Read more about these NALP members and partners in the news.
Mariani Premier Group Acquires Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes
Mariani Premier Group has acquired its 16th company as part of its national expansion strategy. Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes has been serving residential and commercial clients throughout Colorado.
Bobby Head and Jason Ulberg started the company in 2000. The company has three locations in the Vail, Denver and Aspen areas. They provide landscape design, installation, maintenance services, water features and fencing.
“We are so pleased to join this family of incredible landscaping companies,” Head says. “The national support and tools provided by Mariani Premier Group will allow us to enhance client service capabilities and accelerate our growth. We’re looking forward to an even brighter future.”
Companies that join Mariani Premier Group continue to operate under the same brand with decision-making at the local level. The group provides national support and tools through a shared services platform.
Ruppert Landscape Promotes Several Employees
Ruppert Landscape has recently had four promotions with their leadership team.
Drew Dummann is now the region manager for the landscape management division for the three North Carolina branches. Ben Belcher has been promoted to branch manager of the Richmond South, Virginia landscape management branch.
Kyle Meissner has been named region manager for the company’s landscape management division for Forestville, Maryland and Washington, DC branches. Joe Kulesza has been promoted to the Forestville, Maryland, branch.
Dummann has been with the company for over 17 years, first working in the landscape construction division in Maryland and Virginia branches. He then became an enhancement manager in Frederick, Maryland before joining the Raleigh team as an area manager. He became branch manager in 2021.
“Drew has been instrumental in growing our presence in the Raleigh market these last few years, facilitating the Durham branch opening in 2020 and setting the stage for the Apex branch opening in early 2024,” says Sam Wells, regional vice president in Ruppert’s landscape management division. “We look forward to his continued leadership in the Carolina region as he steps into this well-deserved new role.”
Belcher joined Ruppert in 2017 as a field manager. He was promoted to area manager in 2019 and then associate branch manager in early 2023.
“Ben’s dedication, expertise, and strong leadership make him the ideal choice for the role of Branch Manager,” says Dave Sharry, region manager in the company’s landscape management division. “I have full confidence in Ben’s capabilities, and I am eager to work closely with him to ensure the continued success and advancement of our Richmond South team.”
Meissner started with Ruppert in 2013 as a crew member at the Laytonsville branch. He transferred to the DC branch in 2016, where he earned the Branch Impact Award. He continued to move up the career ladder and transferred to the Forestville, Maryland, branch in 2018 and was promoted to branch manager.
“In his tenure as branch manager, Kyle has consistently led the division in profitability and contract maintenance growth, and has successfully built and grown a strong team,” says Doug Halsey, regional vice president in the company’s landscape management division. “This has helped position us to open a new branch in Bowie, Maryland, in early 2024. Kyle will oversee this branch and will play a crucial role in the rollout and building of that team.”
Meanwhile, Kulesza worked at the company as an intern in 2012. He joined Ruppert as an area manager for the Forestville branch in 2021 after working for other local landscape companies. He was promoted to associate branch manager in early 2023.
“From the start, Joe showcased strong leadership traits and a deep knowledge of the industry, especially in enhancements and production,” Meissner says. “As associate branch manager, he quickly gained the respect of the team with his patient approach to training and teaching. I am confident that the Forestville branch will be in good hands under Joe’s leadership.”
Electric Sheep Acquires Two Landscaping Businesses
Electric Sheep has brought their total acquisitions to four in recent months, adding Westar Landscaping and Caliscapes to their operations.
The company is creating the first large-scale outdoor maintenance company powered by artificial intelligence and robotics. Electric Sheep is acquiring traditional outdoor service providers and implementing AI software and robots into their operations.
“With both Westar and Caliscapes based in California, we are building out our footprint to bring electrification to landscaping for regions that are demanding it,” says Jarrett Herold, COO and co-founder of Electric Sheep. “We will also be focusing on implementing robotics for tasks like fire abatement, which is becoming a more urgent issue for counties in California.”
Electric Sheep has grown revenues eight times since implementing this model and has a growing pipeline of interested businesses that can enable the company to grow 10 times in 2024.
“Electric Sheep is at a critical point in its growth; acquiring Westar and Caliscapes builds on our successful business model of injecting advanced AI and robotics into traditional landscaping companies and significantly increasing their value,” says Nag Murty, CEO and co-founder of Electric Sheep. “We’re bringing a new business model to an industry that is ripe for innovation; by acquiring these businesses first and incorporating this full data and AI deployment engine, we are creating a fully scalable and sustainable business that is really a first in the outdoor services market.”
LandCare Promotes Two Employees to Market Vice President
Tre Hiltzheimer and Jensen Bogan have been promoted to market vice presidents for LandCare. Hiltzheimer will oversee company operations in Georgia, while Bogan is responsible for central Texas.
Hiltzheimer joined LandCare in 2003 and took on the role of branch manager in 2011. He has been known for cultivating lasting partnerships that necessitated branch expansion and creating development opportunities for employees in his Atlanta branch.
Bogan started at the Austin branch in 2020 and was promoted to branch manager in 2021. She has managed to increase the branch portfolio 1.5 times in less than 12 months.
“Jensen has exemplified the drive and culture of a LandCare leader,” says Zachary Belcher, central division vice president. “Her commitment to fostering a strong team and focusing not only on the client and team relationships, but also on branch operations has prepared her to lead and grow the Austin and San Antonio teams.”
SavATree Completes Three New Mergers in North Carolina, Nebraska and Delaware
SavATree has merged with Arborscapes, Mr. Amoto Lawn & Tree Service, and Sussex Tree. These partnerships will bring SavATree into Nebraska and North Carolina for the first time, allowing them to serve 34 states.
Founded by Jason Tebben and Nathan Morrison, Arborscapes has two decades of experience enhancing outdoor living for residents of Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Amoto Lawn & Tree Service has been operating in Lincoln, Nebraska, for over three and half decades. Rob Boyd, Matt Boyd and Matt Miller have propelled the company to new heights.
Sussex Tree, with two locations in Bridgeville and Lewes, Delaware, and over 35 years of local expertise, is run by the father-son team of Jeffrey Meredith Sr. and Jeffrey Meredith Jr.
“Our vision at SavATree is to cultivate a national team where expertise, resources, and passion for the environment are shared and valued,” says Carmine Schiavone, CEO of SavATree. “Partnering with Arborscapes, Mr. Amoto, and Sussex Tree exemplifies the magic we create together – it’s an environment where companies thrive, cultures blend, and the future is greener.”
Ewing Opens 10th Location in North Texas
Ewing Outdoor Supply has added another location in Texas, with this newest location being in Justin, Texas. It is the company’s 10th in North Texas and 41st in the state.
This new location will serve customers in Justin, North Fort Worth, Keller, Northlake, Ponder, Krum, Denton, Argyle, Rhome, Decatur, Haslet, Bridgeport, Bowie and Wichita Falls, as well as other communities in the expanding Denton County, northern Tarrant County and Wise County markets.
“This new location positions Ewing to better serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area by building on the excellent service provided by our branches in Dallas, Duncanville, Fort Worth, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, North Richland Hills, Plano and Tyler,” says Larry Terrazas, Texas division vice president. “We’ve served green industry contractors for more than 100 years, and we’re proud that our customers consider Ewing their business partner rather than a supplier. They know they can lean on us for everything they need to get the job done.”
