Interview with Brett Lemcke, Vice President of RM Landscape

As Vice President of Sales and Marketing for RC Mowers, Tim Kubista specializes in revenue growth, acquisition, sales training and building dealer networks for the company. He has led three companies to inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list, including RC Mowers, and came to the company with vast knowledge of the commercial mowing and allied equipment industry. Tim is a former South Dakota Small Businessperson of the Year. For more information about RC Mowers, visit www.rcmowersusa.com.

Paul T. Imbarrato is the CEO and Founder of Let It Grow, Inc. and a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in the landscape construction industry, specializing in civil site and landscape construction.  Paul has built a reputation for driving innovation and excellence in every project he leads. His unique ability lies in building strong team leaders to plan, execute and deliver.

Outside of his professional commitments, Paul is a dedicated family man, cherishing the time he spends with his wife and three children. His weekends are often spent exploring the outdoors, where he enjoys skiing, golfing and pickleball, believing in the importance of balancing a demanding career with personal well-being and family time. Additionally, Paul is dedicated to exercise and keeping fit while eating sensibly. This blend of professional dedication, family commitment, and personal interests underscores Paul's holistic approach to life, making him a respected figure both in and out of the workplace.

Curtis Atkinson, Founder and CEO of Sunline Landscape, has more than 25 years of experience in the green industry. He founded Sunline Landscapes in 2002 with the vision to create luxury landscapes like no other.

Curtis found his passion for entrepreneurship and for the green industry while mowing lawns for the neighborhood at a young age. He realized quickly that he had a talent for creating designs for beautiful outdoor spaces. With a driven mindset and hard work, he has grown that talent into a thriving business that focuses on building relationships and caring for his clients and his team alike.

He is grateful and humble to have built lasting friendships with top home builders, designers, and clients, but most importantly with his team. His greatest job lies in providing and developing opportunities for his team and seeing them succeed.

Outside of Sunline, Curtis is all things family. He has been married to his wife Taria for coming on 18 years and spends his time mountain biking, skiing, boating and cheering his kids on from the sidelines at cheerleading and soccer competitions.

Willard is a distinguished AI expert and has held significant roles as an engagement strategist and product engineer at renowned organizations such as Netflix, HorizonPWR, and TruHearing. His expertise spans across gamification, development, and production on all major platforms, establishing him as a leader in the field. Willard believes that technology has evolved beyond being merely a crucial tool; it represents a mindset, a behavior, and, increasingly, a lifestyle that transcends generations. His insights into how AI can bridge the gap between business operations, people, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs) highlight his strategic approach to leveraging technology for competitive advantage.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Willard's upbringing in a U.S. Marine Corps family instilled in him a flexible understanding of home, enriched by diverse cultures and backgrounds experienced through living in various parts of the world. He currently calls Snowflake, Arizona, his home. Among his numerous accomplishments, Willard takes particular pride in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and his service in Paraguay as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His fluency in Spanish is a testament to his commitment to engaging with and understanding diverse communities.

With over a decade of military service followed by 16 years in Corporate America, I recently channeled my expertise into founding a Private Equity firm. This initiative leverages my rich experience in the healthcare industry, where I excelled in sales, business development, and strategic planning, particularly in areas like Cardiac Rhythm Management and Electrophysiology. My educational background, with a BS in Pre-Med/Social Science and an MBA, coupled with specialized training in venture capital and private equity from Columbia Business School, has been pivotal in shaping my approach to business leadership.

The firm, Syndicate Venture Group, founded two years ago, is committed not only to generating investor returns but also to a philanthropic mission focused on supporting veterans and underrepresented entrepreneurs through community mentorship and economic development. This venture embodies my dedication to integrity, excellence, and a passion for fostering inclusive growth in both the business and social sectors.

Born and raised on Maui, Kaimalu Stanich is a proud holder of a Masters in Landscape Architecture as well as a bachelors in Environmental Design. Kaimalu is a founding member and was president (2021) of the Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. With a passion for indigenous flora and sustainable practices, Kaimalu can be found experimenting with new landscaping techniques and cutting-edge organic solutions.

Raised in Honolulu, Christian is a graduate of Punahou School, the Richardson School of Law, and the Shidler College of Business where he graduated with a Juris Doctorate and a Masters in Business Administration. Christian has brought his knowledge of the electrical movement from his time working at Tesla Motors to help advance Lē’ahi Landscaping in the areas of automation and electrification. Christian is an avid waterman and can be found surfing poorly all around the island of Oahu.

Megan Wright, masLabor’s Senior Director of Industry Relations, ensures each client is comfortable and confident with the H-2 program prior to enrolling. She stays up on all of the regulatory and compliance requirements, which is an ever-moving target. While Megan focuses on the company’s business development, communications, and public affairs functions, she enjoys staying on the road educating folks on how the H-2 visa can save their businesses. She most recently served in a government consulting role for Booz Allen Hamilton at the U.S. Department of labor. She received her dual B.A. in International Politics and French from Virginia Tech and is both a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and a licensed Project Management Professional (PMP).

I'm Rob Peppin, immersed in the pool industry since my youth in Northern California. Introduced by my father, I've worked in various facets, eventually co-owning multiple pool-related companies and a few other startups. Now living in Charleston, South Carolina. Beyond pool construction, I've developed a passion for the business side. Now overseeing nearly a hundred employees, I dedicate my time to expanding our teams, integrating technology, and creating opportunities. Our companies have won business awards year over year in growth and customer satisfaction. Constant learning and growth drive me, and I enjoy sharing knowledge. I find solace in hiking, reaching both metaphorical and physical peaks. My motto: "There's always room for improvement, internally and externally, in everything you do.”

My name is Brian Peppin, and I am an entrepreneur. I co-own six corporations that are all based around swimming pools. I enjoy working on the expansion of these core businesses into new markets and developing new tools for our team members to be more efficient in their day-to-day work. We have been voted the best swimming pool company in multiple markets and one of the top 50 fastest-growing businesses in South Carolina for numerous years. I currently reside in Charleston, SC, and enjoy spending time with friends and family and traveling as much as possible.

Tom Heaviland is an accomplished professional in the landscape management industry, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bemidji State University. He is certified by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) as a Landscape Industry Certified Manager (LICM) and Technician (LICT), and has participated in the Trailblazer Program as a Green Industry Consultant.

He founded Heaviland Landscape Management in 1985, leading it as Owner and President until its acquisition by BrightView Landscapes in 2019. Under his leadership, the company reached $15 million in annual sales and earned recognition for ethics and industry excellence, including the BBB Torch Award and being named an NALP Landscape Industry Accredited Company.

Post-acquisition, Tom worked in Mergers & Acquisitions and New Market Development at BrightView Landscapes from 2021 to 2023. He currently serves as CEO of Verde Property Services, Inc.

Dedicated to community service, Tom is a current member of the Board of Directors for Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation and has held various leadership roles in industry-related associations, including the California Landscape Contractors Association San Diego Chapter and NALP.

TEAMWORK, EXCELLENCE & PURPOSE are a few of the key ingredients that has fueled the incredible growth at LOVING, according to founder and CEO, Mike Haynes. Mike’s simple and humble start as a middle schooler with a dream and a push-mower in the early 2000’s has led to what has become one of the fastest growing and largest landscaping and sod farming organizations in the US. Mike credits his gifted and hardworking TEAM and their extremely loyal CLIENTS as the two key groups of people that have enabled LOVING to achieve such rapid growth. Mike is a strong believer that anyone, can accomplish anything, with the right attitude and work ethic. In his free time Mike loves spending quality time with friends and family!