The Commercial Landscaper Podcast

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.

Tim Ryan is the Executive Director of The Lighthouse Group, one of the principal lighting designers at the Lighthouse Design Studio, and the professional photographer capturing the beauty of the group's finished projects. With over 27 years of experience in the industry, Tim began his journey by integrating lighting into his landscape designs, eventually transitioning full-time into the outdoor lighting business after discovering the magic and transformative power of illuminated garden spaces. Since joining Lighthouse in 2015, he has been a passionate advocate for advancing the craft and is deeply committed to mentoring and educating the next generation of outdoor lighting designers. Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals- CLVLT #1724 International Landscape Lighting Institute - BOD member and Mentor Websites: The Lighthouse Group:  www.Lighthouse-Lights.com Lighthouse Design Studio:  www.Lights.Design LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ryan-793b6857/

As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company’s growth and strategy while maintaining their core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud. Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees. He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 70 landscape professionals. Over his 22 years in the industry, Paul has been a part of hiring hundreds of people from all backgrounds. He is passionate about giving opportunities to others and influencing them to do things “The Sun Valley Way”. Paul has been recognized as Midlands Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Sun Valley Landscaping has been recognized locally and nationally for their community outreach efforts by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Landscape Management, and Lawn and Landscape magazines, and most recently, the National Association of Landscape Professionals. From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.

Ryan Drake is the Vice President of J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc., a family-owned and operated full-service landscape company based in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 1989 by his parents, Joe and Natalie Drake, J.F.D. Landscapes has grown into a trusted name in the industry, combining expertise with a deep commitment to quality and community. Ryan's journey in the landscape industry began early, spending summers and winter breaks working for the family business from 2007 to 2014. After earning full-time industry experience, including a tenure with a large national landscape firm, he returned to J.F.D. Landscapes at the end of 2014, bringing fresh insights and a passion for the family legacy. Dedicated to advancing the industry, Ryan has served on the Ohio Landscape Association board since 2020 and currently holds the position of President-Elect. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the ongoing success of landscaping professionals across the region.

Prior to his acquisition of a Commercial Landscaping Company in 2022, Chris had a successful career in Finance, spending the past twelve years in consulting, mergers & acquisitions (buy and sell side transactions in the petrochemical space). He co-founded Salem Oak Vineyards in 2013, produced several award-winning wines, and helped grow the business to $750,000 in sales. He continues to serve as a strategic partner to the winery. Chris has also built a successful real estate portfolio over the past ten years transacting on $2.5 MM in single family real estate and raw land development. After overcoming initial challenges post-acquisition, Chris continues to focus on growth both organically and through bolt-on acquisitions in commercial landscaping and tree removal. When he’s not chasing deals, he’s spending quality time with his growing family.  

Rich is a transformative leader and pioneering environmentalist on a mission to Scale Conservation. Armed with a PhD in data science, Rich combines relentless commitment with visionary thinking to redefine our relationship with the natural world. He founded Oxygen Conservation in 2021 and has rapidly built it into one of the world’s most impactful natural capital portfolios, valued at £150 million and actively transforming almost 45,000 acres into thriving ecosystems for people and wildlife. Rich is determined to make natural capital as a mainstream asset class, with the ambitious target of managing over £1 billion in assets by 2030, reshaping how the world values nature and creating positive impact at an incredible scale.   Get in touch with Rich! https://www.linkedin.com/in/richstockdale/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxygen-conservation/ https://www.oxygenconservation.com/  

Darrell Turman is a leading outdoor cooking expert and consultant based in Colorado, specializing in the design and installation of custom outdoor kitchens. With decades of hands-on experience and a deep passion for fire and gas-based cooking, Darrell helps homeowners transform their backyards into high-performance culinary spaces. Whether it’s designing the perfect grill island, curating premium appliances, or managing full-scale outdoor kitchen builds, Darrell brings a rare blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and real-world experience to every project. His work seamlessly combines function, aesthetics, and a love for outdoor living—turning exterior spaces into true extensions of the home. Respected for his approachable style and deep industry knowledge, Darrell is a trusted resource for anyone serious about elevating their outdoor cooking setup. From built-in gas grills, pizza ovens, and smokers to pergolas, refrigeration, and custom cabinetry, he’s here to talk design, technique, and the appliances that make it all possible. Get ready to fire things up—because when Darrell’s involved, outdoor living meets serious flavor.

