Ruppert Landscape employees were honored recently as the company presented its annual awards. The awards banquet was held at the Bethesda North Marriott in Rockville, Maryland and welcomed over 1,000 employees and their guests.
“This was our first in-person awards ceremony since before the pandemic—with the last two years’ events held virtually—and we were excited to be together again to recognize outstanding talent across the company,” said company president, Phil Key. “We are grateful to these employees for their many contributions and truly proud of their accomplishments.”
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 played an integral role early in the company’s history in developing the training program which has helped develop the many leaders who make up the organization today. This year’s recipient is Kyle Meissner, a 10-year employee who serves as branch manager in the Forestville, Maryland landscape management branch. He was previously awarded the Branch Impact Award for Forestville in 2016.
“Under Kyle’s leadership, the branch’s total revenue has more than doubled since 2019,” said Doug Halsey, region vice president in the company’s landscape management division. “His strengths are his sales skills and creating strong ties with his customers, but most importantly he has built a strong team. We’re excited to see what lies ahead for them!”
Pictured left to right: Doug Halsey, Region Vice President, Landscape Management Division; Kyle Meissner, Branch Manager, Forestville (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
Achievement Award
This award recognizes the employee who has made a significant contribution in 2022 through outstanding job execution and high-quality results. This year’s recipient is Dan Flake, a six-year employee who serves as operations manager in the North Carolina landscape construction branch. He was previously awarded the Branch Impact Award for the Virginia branch in 2019 and for North Carolina in 2021.
“Dan has played a huge role in the success of the North Carolina branch, and is known for his dedication, hard work, and setting a great example for his team,” said Bob Jones, president of the landscape construction division. “We’re all very proud and grateful for what he’s achieved and look forward to many great things from him in the future.”
Pictured left to right: Bob Jones, President, Landscape Construction Division; Dan Flake, Operations Manager, North Carolina Landscape Construction Branch.
Distinction Award
This award is presented in appreciation for exemplary dedication and devotion to the principles and ideals of our company. This year, this award was presented to a team who were instrumental in helping to review and evaluate strategic options about the direction of the company that ultimately led to the decision to partner with capital investment firm, Knox Lane. Due to the confidentiality that was necessary, that process was called ‘Project West.’
“The Project West team is unique and took us on a journey we’ve never been on before,” said Phil Key. “It’s through their hard work and incredible dedication that we were able to meet with potential investors and put our best foot forward. This team gave us the information that enabled us to choose the best partner and path that will carry Ruppert Landscape and its culture into the future.”
Back row, pictured left to right: Jon von Staden, Director of Finance and Administration, Landscape Construction Division; Lisa Horton, Community Engagement Leader, Ruppert Grows; Jen Saah, VP of Accounting and Financial Risk Management; Grant McCarthy, Director of Tax and Compliance, Ruppert Grows; Greg Franklin, VP of Fleet, Facilities and Safety; Paul Pestun, Director of Business Development, Landscape Construction Division. Front row, pictured left to right: Mike Felts, Regional VP, Landscape Construction Division; Jason Dixon, Director of Business Development, Landscape Management Division; Tim Schofield, Landscape Management Division Project Manager. Not pictured: Donna Nichols, VP of Finance (retired); Lee Clarke, Landscape Construction Division Administrator (retired).
Branch Impact Awards
Back row, pictured left to right: Chuck Powell, Juan Saldana Guiza, Brad Carper, Ethan Russell, Sousan Hakimi, Stannis Collins, Kurt Myers, William Sanchez. Middle row L to R: Cale Bowers, Joe Gonzales, Josh Guyton, Tyler Patsch, Stephanie Roberts, Chris White, Cynthia Corrales, Jesse Lepinsky, Matt Zuccari, Ever Leiva. Front row, pictured left to right: Lexie Bittner, Erin Mallery, Jose Argueta, Dan Derrow, Joseph Mangano, Alejandro Salazar, Josh Strohm, Walter Castellanos, Jordan Elliott. Not pictured: Dexter Pratt, Jamie Thomas, Dave Wakeling.
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 30 recipients:
- José Argueta, field manager, received the honor for the Forestville, MD landscape management branch.
- Lexie Bittner, landscape management division administrator, received the honor for the corporate office.
- Cale Bowers, senior field manager, received the honor for the Virginia landscape construction branch.
- Brad Carper, project manager, received the honor for the North Carolina landscape construction branch.
- Walter Castellanos, shop manager, received the honor for the Camp Hill, PA landscape management branch.
- Stannis Collins, area manager, received the honor for the Mableton, GA landscape management branch.
- Cynthia Corrales, area manager, received the honor for the Gainesville, VA landscape management branch.
- Daniel Derrow, area manager, received the honor for the Washington, DC landscape management branch.
- Jordan Elliott, branch administrator, received the honor for the Baltimore, MD landscape management branch.
- Joseph Gonzales, area manager, received the honor for the Raleigh, NC landscape management branch.
- Joshua Guyton, business developer, received the honor for the Durham, NC landscape management branch.
- Sousan Hakimi, project manager, received the honor for the Georgia landscape construction branch.
- Ever Leiva, field manager, received the honor for the Laytonsville, MD landscape management branch.
- Jesse Lepinsky, shop manager, received the honor for the Dulles, VA landscape management branch.
- Erin Mallery, area manager, received the honor for the Frederick, MD landscape management branch.
- Joe Mangano, field manager, received the honor for the White Marsh, MD landscape management branch.
- Kurt Myers, enhancement manager, received the honor for the Lilburn, GA landscape management branch.
- Tyler Patsch, shop manager, received the honor for the Richmond South, VA landscape management branch.
- Chuck Powell, production manager, received the honor for the Tennessee landscape construction branch.
- Dexter Pratt, field manager, received the honor for the Charlotte, NC landscape management branch.
- Stephanie Roberts, branch administrator, received the honor for the Richmond North, VA landscape management branch.
- Ethan Russell, assistant project manager, received the honor for the Maryland landscape construction branch.
- Alejandro Salazar, enhancement manager, received the honor for the Toughkenamon, PA landscape management branch.
- Juan Saldana Guiza, field manager, received the honor for the Texas landscape construction branch.
- William Sánchez, field manager, received the honor for the Alpharetta, GA landscape management branch.
- Joshua Strohm, area manager, received the honor for the King of Prussia, PA landscape management branch.
- Jamie Thomas, branch administrator, received the honor for the Fredericksburg, VA landscape management branch.
- David Wakeling, area manager, received the honor for the Delmarva, DE landscape management branch.
- Christopher White, area manager, received the honor for the Richmond East, VA landscape management branch.
- Matthew Zuccari, business developer, received the honor for the Alexandria, VA landscape management branch.
Ruppert Landscape has been an industry-leading provider of commercial landscaping services for nearly 50 years. Headquartered in Laytonsville, Maryland, the company employs nearly 2000 people and serves customers from 31 branches in nine primary markets: Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, 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.