Read more about these NALP members and partners in the news.
Mariani Premier Group Acquires Planted Earth Landscaping
Planted Earth Landscaping has been added to the Mariani Premier Group’s growing family of companies. This is the 14th company acquired by Mariani and the first entry into the Mid-Atlantic states.
Headquartered in Sykesville, Maryland, Planted Earth was founded in 2010. They specialize in horticulture maintenance and provide high-quality, personalized landscape management to residential clients. The team provides full construction management services and partners with reputable contractors and architectural design firms in the Baltimore and DC area to provide project-enhancing services in specialty areas.
“When we were first approached by Frank Mariani to join the Mariani Premier Group, the emotions were overwhelming,” says Chris Vedrani, president of Planted Earth. “We were excited, nervous and flattered to be included in such a unique and groundbreaking vision. Planted Earth was founded on these very same principles. This is the reason we decided to partner with them – our beliefs and visions aligned. We are extremely excited to say that we are part of the Mariani Premier Group family. We are committed to the hard work and excellence that this group of the industry’s best demands.”
Bartlett Tree Experts Promote Four New Division Managers
Bartlett Tree Experts has added two new divisions in New England and promoted four division managers.
David Chalker has been promoted to the division manager of Southern New England, overseeing operations from Cape Cod and the Islands to Rhode Island. He has been with Bartlett since 1998, moving up from a ground person to the local manager of Bartlett’s Osterville office.
“I have personally witnessed David establish himself over the years as an integral teammate for our operations,” says Jim Ingram, president and COO of Bartlett. “As an ISA-certified arborist, he was a key leader in expanding our business in Orleans and on Martha’s Vineyard. His ability to execute A-Team jobs was evident when helping to create award-winning flower show displays spotlighting the history, culture, concerns and management of important tree and shrub species in New England.”
Gary Nedorostek has been promoted to division manager of North New England, which includes Hooksett and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; Mount Desert Island and Portland, Maine; and Manchester and White River Junction, Vermont. Nedorosteck joined Bartlett in 2001 with the acquisition of his business in Connecticut.
“We acquired Gary’s business because Gary’s talents as a manager were highlighted by his ability to take care of our people and clients,” Ingram says. “Gary has been integral in coaching our new Arborist Representatives through the company by serving as an instructor in new arborist representative training.”
Jack Ingram has been promoted to division manager in Central New England, an area that includes offices in Waltham, Ashland, Auburn, Hanover, Beverly Farms and Billerica, Massachusetts. Ingram joined the company in 2010 as a field arborist and plant health care specialist.
“What separates Jack from others is his work ethic, his persistence, his organization, and his enjoyment of being involved in the local community,” says Greg Carbone, vice president of Bartlett’s commercial accounts.
Rob Allen has been named the division manager for Bartlett’s operations in Virginia and Tennessee. Allen joined the company in 2001 as a climber. He became assistant division manager in 2013.
“Rob has become one of our strongest leaders – always volunteering for special projects and coaching assignments,” Ingram says.
Davey Promotes McCormick to Regional Vice President
The Davey Tree Expert Company has promoted Jeff McCormick to regional vice president, northern operations, of the Davey Tree Surgery Company, a subsidiary of Davey Tree.
McCormick has over 28 years of experience with the company. He started with Davey in 1995 as a climber and was promoted to general foreman in 2003. In 2005, McCormick was promoted to supervisor and then account manager in 2007 for Oklahoma operations. He was promoted to operations manager at Davey’s Livermore corporate office in 2022.
He is a graduate of the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences as well as an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Utility Specialist and a Certified Treecare Safety Professional through the Tree Care Industry Association.
EMI Adds RC Mowers to Fleet
Environmental Management, Inc. (EMI) has begun deploying RC Mowers’ new line of autonomous mowing robots (AMRs).
“The future of mowing is here, and we’re proud to be one of the early adopters of the AMRs,” says Mark Wehinger, president of EMI. “This new technology is revolutionary as we look for solutions to offset the labor shortage. This allows us to scale our business with less labor, and it enables our high-value talent the opportunity to do more high-value work.”
Wehinger says his team is excited about the potential of the AMRs.
“The great thing about these mowers is that one operator can generate the same revenue as a crew of three,” says Michael Brandt, CEO of RC Mowers. “This not only reduces a landscaping company’s reliance on labor, it enhances their profitability in a safe and reliable manner.”
RC Mowers provides comprehensive training to their AMR customers to ensure the mowers are safely deployed. The robots are equipped with anti-collision, object detection and security systems and will only operate in autonomous mode when they are deployed inside an authorized mowing plan boundary.
Landscape Workshop Acquires Martin Landscape
Landscape Workshop has acquired Martin Landscape, based in Port Royal, South Carolina. This is Landscape Workshop’s first acquisition in South Carolina.
Founded in 2004, Martin Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, commercial landscape construction and commercial landscape enhancement work. Wade Martin, president of Martin Landscape, will remain on staff as general manager.
This acquisition allows Landscape Workshop to serve areas like Beaufort, Bluffton, Brays Island, Ladys Island, Palmetto Bluff, Port Royal, Spring Island, Richmond Hill, Savannah, and Pooler.
“With the acquisition of Martin Landscape, Inc., one of South Carolina’s most prominent landscape companies, we are now able to offer our services to an even wider range of clients in the Southeastern United States,” says J.T. Price, CEO of Landscape Workshop. “I grew up in South Carolina and am proud to bring LW to my home state.
Ewing Opens Third Location in Illinois
Ewing opened its third branch location in Illinois in Mokena. This store will serve customers in the suburbs south and southwest of Chicago — including Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort and Joliet.
Ewing Mokena is well-stocked with quality irrigation, drainage, lighting, outdoor living, artificial turf, agronomics and sports fields products. The branch will also stock some hardscape materials.
“Our new location in Mokena positions Ewing to better serve the Chicagoland area by building on the great service provided by our branches in Elgin and West Chicago,” says Sean Wimble, Ewing Central Territory president. “Ewing has served the green industry for more than 100 years, and we are committed to being the supplier and partner our customers can lean on for at least 100 more.”
Bruce Wilson & Company Rebrands; Wilson Joins Rainbow Companies Board of Director
Bruce Wilson & Company rebranded as WILSON360. This strategic move includes a refreshed visual identity, an updated website, and integrated services platform.
“Continuous improvement powers our way forward,” says Robert Clinkenbeard, CEO of the firm. “Over the past few years, we’ve been quietly working towards new ways of delivering value. We emerged with a reinvigorated platform and suite of prime solutions that positions WILSON360 and WILSON360+ multimedia as a modern symbol of our commitment to innovation and excellence, both now and into the future.”
Founder Bruce Wilson remains with WILSON360 as Chairman and member of the executive leadership team.
Wilson has also recently been appointed to Rainbow Companies’ board of directors. Rainbow Companies is a multi-faceted company dedicated to transforming the way ecosystems are maintained.
“The opportunity to network with scientists in all aspects of research and ecology, at a time when our industry is seeking new responses to environmental problems, is a chance to innovate and lead on the issues,” Wilson says. “I’m honored to serve on Rainbow’s board and am looking forward to learning more about breakthroughs that are changing plant and tree health care for landscape contractors.”
