puredeadbrilliant

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!

As the company’s founder, Allen has been instrumental in developing and incorporating the mission, vision, and values of APHIX. Today Allen focuses his time and energy on the development of the team, strategic planning, and acquisition growth to ensure that all are aligned with APHIX mission. Allen is passionate about building a brand that makes a difference in the lives of the employees, clients, and community.

Chris Stone is Founder and MD of Bushy Business Ltd, a UK-based company offering design, hard and soft landscaping, and horticultural services to the domestic market, since 1996. He runs the company with his wife Jo and his brother David, both have shared the many ups and downs of building the business.

Now in its 28th year and built on a strong positive culture of always doing the right thing and looking after its people, the company and its 30-plus staff look forward to continuing growth. With plans to move into irrigation services and to understand more about the possibilities of the autonomous mowing market the business is keen to look abroad to see what different parts of the world can teach us.

Jarrett Herold is co-founder and COO of VC-backed startup Electric Sheep, the first large-scale outdoor maintenance company powered by artificial intelligence and robotics.

Jarrett’s career began in the landscaping industry, working in the Brickman world until heading to the Bay Area where he started his entrepreneurial journey into the tech industry. Prior to that, Jarrett was at KKR consolidated Brightview, within their Operations Excellence team (OpX) where he recognized the unique opportunity available to combine these two worlds.

https://sheeprobotics.ai/

If there’s one thing that sets Chris apart from the crowd, it’s the way that he makes it clear that he’s rooting for you.

For the TRT team, that means giving everyone access to training, opportunities to learn and grow, and coaching.

For our clients, it means getting the IT, cybersecurity, and compliance tools in place to scale up, answering tickets speedily, being available to consult on IT strategy, and making sure to support clients through tough times. Whatever it is that you are trying to do, Chris will do whatever he can to help make it happen.

He enjoys helping clients understand how to fill the gaps in their technology stack and the most efficient way to use IT, compliance, and cybersecurity to protect businesses and help teams meet their goals. He particularly enjoys working with small IT teams who need project assistance or a backup team.

He’s been featured in MSP Success magazine and X4 Tech Talks podcast.

Chris lives in Colorado and enjoys boating, surfing, lounging lakeside, and scuba diving with his wife and daughters.

Mike Mason, CEO and chairman of TELSCO Industries, dba Weathermatic, and its subsidiaries, led Weathermatic to become the world leader in water conservation technology and labor automation.  Telsco Industries’ portfolio of companies includes Weathermatic, Unlimited Labor Solutions, SmartLink, and Water Engineering Services. Twenty-nine years ago, Mason took over a beleaguered Weathermatic and grew it into the industry icon it is today, setting new industry standards and becoming the undisputed leader in innovation technology and automated labor processes. Mason’s background is replete in accomplishments in investment banking and high-stakes corporate turnarounds. His exceptionalism led him to work closely with The Hunt family of Dallas, TX, and the Cox and Rollins families of Atlanta, GA.  He is accredited with successful turnarounds, mergers, capital raises and acquisitions including Anchor Crane and Hoist, Blockbuster Video, Alert - alarm monitoring, Blockbuster Video, Hartland Cable Television, and the introduction of Cox Cable into the fiberoptics world via PSO Metrolink of Dallas and Oklahoma. Today, Weathermatic large network of professional landscape contractors, comprised of well over half the Top 150 contractors in the country, many of which have reported a doubling of their profits by focusing on irrigation repair revenue through Weathermatic SmartLink Network.

According to Malcolm Morris, former Chairman of Weathermatic “Weathermatic is poised to become one of the most valuable companies in the landscape industry in the next four years due to its innovative technology, rapid market growth, and state-of-the-art technology automating water management and labor for landscape contractors.” Most recently, Mason founded Unlimited Labor Solutions, a thriving immigration consulting company paving the way for legal immigration into the United States by converting H2B seasonal workers into permanent labor. Mason made it his mission, via Unlimited Labor, to utilize his extensive connections, resources, and business acumen to take the lead in addressing the labor crisis through coupling proven SmartLink automation with Unlimited Labor’s immigration resources. Mason is currently the Chairman of  Save Water Give Life Foundation and on the Board of Directors of Living Water International and served over two decades on the Board of Directors of Freedom Alliance. As an inspirational speaker, he frequently promotes servant leadership, conservative values, mentorship, and entrepreneurialism.

After graduating from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Mike began his career in the design/build division of Davis Landscape Contractors. He moved to The Brickman Group a short time later, where he helped pioneer their branch model. During his 23 years with Brickman, he saw annual revenue increase from $40 million to $850 million, creating a network of branches across the United States. He was active in developing new markets, engaged in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, led corporate functions for marketing and employee development, and served Brickman as their Executive Vice President during his last seven years.

Today he is the CEO of LandCare, one of the industry’s largest national landscape maintenance companies. At the helm of LandCare, Mike sets the tone for growing the next generation of leaders who will innovate the future of the landscape industry. He believes a strong culture based on core values is integral to building strong successful teams. Mike’s leadership style focuses on people. “People who believe deeply that they are part of a great team and engaged in a meaningful mission will commit courageously to the business’ success.”

