeff has also held leadership positions with leading design/build and maintenance firms, and industry manufacturing companies. In addition to his professional achievements, Jeff is also committed to giving back to his community. He volunteers as a mentor with Florida's Take Stock In Children program, which provides either a four-year scholarship to a school within the Florida University System or a qualified technical/trade school when the student successfully completes the program. When he's not busy leading KeyServ Company or volunteering, Jeff enjoys captaining his boat and spending time with his wife and two kids in Northern Florida.

Dana is a Managing Partner at Verde Equity Partners, a lower middle market private equity group that is focused on the landscape industry. Dana is experienced owner or operator in property adjacent businesses, including General Manager (2020-2022) for Goettl Air Conditioning and Plumbing (acquired by Cortec in 2021), prior owner of Cricket Lawn Care, which maintained sites for the City of Orange, churches and schools, commercial and residential accounts throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties (1990-1994), and prior owner of Promised Land Nursery in Las Vegas, which sold to Southwest Rock (2003). Dana operated, grew and exited multiple property management companies (2006 Mission Sands; 2022 Total Property Management). Dana has been an angel investor and co-founder of numerous ventures, including an audiobook business, which sold in a private equity rollup in that industry. Dana's legal career included a role as Managing Partner of two law firms. Dana serves as an adjunct professor of law at San Diego's law schools, and he sits on three company boards as a neutral director.

Steve Steele, Steele Dynamic Services, LLC., joined the Wilson team in July 2020. Formerly Vice President of Business Systems for Heartland, LLC, a private equity financed holding company that acquired Keesen Landscape Management in November 2016, Steve has deep expertise in corporate finance and administration, including mergers and acquisitions, performance improvement, business process redesign, technology implementation, and change management. Steve brings a personalized approach and collaborative spirit to the Wilson team, ensuring that clients benefit over the long term. As financial practice leader, Steve will help clients identify and capture efficiency and effectiveness opportunities in their core operations, pursue and address unique challenges facing landscape services leaders, and evaluate opportunities to capitalize on emerging industry trends. Steele earned an MBA, with honors, in Finance and Accounting from Regis University, Denver, Colorado. He is a graduate of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he received a BBA in Business Management. Steve has served in leadership roles on GreenCo.'s legislative committee, was a member of the board of directors and an officer of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, and served as a board member and president of the Rocky Mountain Classic. In addition, Steve has been an active voice for the green industry's H2B problem and led an advocacy delegation to Washington D.C., to speak on its behalf to the U.S. Congress. A virtual native of Colorado, Steve is a lifelong travel adventurer, a passionate travel photographer and can be found on Instagram @WalksYourWay.

Mark Tipton Mark Tipton, founder, and CEO of Aspire, has led the company to its position as a true, end-to-end business partner that uniquely leverages software, services, and education to transform the way field service businesses operate, empowering greater performance and profitability. Mark's relentless drive to create innovative solutions that address customer needs, promote industry best practices, and resolve persistent challenges has guided Aspire's strategic initiatives. As a service-oriented and open leader, Mark has focused on driving rapid growth while cultivating a positive, engaged company culture that allows high-performing teams to develop key capabilities, execute value-driven solutions, and deliver exceptional user experiences that improve Aspire clients' lives. Whitney Griffin Whitney Griffin, senior product owner at Aspire with a doctorate in plant sciences, brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the team, while always advocating for the "boots on the ground." Prior to joining Aspire three years ago, Whitney ran the maintenance division for a green roof contractor in D.C.; taught landscape design, construction, and maintenance at Texas A&M University; and served as lead designer for a landscape construction firm in Austin, Texas. When she isn't dissecting user workflows, you can find her on her bike, in her flower garden, or playing with her latest foster dog.

