The Commercial Landscaper Podcast

Frank Annino's career in the landscaping industry is a testament to his dedication and passion for the field. Growing up in the construction industry, Frank always knew that being in the field was where he wanted to be. He pursued a college degree in business management with an emphasis on organizational behavior, which laid the foundation for his professional journey. After college, Frank ran a landscape nursery in Thousand Oaks for three years, where he honed his leadership skills and gained invaluable knowledge in selling, managing P&L, and understanding plant materials, chemicals, and fertilizers.  In 1992, he joined Environmental Care, working in the field for the first two years to deeply understand the day-to-day operations of field workers. Over the years, he took on various leadership roles within the company, learning and managing different functions such as the shop, tree care, and irrigation. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to run a business for what became ValleyCrest Landscape in Ventura, California, where he successfully grew the business significantly and was promoted to Regional Manager. In his next career move, Frank helped ValleyCrest through its transition to BrightView, where his role expanded to managing a larger territory as Senior Vice President, covering the Inland Empire, all of Los Angeles, and the Pacific Northwest. In 2021, Frank joined Sperber Landscape Companies as President of the maintenance division, overseeing 16 subsidiary companies nationwide. In this role, Frank leads the strategy and execution of various departmental functions, including training, sales, and operations, with a focus on developing and expanding greenfield projects, irrigation, and tree care services. His favorite part of the job is teaching, training, and coaching. That moment when the lightbulb turns on in others is priceless.  Outside of work, Frank loves spending time with his wife Kim and their two children, Maey and Josie. The family enjoys traveling, attending concerts and music festivals, and as a true Southern California native, Frank is a die-hard Los Angeles sports fan.

Nina Mason is content director at 44Group, an events and media company that is primarily rooted in the horticulture sector. It is the creator of esteemed B2B magazines, starting with Pro Landscaper in the UK in 2011―a brand that has grown into a community of landscape contractors and designers and other industry professionals. Its dynamic approach, encompassing numerous channels, has been instrumental in connecting all parts of the landscaping industry across the country. Earlier this year, 44Group brought the brand across the pond with the launch of Pro Landscaper USA, a monthly magazine with the same ambition of creating a platform for all sectors of the industry as well as their trade associations to share ideas, insights and inspiration. It covers the latest news and innovations across the US, from interviews with the industry's key players, to residential and commercial projects showcasing the best of outdoor living, to the products that bring these schemes to life—all to inform, educate and inspire landscaping professionals across the West Coast and further afield. On December 9-10, it will also be hosting the first FutureScape USA in Los Angeles. The premier landscaping event has gone from strength to strength in the UK and is now bringing its exclusive format to California, offering an environment for networking, knowledge exchange, and exploring the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of landscaping.

Michael Tomaino is the Founder and "Head Gardener" of Landcrafters, a premier landscape design-build and maintenance firm based in Tampa Bay. Under his leadership, Landcrafters has grown into a $6M+ operation known for combining precision horticulture, design excellence, and disciplined business systems to serve some of Florida's most discerning residential and commercial clients. Drawing on nearly a decade in the landscape industry, Michael has built a culture that blends creative craftsmanship with data-driven execution. He's passionate about helping his team scale sustainably, through technology, accountability, and a deep focus on people. Michael frequently collaborates with Wilson360 and The Herring Group to refine Landcrafters' growth strategy and shares his lessons on leadership, profitability, and building "dream teams" in the green industry. Chad Diller is a 25+ year green industry veteran who served in various roles from operations to sales, and marketing. Currently, he's the CEO 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

Adam Linnemann is the founder and CEO of The Green Executive, a landscape industry peer group and consulting firm.  With over 31 years of landscape industry experience, Adam has grown his nationally recognized landscape company, Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, Inc. from the bottom up. Starting at the young age of just 14 years old, Adam has grown his lawn and landscape company from 1 to over 25 employees and is experienced in small landscape business acquisitions, strategic planning and marketing.  His strengths include goal setting and accountability, organization of financial data and unique add-on business ideas that help generate additional company revenue. Adam is a Certified Profit First Professional Coach and LMN Certified Consultant.  He is a retired Trailblazer with the National Association of Landscape Professionals and has sat on the Landscape Management Magazine Editorial Advisory Board.  He has been featured in several trade magazines including Landscape Management, Turf, Lawn & Landscape Magazine and Green Industry Pros. Adam is a two time President of the Columbia, IL Rotary Club and is a regular columnist for the Waterloo, IL Republic Times.  He is a retired Police Officer from the Valmeyer, IL Police Department and the Monroe County IL Sheriffs Office, at which he served his community for over 15 years.  He is a member of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Nursery & Landscape Association, Snow & Ice Management Association and participates in Project Evergreen and SnowCare for Troops. In his spare time, Adam enjoys vacationing in the Riviera Maya, Mexico with his wife, Sahra, and two boys, Nash and Wynn. He also enjoys going to St. Louis Cardinals games, riding ATV's, and is an avid cook using his Big Green Egg!

