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 marks our 21st annual awards ceremony, and we take great pleasure in acknowledging the exceptional talent within our organization,” expressed Phil Key, CEO of the company. “I am honored to be a part of such a dynamic team that continues to raise the bar on innovation and excellence.”
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 Sean Davitt, a 13-year employee who serves as branch manager in the Maryland landscape construction branch.
“Sean is a shining example of the qualities we like to see in our team—strength, tenacity, and leadership,” said Mike Felts, Region Vice President in the company’s Landscape Construction Division. “He does not have an ounce of quit in him and his determination has helped him guide his team to new heights.”
Pictured left to right: Mike Felts, Region Vice President, Landscape Construction Division; Sean Davitt, Branch Manager, Maryland Landscape Construction Branch; Nina Davitt, Sean’s wife; Bob Jones, President, Landscape Construction Division.
Achievement Award
This award recognizes the employee who has made a significant contribution in 2023 through outstanding job execution and high-quality results. This year’s recipient is Collin Fadrowski, a nine-year employee who serves as branch manager in the Camp Hill, Pennsylvania landscape management branch.
“Collin earned this award for his dedication to his people, his passion for his craft, his love for his customers, his never-give-up mentality, and his desire to win,” said John Harich, Region Manager in the company’s landscape management division.
Pictured left to right: John Harich, Region Manager, Landscape Management Division; Collin Fadrowski, Branch Manager, Camp Hill (PA) Landscape Management Branch; Heather Fadrowski, Collin’s wife; Tom Barry, President, Landscape Management Division.
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 our new State College, Pennsylvania team—formerly Scotts Landscaping, Inc.
“An important piece of our new strategy is growing through acquisitions to supplement our track record of organic growth, and Scott Burk and his team were the first outside partners to join us,” said Phil Key, CEO. “That partnership—and the changes that come with integration—could have taken many directions. The Scotts team has been supportive, embraced the process, and has added tremendous value. Scott’s Landscaping—which is now our new State College landscape management branch and Pennsylvania landscape construction branch—have been great partners and we’ve learned from each other along the way, which makes us a stronger company as a whole.”
Pictured left to right: Phil Key, CEO; Fred Smithmyer, Branch Manager, State College Landscape Management Branch; Scott Burk, Region Manager, Landscape Management Division; Ken Steich, Branch Manager, Pennsylvania Landscape Construction Branch.
Branch Impact Awards
These awards are given to the employee whose outstanding dedication and contributions have made a positive impact on their branch. This year, there were 33 recipients who were honored:
- Liz Arellano, Branch Administrator, (North Carolina Landscape Construction Branch.
- Matthew Benjamin, Mechanic, Laytonsville (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
- Mike Burns, Business Developer, Dulles (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Glenn Butler, Project Manager, Georgia Landscape Construction Branch.
- Millie Chevez, HR and Training Specialist, corporate office.
- Patty Christie, Branch Administrator, Charlotte (NC) Landscape Management Branch.
- Sophia Ciallella, Designer, Alexandria (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Brandon Collier, Field Manager, Lilburn (GA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Anthony DaSilva, Enhancement Manager, Alpharetta (GA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Hector Del-Cid, Area Manager, Gainesville (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Nik Dudukovich, Estimator, Pennsylvania Landscape Construction Branch.
- Tim Evans, Shop Manager, Baltimore (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
- Nathan Fadrowski, Area Manager, Forestville (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
- Connor Givens, Business Developer, Raleigh (NC) Landscape Management Branch.
- Paula Grady, Business Developer, Richmond East (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Ken Gray, Area Manager, King of Prussia (PA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Jason Groff, Business Developer, Toughkenamon (PA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Sidney Isaac, Field Manager, White Marsh (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
- Mike Lora, Business Developer, Camp Hill (PA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Collin Ludwig, Irrigation Tech, Delmarva (DE) Landscape Management Branch.
- Salvador Magana, Area Manager, Wilmington (DE) Landscape Management Branch.
- Edward Maloney, Field Manager, Texas Landscape Construction Branch.
- Trevor Mann, Project Manager, Maryland Landscape Construction Branch.
- Jalyssa Martinez, Branch Administrator, Mableton (GA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Randall McCoy, Shop Manager, Fredericksburg (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Robbie Murphy, Estimator, Virginia Landscape Construction Branch.
- Ivan Nikolov, Shop Manager, Washington (DC) Landscape Management Branch.
- Kevin Rajk, Area Manager, Silver Spring (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
- Ryan Reese, Shop Manager, State College (PA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Laura Serpico, Project Manager, Tennessee Landscape Construction Branch.
- Jesus Torres, Shop Manager, Durham (NC) Landscape Management Branch.
- Chase Townshend, Area Manager, Richmond South (VA) Landscape Management Branch.
- Divan Van Eck, Enhancement Manager, Frederick (MD) Landscape Management Branch.
Back row, L to R: Anthony DaSilva, Liz Arellano, Laura Serpico, Salvador Magana, Sidney Isaac, Ryan Reese, Robbie Murphy, Tim Evans, Jason Groff, Nik Dudukovich, Ken Gray, Collin Ludwig, Nathan Fadrowski, Mike Lora
Middle row, L to R: Glenn Butler, Millie Chevez, Connor Givens, Jesus Torres, Chase Townshend, Hector Del Cid, Matthew Benjamin, Divan Van Eck, Kevin Rajk,
Front row, L to R: Jalyssa Martinez, Brandon Collier, Patty Christie, Paula Grady, Mike Burns, Sophia Ciallella, Trevor Mann
Not pictured: Ivan Nikolov, Ed Maloney, Randall McCoy
Ruppert Landscape, founded as a family and employee-owned business, is a leading provider of commercial landscaping services. Headquartered in Laytonsville, MD, Ruppert is proud of its 2,300 team members who serve customers from over 45 branches primarily throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern US. The company prides itself on its strong culture, commitment to its employees, unmatched attention to its customers, and giving back to the community. For more information, please visit www.ruppertlandscape.com.