Jonathan Mond, an accomplished international speaker and coach has invested countless hours addressing audiences and collaborating with teams. His focus is sparking strategic discussions about the profound impact of small improvements, whether it's just 1% or a single day's enhancement. This approach acts as a catalyst, unlocking profitability and propelling businesses toward their full potential. Drawing from over five years of experience as a Scaling Up Certified Coach, Jonathan brings an infectious energy and unbridled passion to his presentations. His speaking style is both magnetic and absorbing, captivating audiences with real-life case studies. Jonathan excels at demystifying intricate financial concepts, transforming them into easily digestible insights. This ensures that attendees leave armed with actionable takeaways that can make a tangible impact.

Ryan Malone is a second-generation landscape professional and the General Manager of Malone's Landscape Management. Growing up immersed in the green industry, Ryan gained hands-on experience in all aspects of the business, from working on crews to managing nursery operations. After playing collegiate baseball, Ryan returned to lead the maintenance company, bringing a fresh perspective and energy to the team. Under his leadership, Malone's Landscape Management has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list in both 2020 and 2022. In addition to his professional achievements, Ryan is an accomplished ultra-athlete. He has summited Mt. Rainier multiple times, completed a full Ironman Triathlon in 2023, and finished a 100-mile Ultramarathon in 2024. Ryan continues to grow Malone's Landscape alongside his parents, Jim and Debbie, and his brother Jake.

James founded Terry's Landscape in 2011 after working for various commercial landscaping companies and selling lawn maintenance services as a kid. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in soil science and a minor in horticulture. In his role as CEO of Terry's, James primarily focuses on business strategy, organizational structure, team member development, and client relations. He is truly a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for a strong team culture, well-defined processes, and continual learning.

For the past 26 years, Josh has worked in the landscape industry.  After graduating from Virginia Tech, he relocated to southern California and began his career in the wholesale nursery industry where he served as Director of Operations for a 250 acre growing facility.  In 2002, he transitioned into Landscape Management as an Account Manager and Sports Turf Manager at TruGreen LandCare.  In 2005, he went to work for Brickman in San Diego where he held positions from Enhancement Manager to Vice President and General Manager for both the LA and San Diego Markets.  In 2017 and after the transition to BrightView, Josh was promoted to Senior Vice President of the Southwest and later to Group Senior Vice President of the Southwest and Texas where he oversaw teams of up to 3,000 employees and $400M in revenue. Josh now serves as CEO of the newly formed Osprey Landscape Group based out of San Diego.  Osprey was formed as a holding company in late 2023 and currently operates Pacific Landscape Management in Portland, OR and Pacific Landscape Maintenance in Seattle, WA.  Building on Pacific's strong reputation for quality and culture in the Pacific Northwest, Osprey is continuing it's expansion across the western United States through organic growth and a strong M&A strategy.

Kevin McHale, along with his brother Steve, founded McHale Landscape Design in 1981 upon graduation from West Virginia University. Kevin is President of McHale Landscape Design and has served on the University of Maryland Landscape Advisory Board, The Penn St Landscape Advisory Board and as LCA President in 1996 and again in 2006. Kevin was recognized by the LCA last year with the Landscape Leadership Award which is presented to landscape professionals who have shown exceptional leadership and have positively impacted the landscape industry. McHale Landscape Design is a “Residential Design Build/Estate Gardening Firm” serving the Washington DC market including Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The company operates 6 locations throughout the region and also maintains a 50 Acre Nursery which caters only to the McHale client base. The firm has won over 400 local and national Landscape Awards. The McHale business model focuses on the “Single Source” philosophy and the company employs “In House” carpentry and masonry crews to assure the clients experience is exceptionally seamless.