Cameron began his journey in California but quickly found his roots in Plano, Texas, where he grew up. His adventurous spirit led him to spend two transformative years living in Mexico, during which he became fluent in Spanish—a skill that has greatly enriched his professional and personal life. Returning stateside, Cameron discovered his passion for the landscaping industry, starting from the ground up on an erosion control crew. Driven by ambition and dedication, he steadily progressed from irrigation specialist to account manager, ultimately leading an entire irrigation department and then an entire company. The path has been both rewarding and humbling, filled with constant learning and growth. When Cameron isn't managing projects and driving business success, he enjoys spending quality time with his lovely wife and their two energetic children, who keep him happily busy at home.

Chris Rance is a proven revenue and growth leader with experience scaling field service companies, in both fast-paced and private equity-backed environments. He's led high-performing sales teams, built go-to-market strategies from the ground up, and loves performance-driven cultures that fuel consistent, sustainable growth. With a sharp focus on organic expansion and top-of-funnel development, he brings a hands-on, execution-first mindset to every challenge. Whether entering new markets or elevating service delivery, his track record shows a clear ability to turn vision into measurable results.

Jeffrey Johns is the CEO of Coastal Greenery, inc., a Commercial landscape maintenance company based in St. Simons Island, Georgia. where he is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organization. He established the company in 1994, driven by a passion for plants and horticulture. Over the years, Johns has transformed Coastal Greenery into a leading provider of landscape services for commercial and industrial clients across Southeast Georgia, North Florida and South Carolina. Under Johns' leadership Coastal Greenery has cultivated a family-like atmosphere, carefully selecting professionals who align with the company Mission, Vision and Core Values. This Culture has contributed to the company's success and recognition within the communities they serve. Johns' innovative mindset is evident in initiatives like the "100 Days of Victory," which reframes the challenging spring season as an opportunity for growth and excellence.

From the first five minutes you meet Justin, it becomes clear this isn't just a job to him. Never mind, he has all the accreditations and schooling, his passion for what he does is infectious. Justin's love for the landscape industry started at a young age. Since high school he has been active working in the industry. First with a classic lawn care turned landscape business in high school/college. Then after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Horticulture, he went to work for a well-established design build company on the westside of the Twin Cities.  In 2015 Justin started Mangold Horticulture to continue living out his passion by building and beautifying landscapes. Today, Mangold Horticulture is a garden centric full-service landscaping company work throughout the Twin Cities. They have grown to over 50 people and have won awards both locally and nationally. Mangold Horticulture is committed being a leader in the Twin Cities market and beyond for both the client and the team experience.

Chase Farris is the Founder and CEO of NexGen Landscaping, a culture-driven, full-service landscape company reshaping the commercial and HOA world. Starting from the roots of the industry. Chase is now leading a movement to push past industry barriers, blending tech, teamwork, and vision to redefine what landscaping can be. With a focus on people and progress, he and his team are building more than landscapes and maintaining more than properties. They're Elevating the Industry.

Ashly Paladino is the COO and Partner at Sun Valley Landscaping in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the past 14 years, she has helped lead the company from a $1M operation to nearly $10M in annual revenue. Today, Sun Valley employs 78 people, including 34 year-round team members. Ashly is passionate about building strong teams, growing leaders, and creating a company culture rooted in service, craftsmanship, and community. In addition to her role at Sun Valley, Ashly serves on the boards of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and The WorkLab, and has previously contributed to national initiatives as a member of several councils within the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Outside of work, Ashly enjoys live music, cooking, outdoor adventures, and watching her four kids compete in sports with her husband, Tony, by her side.