Andrew Martin, founder of Urban Landcare, has worked in the landscape industry for 25 years, including 20 years in San Diego. After obtaining degrees in Business and Horticulture, Andrew was recruited by the largest landscape maintenance company in the country, Valleycrest. His primary experience includes managing large-scale, high-demand landscapes, such as military bases and master-planned communities. His career has spanned landscape management for commercial and industrial properties, residential estates, HOAs, hotels, and apartment buildings. After gaining valuable experience in large-scale firms, Andrew followed his passion and pursued his entrepreneurial dream. In 2018, he launched Urban Landcare, a commercial landscape maintenance firm based in Encinitas, CA. The company strives to be the best commercial landscaper in San Diego County. Urban Landcare operates two key divisions: Enhancements/Irrigation and Maintenance. With a strong focus on water management, the company is at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges presented by California’s changing environment. In just six years, Urban Landcare has grown from a start-up to serving over 60 maintenance properties and employing 30 people. As Urban continues to grow organically, it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and fostering a culture of care for its clients and employees.

Jerry Schill founded Schill Grounds Management in 1993, and as CEO he sets the strategic vision for the company and makes executive and financial decisions that drive profitable growth and scale. Beginning in 2020, Jerry partnered with Argonne Capital to proactively drive consolidation in the highly fragmented commercial grounds management and snow and ice removal industry by acquiring independent privately held businesses that add contiguous geographic expansion for Schill. Jerry has three decades of leadership experience, and he believes in running the business with family values, integrity, respect and honesty. He also holds leadership positions with industry professional organizations including serving as an active member of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association’s Government Affairs Committee and the Ohio Landscape Association’s Snow and Ice Committee. Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Glenville State College. He is also the founder of Holiday Feast, an annual event that provides free meals for thousands of people in the Cleveland area. Jerry’s contributions to the industry were recognized when he was chosen for the National Leadership Award by SNOW Magazine and Lawn & Landscape Magazine.   Connect with Jerry! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-schill-2b010b1a/ https://www.schilllandscaping.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/schill-grounds-management/

Account Executive at TOP Green, a company revolutionizing the commercial landscaping industry. A veteran of the US Marine Corps, Sean brings that same discipline and strategic focus to the world of SaaS, empowering businesses to embrace cutting-edge technology and achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency. With a passion for driving impactful change, he's helping hardworking businesses across the country optimize their operations, reduce inefficiencies, and unlock their full potential.  Connect with Sean! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-eddy/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-turing-company/ https://theturingcompany.com/products/topgreen/landscaping/  

Evan Shufflebarger Evan is a native of Topeka, KS and a University of Kansas alumni with a diverse background in consulting, investing, and M&A. After starting his career in internal consulting at a Fortune 150 financial services firm, he transitioned to buyside credit investing, where he advanced from data analytics for structured products to managing private equity investments and commercial real estate lending. Evan's next role, his first in M&A, was with a large family-owned logistics company, focusing on acquisitions, joint ventures, and capital projects. Since joining HeartLand in 2020, he has led or supported over 20 acquisitions, driving sourcing, diligence, and integration while shaping the company’s Business Intelligence strategy. Evan is a former Kansas City 20 Under 30 honoree and ACG Corporate Development Professional to Watch. Tanner Spross Tanner started in the landscaping industry at a young age, growing up in his father’s business and working in the summers and weekends on installation crews. In 2012, the family business merged with Santa Rita Landscaping, and upon graduating from the University of Arizona, Tanner became the full time estimator for its Commercial and Public Works Division. Over time Tanner served as the companies Director of Sales and Operations, before ultimately becoming the President and CEO in 2018. In his time as the President and CEO of Santa Rita Landscaping, Tanner was able grow the business over 300%, greenfield operations into the Phoenix Market, lead M&A activity for the business, and lead the sale side of the business twice, most recently in 2023 when the business partnered with HeartLand. Since joining the HeartLand team, Tanner has since become Operating Partner for the Southwest Region, providing leadership for the HeartLand companies throughout the Southwest United States.

