Read more about these NALP members and partners in the news.
Gothic Landscape Names New CEO
Roger Zino, vice chairman of Gothic Landscape, has been named the new CEO. Jon Georgio, the current CEO, will remain chairman of the board. He will also continue to be active in his passions such as distinctive customer relationships and the company’s family culture.
Zino has been active in the company and has spearheaded several strategic capability-building efforts over the last six months. He is known for his passion for the landscape profession and desire to continually innovate. He has served as president of ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, CEO of ValleyCrest Companies and as vice chairman of BrightView during the company’s integration. Prior to ValleyCrest, he was a partner at McKinsey & Co. and served a range of diversified businesses.
“Roger’s increasing involvement in our company has confirmed and further energized us all to the fabulous growth opportunities we have in front of us,” Georgio says. “His experience in scaling service businesses, combined with his genuine passion for the landscape profession, comes at the perfect time in our company’s evolution.”
Ron Georgio, founder of Gothic’s maintenance division will assume the role of vice chairman. Nada Dune will continue her role as chief operating officer of the maintenance division, which has expanded over the past four years and is a key growth area for the company.
“I am deeply honored the Georgio family has entrusted me with the responsibility of continuing the company’s family legacy as the first non-family CEO,” Zino says. “In working closely with the company over the past 18 months I have been equally impressed with all it has accomplished, as well as the unique potential it has in the coming years to expand its distinctive mark on the industry. The family’s willingness to continue to invest in its future and expand its vision of the company’s leadership, speaks to the multi-generational view the family has of its commitment to this business.”
The Bruce Company Re-Develops Garden Center
The Bruce Company, Wisconsin’s largest residential and commercial landscape contractor, began a rezoning process to re-develop their 16-acre parcel that houses their aging garden center.
The 69-year-old company says they needed to create a destination venue for customers who had been diverted by highway changes.
Aside from the 25,000-square-foot retail garden store and greenhouse, The Bruce Company plans over the next 10 years to build several multi-family apartment buildings for 750 residents and mixed-use buildings offering commercial space including the company’s headquarters.
“We wanted to stay in Middleton, where we have served generations of customers,” says Seth Nicholson, president of The Bruce Company. “The development will give us the resources to improve our customer experience and enhance our focus as our customers’ outdoor living experts.”
The development proposal calls for parkland-like landscaping for the new construction and better access to the nearby Pheasant Branch Creek.
Ruppert Landscape Names New Branch Manager and Hosts Virtual Awards Ceremony
Ruppert Landscape has promoted Brian Kinsella to branch manager of the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania location.
Kinsella has been with Ruppert for over 13 years, joining the company right out of college as a crew member. He studied at Rowan College at Gloucester County and is a Certified Landscape Technician. He worked his way up to enhancement manager and served in this role at both the King of Prussia and Toughkenamon branches at different times.
In 2019, he participated in Ruppert’s Associate Branch Manager leadership development program. As branch manager, Kinsella will be responsible for the overall welfare of the King of Prussia branch, including the safety and development of his team, strategic planning and budgeting, training, customer service, and day-to-day operations.
“Brian’s success can be attributed to his strong work ethic and can-do attitude,” says John Harich, region manager in the company’s landscape management division. “He is already making a big impact in the branch by recruiting talent to strengthen his team, and we’re excited to see him further develop and lead that team.”
Ruppert also recently hosted their annual awards virtually for the first time. Typically, the awards are presented after the two-day Management Development Days (MDD) conference.
“While we missed seeing everyone in person, we have enjoyed reimagining this event in a fun new format and were grateful for the opportunity to connect with our team members virtually,” says Phil Key, company president. “Perhaps the most rewarding part of the program was when we recognized stand-out employees throughout the company whose remarkable talent and contributions have benefited our customers and our employees. We are grateful for their service and truly proud of their achievements, especially during a year which put many obstacles in our path. This year’s MDD theme was ‘Adapt and Overcome,’ and these individuals did just that.”
The Clyde Vadner Merit Award went to Michael Vispi branch manager in the Lilburn, Georgia, landscape management branch. This award is presented to an individual who has contributed continuous, consistent, long-term hard work, dedication and job skill that has helped to shape the company.
The Achievement Award was presented to Paul Pestun, director of business development in the landscape construction division. This award recognizes an employee who has made a significant contribution in 2020 through outstanding job execution and high-quality results.
This year’s Distinction Award was given collectively to team members of the accounting and payroll department. This award is presented in appreciation for exemplary dedication and devotion to the principles and ideals of the company.
There were also 27 recipients of the Branch Impact Awards, which are given to employees whose outstanding dedication and contributions made a positive impact on their individual branch.
Davey Tree Names East San Antonio District Manager
Davey Tree Expert Company has promoted Jess Divin to district manager of Davey’s East San Antonio Residential/Commercial (R/C) services office.
Divin started with Davey in 2007 at Boulder, Colorado where he worked as climber, crew leader and plant health care technician until 2012. He left Davey for a period to work as an urban forester park ranger superintendent until returning in 2019 as a sales arborist. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist and holds qualifications in Tree Risk Assessment, Texas Oak Wilt and Fire Risk Reduction through ISA. He also holds a Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator license.
“Jess has a passion for trees and a commitment to customer service that will continue to prove invaluable to our team and clients in East San Antonio,” says Andrew Ferguson, vice president, western R/C operations. “He will make a great impact on our team and I’m looking forward to seeing his future successes.”