When Brian was preparing to head off to college, his dad asked him what he wanted to do with his life. Without hesitation, Brian said, "I want to play ball." His dad looked him straight in the eye and replied, "Son, you're not Mickey Mantle. What are you going to do with your life?" Brian's dad had started in the mailroom at IBM and worked his way up to installing SAP systems worldwide, often away from home. The moments Brian cherished most with him were simple-going to nurseries together, spreading mulch, and working in the yard. Those experiences inspired Brian to pursue landscape horticulture at NC State. On his very first day of class, a professor told students, "Starting salary: $17,500. If you're here for money, there's the door." Brian thought, that's $17,500 more than I have - let's go. The summer before graduation, Brian worked in Wilmington under a boss known for yelling and belittling his crew. Deflated, he returned to campus, questioning his future. A friend suggested, "Why don't you start your own business?" Brian remembered an RFP project in Professor Stu Warren's class, where he created a mock company—named Yardnique. It was the best grade Brian ever received in landscape horticulture, and Professor Warren's feedback was simple but powerful: "Great name." At 21, Brian turned that project into reality. With nothing more than a stack of flyers and a mission to treat others the way you want to be treated, he launched Yardnique, envisioning just five employees. As the company grew, Brian was honored in 2012 with the Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing Yardnique's early impact. Today, nearly 29 years later, Yardnique operates over 42 locations with 2,500 employees across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Brian's journey began with a question from his dad, and has become a lifelong mission of building teams, impacting lives, and leading with purpose.

Chuck Monico is the CEO at Ryan Lawn & Tree, where he helps associates and leaders discover and develop their full potential, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves while achieving personal and professional growth. Chuck has over 30 years of experience in leadership combined with community involvement and holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Chuck believes that his work positively impacts not only the lives of Ryan Lawn & Tree associates but also the customers and communities that RYAN serves.

Dan Grange is a fifteen-year veteran of the landscape industry, spending time in both residential and commercial companies. He was first exposed to landscaping working summers with two retired teachers on small projects. After high school, Dan studied landscape management at BYU. His most recent focus has been recruiting, training and retaining field workforce for a large commercial firm. In this capacity, Dan has coached recruiters in markets across the country on best practices for finding, interviewing and onboarding front-line employees. In addition to his hiring responsibilities, Dan spent time as a project manager, working on large commercial projects. His focus was keeping projects on schedule and under budget with an emphasis on field efficiency. With the ability to communicate in English and Spanish, he has expertise training employees from entry level to branch management.

With over two decades of expertise guiding business owners through wealth creation and multi-generational preservation, Nate brings an uncommon depth of knowledge to Dew Wealth Management. His distinctive background spanning law, public accounting, financial planning, and advanced trust implementation offers clients a comprehensive perspective that addresses all facets of sophisticated wealth management. Nate's approach combines technical mastery with practical wisdom, making complex strategies accessible to the entrepreneurs he serves. As a trusted advisor to leaders of 8-figure businesses and beyond, he specializes in investment management, directed trusts, asset protection, and succession planning that safeguards both business interests and family legacies. A graduate of Minnesota State University with a Bachelor's in Philosophy and holding a Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Nate applies analytical rigor and strategic thinking to every client relationship. Beyond his professional practice, Nate serves as an executive coach for nonprofit Christian ministries and works with a select youth soccer club. He and his wife Sara of 29+ years enjoy cabin getaways and whatever time we can find with our adult children, Salem and Foster. https://www.dewwealth.com/landscape

I am an Honors Graduate from UC Davis in Environmental Horticulture. Started my career on the end of a water hose in a retail nursery in 1968. After graduating I joined the UC Cooperative Extension Service as Farm Advisor for San Francisco and San Mateo Counties where I specialized in weed control in turf and landscapes and high use athletic turf. In 1980 I joined ChemLawn Corporation as Technical Services Manager for the western United States. We opened a number of branches over the next seven years growing revenues from just over one million dollars to twenty three million. Saw the real opportunity for growth in landscape maintenance services. Joined Industrial Landscape Services in 1986 as an Account Manager and led the enhancement team as well. On March first 1989 I joined Environmental Care in Calabasas as Technical Services Manager. In 1992 was promoted to Regional Manager for NorCal and SVP in 1997 taking over the western US maintenance operations. Grew from 24 branches to 55 over the next 17 years until the merger with The Brickman Group in 2014. Held various SVP roles with BrightView managing maintenance operations until 2021 when I joined Sperber Landscape Companies. Just completed  two and a half year assignment managing maintenance operations on the Hawaiian Islands. Now working on special projects for the Sperber organization.