Colin grew up in southern England in the countryside spending most of his childhood on a farm with a love of wild flower meadows and nature. His passion led him to employment within conservation organisations but in the late 1990’s when his best friend lost his wife in tragic circumstances he switched jobs to help support him with his woodland consultancy business and out of the blue they landed a fascinating contract advising on and managing wildlife habitat restoration projects for a philanthropic family on a large country estate, many of these projects involved grassland areas which had lost their floral content. This serendipitous event was the start of his wild flower meadow journey. The owner of the estate gave him great support and freedom, allowing him to experiment with different methods for creating and restoring wild flower meadows on her land. At that time there was a lot of different advice being given from various organisations regarding how one should go about creating or restoring these special habitats. Colin trialled various methods, some did not work at all, he sowed the seeds but just grass came up and other methods produced a few wild flowers after a long period of time and others produced a profusion of weeds very quickly! He was convinced that there had to be better ways and quicker ways to create very floristic and diverse meadows. It took time and experimentation but eventually he was able to reliably create colourful and diverse native wild flower grasslands in most situations and had learnt how to deal with the weed issues that dogged some of the earlier attempts. Colin began creating wild flower areas for other people and set up the current ‘Wild Flower Lawns and Meadows’ website originally as a hobby, expanding it with blogs sharing experience and knowledge gained in the field (literally) and the interest it created not only within the UK but internationally took him by surprise and now it is a multi-faceted company selling unique wild flower products and involved with more native wild flower projects than he could ever have imagined when he started.

Rob Murray is the Co-founder and CEO of Intrigue Media, a digital marketing company that has been empowering and growing businesses in the home improvement space for the last 15 years. Intrigue has been on Canada's Growth 500 list for four years, is a Google Premier Partner and is Meta Certified. Rob directs the organizational vision, works with clients to grow their businesses, and ensures that Intrigue has the right people and the right tools to get results. He is the past President of the Entrepreneurs' Organization in Southwest Ontario and past digital marketing chair for his local hospital board.

Brad started his first landscape business at age 8 with his older brother. They started in residential landscape maintenance with a route of 10 homes. After 4 years of building the business, they landed their first commercial accounts maintaining 2 hospital campuses in Denver, CO. He ran his company for a total of 10 years and sold the company at the age of 18. To broaden his life experience and serve people in a foreign country, Brad took two years off from college and work to serve as a missionary for his church in Brazil. During this time, he learned Portuguese and developed his leadership skills overseeing 200 missionaries while managing the mission operations throughout the state of Sao Paulo. He returned to college to pursue a degree in Horticulture with a focus in irrigation and water management where he competed in and won numerous events at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.  Coming out of college, Brad had offers from most of the major landscape players in the country but was looking for a company where he could pursue his interest in smart irrigation and water management. Par 3, located in Las Vegas, was the perfect fit as they were the clear leader in a market that was conserving more water than any place in the country.  Par 3 was years ahead of the competition in water management, but Brad saw a need to develop and grow irrigation management alongside their water conservation programs. Brad convinced the owners that he could build a stand-alone irrigation division that would create uniformity and professionalism amongst the scattered group of irrigation techs that already worked for the company.  Brad's success in building a new division from the ground up as a recent college graduate put him on an accelerated career path and less than 3 years after joining Par 3 he became the Director of Operations where he oversees nearly 600 employees and over $50 million in annual revenue.