Brett Gordon is the COO and a Partner of Focal Pointe, a $50M commercial landscaping company serving the Midwestern United States.  After founding and leading Signature Landscapes of Oklahoma, Brett and the Signature team chose to bring their operational excellence to Focal Pointe's platform of industry leading customer service and retention. Brett is a Landscape Architect graduate from Oklahoma State University, and his passion for creating beautiful spaces has only grown.  As COO, Brett is responsible for leading the company's seven Branch Managers throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.  In his free time, Brett enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and streaking the OSU campus during home football games. Connect with Brett on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-gordon-9b28b52b/

Jenny Girard is currently an Implementation Specialist with BOSS Software at The Integra Group, a business solutions company dedicated to serving the green and snow industries. In this role, Jenny leverages her extensive industry expertise to onboard new clients, optimizing their operations and improving their efficiency through BOSS's innovative software solutions. Her commitment to driving growth and operational excellence is complemented by her pursuit of an MBA to enhance her business skills and strategic insights. Before joining The Integra Group, Jenny held key roles across the green industry and snow industries. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Plant Science from SUNY Cobleskill and has over 15 years of experience. Those roles included Production at Longwood Gardens, Specialty Landscape Designer at Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Parks, and Area Manager for RM Landscape. While she was at RM Landscape, she oversaw accounts and operations in Buffalo, NY, for both green and snow as well as served as the strategic coordinator for corporate initiatives. Jenny's dedication to the green and snow industries is reflected in her active contributions to several committees with NALP, SIMA, and the Patch Project. In recognition of her leadership, she was named NALP's Young Professional of the Year in 2023.

Christianna holds the title of Chief Financial Officer for Landscape Workshop.  Landscape Workshop is a commercial landscaping company headquartered in Birmingham, AL and was listed as number 27 on Lawn and Landscape's most recent Top 100 list, with projected revenue of over $145M for 2024.  Christianna has been with Landscape Workshop since 2015.  She has also worked for M&T bank in Buffalo, New York. Christianna received a BS in Economics and Business Administration from Birmingham-Southern College.  Christianna Chairs the Rotaract Club of Birmingham's Foundation Board and enjoys running, watching sports (Roll Tide and Go Bills), and most of all spending time with her husband, Cole and two children Harlow (3) and Jack (1).

Matt Hunter is the owner and President of New Garden Landscaping and Nursery, Nature's Select Piedmont and Landscape Irrigation Systems (LIS) in Greensboro, NC. While New Garden has been in business for 47 years, Matt joined the team in 2015 as The Director of Business Development. Matt purchased New Garden from Morris Newlin in 2020 and now serves as President and CEO.  In the spring of 2024 he purchased Nature's Select Piedmont which is a biologically enhanced lawn care company and Landscape Irrigation Systems (LIS) which is a leader in irrigation service and installation. Prior to his work at New Garden, he worked for TruGreen and John Deere Landscapes in various roles including sales and management. Matt received an associate degree in horticulture from North Carolina State University and a bachelors of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Matt has served as the legislative chair for the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association for the last 4 years. Outside of work Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Christie of 23 years and his two daughters Katelyn who is a Sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill and Alexis who is a Junior at East Forsyth High School. Matt also enjoys working on his golf game and fly fishing.    

Greg Wittstock, The Pond Guy, is owner and CEO of Aquascape, Inc., which he founded in 1991. He has been dabbling in water gardens since the age of 12 and has a love of everything water and turtles. After experimenting with ponds for over eight years, Greg had a “light bulb” moment during a drive home from the boring summer job he took during college in 1990. He decided that he wanted to do something he loved for a living – he wanted to build ponds. Just 30 seconds later, he had a company name, Aquascape. The next year, Greg began building ponds during his breaks in the school year. From there, he developed the Aquascape business model, which includes a mix of distribution, retail, and contractor services. Aquascape Inc. is now the leading manufacturer of water feature products in North America, serving and educating thousands of customers world-wide. Greg authored The Pond Guy on Marketing, has appeared on the cover of Inc. Magazine, and was a cast member of Nat Geo Wild's Pond Stars series. Follow Greg's current adventures on his YouTube channel as he meets incredible people, views beautiful water features, and shares what it means to truly love and be Living the Aquascape Lifestyle®. https://www.youtube.com/gregwittstockthepondguy