Chris Lee brings over 27 years of green industry experience to his role as President and CEO of Earthworks, where he leads with hands-on know-how and a clear vision for quality, safety, and service. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in Texas and Colorado, Chris's journey in landscape began humbly—pushing a mower on his very first job. He saw early on that the green industry held unlimited potential, and he's been building on that vision ever since. Today, he leads one of the region's most trusted commercial landscape teams. Chris holds TDA Chemical Applicator and TCEQ Irrigator licenses and has earned credentials from the TCC School of Horticulture and Florida State University's Financial Planning program. His leadership approach is also shaped by his experience as a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Chris currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and is a frequent contributor to leading industry publications. Whether he's walking a job site or speaking at a conference, Chris is known for elevating standards, mentoring others, and finding smart ways to help people—and landscapes—thrive. His approach blends practical experience with forward-thinking leadership, always focused on doing what's right for clients, communities, and the teams who keep it all growing.

Warren S. Gorowitz, a highly regarded leader in the landscape and irrigation industry for over 30 years, currently serves as Director of Sustainability and Social Impact. With expertise in water efficiency and sustainability, Warren holds positions on several industry association boards and is a sought-after speaker and authority on matters related to water and sustainability. At Hunter Industries, Warren is responsible for providing global leadership and strategic guidance for the organization's sustainability initiatives. He oversees the company's Climate Action Plan, the annual impact report, and the employee volunteer and giving programs including Hunter's Community Impact Grants committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California and received an Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He is a past instructor in the UCLA Extension Sustainability Certificate Program, a Global Futures Scholar at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and previously a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University in the School of Sustainability. His career at Ewing Outdoor Supply spanned 25 years where he held positions such as Vice President of Sustainability. Professional Association Involvement National Association of Landscape Board Member | Past Commercial Board Member Sports Field Management Association | Past Professional Grounds Management Society Board Member | Irrigation Association Past President | Past Green Building Initiative Board Member | Past U.S. Green Building Council Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group Vice Chair | Past Founding Board Member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency | Past American Society of Irrigation Consultants National Board Member Community Involvement Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos Board of Director |Cal State San Marcos University Council Member | San Diego North Economic Development Council Board of Director

Lukas is a 33-year-old entrepreneur based in Washington, DC, where he leads a real estate team generating $75 million in sales annually. In addition to his real estate ventures, he is partnered with a development team working on $15 million in new construction projects set to hit the market in 2025. Lukas also owns a landscaping company which he has successfully scaled since acquiring it in 2023, quadrupling the size of the business $500,000 in revenue to $2 million in revenue. Passionate about supporting his team, Lukas developed a program within his landscaping company to educate employees on the benefits of homeownership. To further assist them in achieving this goal, he offers a grant of up to $7,500 to help with down payments on their homes. His mission is to empower his employees with the knowledge and resources needed to build wealth and attain financial independence.

Jon Gohl, Director of Customer Experience at Aspire Software  joined the company in its infancy 10 years ago and has helped hundreds of clients adopt new software, embrace change, and leverage defined processes and procedures to maximize the efficiency of their united output. In his current role, Jon leads Aspire's strategic advocacy efforts, including Aspire in Universities, providing software to complement industry-specific degree programs, and Aspire Ambassadors, engaging with and leveraging relationships with our customer champions. Jon is a member of NALP's Foundation Board and serves on the NALP Government Affairs Committee to protect and secure the Green Industry's best interests. He is also proud to be a board member of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, working at the intersection of social, environmental, and climate justice to deliver education, green infrastructure, and climate safe neighborhoods. Outside of his professional life, Jon is an air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast who enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife.

Sabrina and Ryan met in 2010 while they were students in college at Wright State University. In 2015 they were married and a year later Dunham's Lawn Care was born. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Business from WSU and again in 2018 with a Master's degree in Health Education from The University of Cincinnati. Sabrina has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and today she shares that same passion with Ryan. Sabrina and Ryan work together to oversee the general operations of Dunham's Lawn Care.