Ruppert Landscape employees were honored recently as the company presented its annual awards during a virtual ceremony. The program, which was presented to over 500 employees on March 31, featured 2021 highlights from company leadership and recognition of employees celebrating significant years of service.
“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,” said company president, Phil Key. “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.”
Clyde Vadner Merit Award
This award recognizes the individual who has contributed continuous, consistent, long-term hard work, dedication and job skill that has helped to shape the company. This award is named in memory of Clyde Vadner, who early on in the company’s history played an integral role in developing the training program which has helped develop the many leaders who make up the organization today. This year’s recipient is Ethan Brown, branch manager in the Alexandria, Virginia landscape management branch, who has been with Ruppert for over six years.
“Ethan’s financial track record—exceeding one million dollars in enhancement sales multiple times as an area manager and helping his team reach record-breaking profit as a branch manager—has been exceptional and worthy of this honor in itself,” said Fred Key, region vice president in the company’s landscape management division. “But these accomplishments are not the story, they only represent the result. What Ethan is most proud of and what enables him to be so successful is the hard work and support of the team that he has built.”
Pictured left to right: Cole Stoy, Associate Branch Manager, Alexandria Landscape Management Branch; Ethan Brown, Branch Manager, Alexandria Landscape Management Branch; Tom Barry, President, Landscape Management Division.
Achievement Award
This award recognizes the employee who has made a significant contribution in 2021 through outstanding job execution and high-quality results. This year’s recipient is Marvin Clermont, assistant branch manager in the Tennessee landscape construction branch, who has been with Ruppert for over six years.
“Throughout his career at Ruppert, Marvin has consistently proven himself to be a solutions-oriented person; he’s able to focus on the task at hand and cut through the noise to understand what’s really important,” said Bob Jones, president of the landscape construction division. “Last year, he uprooted his family and moved to Nashville to oversee operations in our Tennessee satellite construction branch, leading the team to a profitable first year while building long-term relationships with many new customers. I credit Marvin with a very smooth transition and rapidly establishing our brand in a new market, where we hope to build a permanent presence in the near future.”
Pictured left to right: Bob Jones, President, Landscape Construction Division; Mia Clermont (Marvin’s wife); Marvin Clermont, Assistant Branch Manager, Tennessee Landscape Construction Branch; Marie Clermont (Marvin’s mother); Patrick Luzier, Region Vice President, Landscape Construction Division
Distinction Award
This award is presented in appreciation for exemplary dedication and devotion to the principles and ideals of our company. This year, the Distinction Award was presented to Bill Law, facility manager in the corporate office, who has been with Ruppert for over four years.
“Bill is a shining example of the Ruppert values and is always looking out for his team members,” said Greg Franklin, vice president of fleet, facilities, and safety. “This became more than evident last fall on the day of the unfortunate gas leak explosion on our corporate campus. Bill immediately recognized the gas leak that morning, called the authorities and cleared the building, but was trapped inside when the building exploded. Bill was rescued and has had multiple surgeries to repair his severely injured leg. He is now walking and plans to return to the office very soon. His quick actions that morning saved countless lives, and his mental toughness and internal strength have proven limitless.”
Pictured left to right: Greg Franklin, Vice President of Fleet, Facilities, and Safety; Bill Law, Facility Manager
Branch Impact Awards
These awards are given to the employee whose outstanding dedication and contributions have made a positive impact on their individual branch. This year, there were 28 recipients:
- Amanda Blough, business developer, received the honor for the Fredericksburg, VA landscape management branch.
- Steven Burchett, estimator, received the honor for the Maryland landscape construction branch.
- Ray Capella, enhancement manager, received the honor for the Camp Hill, PA landscape management branch.
- John Cericole, shop manager, received the honor for the Toughkenamon, PA landscape management branch.
- Zachary Chromiak, enhancement manager, received the honor for the Lilburn, GA landscape management branch.
- Raquel Del Cid, assistant production manager, received the honor for the Virginia landscape construction branch.
- Dan Flake, operations manager, received the honor for the North Carolina landscape construction branch.
- Josh Guarisco, project manager, received the honor for the Texas landscape construction branch.
- Timothy Haines, enhancement manager, received the honor for the Frederick, MD landscape management branch.
- Gregory Hardy, area manager, received the honor for the Alexandria, VA landscape management branch.
- Ricardo Hernández, area manager, received the honor for the Laytonsville, MD landscape management branch.
- Robert High, business developer, received the honor for the Raleigh, NC landscape management branch.
- Jillian Holthausen, branch administrator, received the honor for the Richmond (South), VA landscape management branch.
- Emilio Medina Almanza, field manager, received the honor for the King of Prussia, PA landscape management branch.
- Oscar Miranda, area manager, received the honor for the Dulles, VA landscape management branch.
- Michael Moody, associate branch manager, received the honor for the Washington, D.C. landscape management branch.
- Ubaldo Perez, field manager, received the honor for the Delmarva, DE landscape management branch.
- Brian Petruska, area manager, received the honor for the Gainesville, VA landscape management branch.
- Larry Rhodes III, enhancement manager, received the honor for the White Marsh, MD landscape management branch.
- Joshua Richardson, designer, received the honor for the Durham, NC landscape management branch.
- Charles Robinson, shop manager, received the honor for the Charlotte, NC landscape management branch.
- Will Saxby, estimator, received the honor for the Georgia landscape construction branch.
- Tim Schofield, division project manager, received the honor for the corporate branch.
- John Smith, area manager, received the honor for the Baltimore, MD landscape management branch.
- Meghan Specksgoor, area manager, received the honor for the Richmond (North), VA landscape management branch.
- David Weston, area manager, received the honor for the Richmond (East), VA landscape management branch.
- Kenneth White, field manager, received the honor for the Mableton, GA landscape management branch.
- Larry Windsor, area manager, received the honor for the Forestville, MD landscape management branch.
Ruppert Landscape, a family and employee-owned business, has been an industry-leading provider of commercial landscape construction and management services for nearly 50 years. Headquartered in Laytonsville, Maryland, the company employs over 1900 people and serves customers from 30 branches in eight primary markets: Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Houston. The company has a long-standing tradition of growing its team and giving back to the community. Learn more at www.ruppertlandscape.com.