Tim Spihlman brings 20+ years of senior leadership experience across a variety of industries.  Starting his career in accounting and finance in St. Louis, Tim has worked for companies in the service, technology, manufacturing and chemical sectors ranging from startup mode to a global business with over $6B in revenue.  After many years as an operator of businesses, he recently switched career paths to be an investor in businesses, focusing on working with founders and leaders of businesses under $100 million in revenue.  He is currently the Managing Director of Lewis and Clark Capital and Lewis and Clark Ventures, managing over $300 million in investments across over twenty companies.  Tim serves on nine different boards, including a family owned business in the green industry. He is also on the Board of a not for profit organization improving the lives of children in Haiti and on the Board of an alumni association at his alma mater, Bradley University.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is a CPA.  He and his wife Jenny enjoy spending time with their four children and traveling.

Timothy Trimmer is the President of Professional Grounds, Inc., a prominent commercial landscape company located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside of the bustling Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a lifelong dedication to the field of landscaping and over two decades of experience, Timothy's journey from a humble crew member at the age of 16 to the helm of the company is a testament to his remarkable commitment and expertise.
Having assumed the role of President in 2017, Timothy Trimmer has steered Professional Grounds, Inc. towards unparalleled growth. Under his leadership, the company has nearly tripled in size within a short span, a testament to his strategic acumen and dedication to excellence.
Timothy is an alumnus of Elon University, where he graduated in 2003. His education laid the foundation for a career characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and growth.
Beyond his impressive professional journey, Timothy Trimmer is known for his unwavering passion for the well-being and development of his employees. He places a premium on their career growth, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. This commitment extends to his relentless pursuit of creating efficient systems that empower his employees to work more effectively, ensuring that Professional Grounds, Inc. remains at the forefront of the competitive landscape industry.
Timothy's leadership at Professional Grounds, Inc. exemplifies a harmonious blend of business acumen, compassion for his team, and a dedication to creating a thriving and sustainable work environment. His journey from the ground up is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a genuine passion for his craft.

Chad Diller is a 25+ year green industry veteran who served in various roles from operations to sales, and marketing. Currently, he's the Vice President of Landscape Leadership, a marketing and sales agency that exclusively specializes in landscaping, lawn care, and tree service companies. Along with his team of green industry marketing specialists, they have partnered with dozens of the industry's most innovative and successful companies. Through website design, digital marketing, professional photography, and video production, they help green industry companies become true leaders in their market, both to prospective clients and team members. Learn more about their work at LandscapeLeadership.com

Thomas L. Oyler, founder and senior partner of Oyler Consulting Services, LLC, is a successful entrepreneur, real estate developer, franchise executive, business development specialist, and service contractor. These credentials are among the many qualifying him as a business innovator and thinker.

Today, Mr. Oyler is actively involved in a number of highly successful organizations he either founded or co-founded.

Present business involvements:

• Oyler Consulting Services specializes in business assessment strategies and solutions for sustained growth and profitability.
• Energy One America, a South Carolina-based spray foam insulation, mold prevention, cool roof systems, and crawl space system installer that ranks as the largest privately owned and operated in the South East/ Mid West United States, America
• Protective Coating Group, advanced coatings manufacturing company
• Treasure Coast Marina & The Old Fish House, a full-service old Florida marina, bar and restaurant on the east coast of Florida
• Oyler Development, develops retail, industrial, and flexible-use properties in Florida
• Treasure Coast Getaways, owns and operates unique vacation and long-term waterfront rental properties on Central Florida’s East Coast
• The Draft Academy ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE + REHABILITATION, specializing in enhancing the physical and mental performance of competitive, high-level athletes

Early in his career, Tom realized a passion for service industries and founded and presided over Oyler Bros. Company, a Florida-based service and specialty construction company providing landscape construction and maintenance, interior and exterior pest management, and recreational & sports facility construction & maintenance.

Past accomplishments:

• Founded Sunshine States Cypress, sold to St. Joe Company, Florida's largest specialty lumber manufacturer focusing on Cypress Lumber production.
• Founded and sold (Rentokil Corporation) – United Hospitality Group specializing in interior pest management to the hospitality trade.
• Founded and sold Oyler Bros. Company and two other organizations to Valley Crest Landscapes (Bright View), including the industry’s first landscape maintenance Franchise Company, U.S. Lawns.
• Three-time International Franchisee of the Year Award Nominee
• 1987 Business Excellence Award Winner – Orlando, Florida Chamber of Commerce

From the early days of founding Oyler Bros. Company, a recognized leader in the Southeast U.S. market, to the inception of first franchise maintenance company, which grew to encompass a franchise network reaching from coast-to-coast, and finally today as a respected business owner and mentor, Oyler’s blend of vision, entrepreneurial experience and ability to forecast and communicate market demand gives him a unique perspective to understand the issues facing today’s business owners and the challenges of operating and growing a successful business.  His passion for building value innovative companies created the exceptional framework of coherent principles and practical concepts that are the foundation of his blueprint for best business practices.

Tom’s journey is not just a testament to his business acumen but also reflects his deep commitment to community and philanthropy, symbolizing the synergy of success and benevolence.