As a result of the company’s restructuring to shift from a service line-based division structure to a geographic division model, Ruppert Landscape promoted Fred Key and Jim Tuzzolino to division presidents in the company’s north and south divisions, respectively. In their new roles, Key and Tuzzolino will oversee all landscape maintenance and installation operations within their divisions, working closely with regional managers to influence operational decisions that better serve customers and team members.
Key brings more than 30 years of industry experience and has been a vital part of Ruppert for 22 years, serving in various capacities including crewman, area manager, landscape construction production manager, branch manager, region manager, region vice president and more. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer for the maintenance division.
In 2009, Fred was honored with the Clyde Vadner Merit Award, one of the company’s top accolades, recognizing his consistent hard work and dedication. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Salisbury State University and is a graduate of the Owner/President Management (OPM) executive leadership program at Harvard Business School. As division president in the north, he will oversee all branches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, DC and Virginia.
Tuzzolino graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management. He has more than 25 years of industry experience and has been a key player in Ruppert’s construction division for almost 20 years. Jim started his career at Ruppert as an intern and worked his way up through the ranks to assistant foreman, foreman and more until his most recent position as region vice president. Tuzzolino has been recognized with several awards, including the company’s Branch Impact Award in 2005, the Achievement Award in 2008 and the Clyde Vadner Merit Award in 2012. As division president in the south, he will oversee all branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
“Fred and Jim have been instrumental in driving our company’s growth and success over the years,” said CEO Phil Key. “Their promotions are a testament to their leadership, dedication and the significant impact they’ve had on our team and operations. I’m confident that under their guidance, our divisions will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional service to our customers.”
Jeffrey Ratliff joins Takeuchi as new director of sales and marketing
Takeuchi-US appointed Jeffrey Ratliff as its new director of sales and marketing, replacing Henry Lawson, who is retiring after six years with the compact equipment manufacturer.
A resident of Buford, Ga., Ratliff will be responsible for dealer sales development and national account business and activity in North America. His role includes helping Takeuchi-US achieve company market share objectives, including dealer sales, budgeting, asset management and inventory audits. Ratliff will also direct and manage Takeuchi’s national rental accounts.
“I’m very pleased to be with a company that’s so focused on delivering the best possible value to its customers,” Ratliff said. “All over our office, you see signs saying to ‘Do what’s right — the Takeuchi Way,’ and that’s the mindset our entire team embraces every day. Our motto for 2025 is ‘Make Our Best Better.’ We’re focused on continuous improvement, and that’s something I’m excited to be a part of.”
Ratliff joins Takeuchi-US with nearly 25 years of experience helping teams deliver new products and services to the market while simultaneously driving revenue growth, margin improvement and market share growth. Over the past two decades, Ratliff worked in the ag equipment industry, taking on increasing responsibilities in sales and product management, eventually becoming the marketing director for an international ag machinery manufacturer.
“Jeffrey has spent his career implementing solid marketing and sales principles within the equipment industry,” said Jeff Stewart, president of Takeuchi-US. “He has a proven track record of building excellent teams who understand customer challenges and how to help those customers find the products that will best help them in their everyday lives. We’re pleased to have him join the Takeuchi family, and I’m excited to see his positive impact on market share and overall growth.”
Toro sees John McPhee retire
The Toro Co. (TTC) will see John McPhee, general manager of the Irrigation and Lighting business, retire at the end of December, following 29 years of distinguished service with the company. McPhee will transition his leadership responsibilities to Neville Mody starting Nov. 1., and will remain in an advisory capacity until his retirement to ensure a smooth transition.
“John’s contributions over nearly three decades have been transformative for both our company and the irrigation and lighting industries,” said Edric Funk, Group vice president, Golf, Grounds & Irrigation at The Toro Company. “His deep-rooted dedication to customer success, continuous innovation and sustainable solutions has paved the way for the next generation of leadership.”
According to the company, McPhee’s collaboration with The Toro Co. commercial leadership team has driven momentum in delivering innovative and integrated customer solutions, setting the company up for future success.
Neville Mody, who currently serves as general manager for Toro’s agricultural irrigation business, will take on the additional responsibility of leading the Irrigation and Lighting business. Mody has a proven track record in enhancing stability within the agricultural sector while expanding product diversity and building strong relationships with customers.
“Neville’s leadership, especially his commitment to sustainability and innovative solutions, makes him the ideal leader to guide our Irrigation and Lighting business forward,” said Funk. “We are confident that Neville will continue to build on the success and momentum John has established.”
Mody joined TTC in 2006 as a product manager in marketing and has since held several leadership roles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from San Diego State University.
Vectorworks appoints Eric Gilbey to LAF Board of Directors
Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks appointed Eric Gilbey, PLA, ASLA, APLD and Vectorworks product marketing manager for the landscape industries, to the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term.
His term officially began Oct. 4 following the LAF’s Annual Board Meeting and events in Washington, DC. LAF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering landscape architects to create a more sustainable, just and resilient future, selected Gilbey for his extensive background in landscape architecture and his CAD and BIM technology expertise. As a member of the LAF Board, Gilbey will contribute his deep industry knowledge, experience and passion for advancing sustainable practices to further the foundation’s mission.
“We are thrilled to see Eric join the LAF Board of Directors,” said Vectorworks chief marketing officer Jeremy Powell. “His professional experience and dedication to advancing the landscape industry, along with his expertise in innovative software and technologies used to enhance it, align perfectly with LAF’s goals. We are confident that Eric’s contributions will further the influence and impact of landscape professionals.”
Gilbey has been instrumental in helping landscape architects and designers develop best practices, including sustainable site design and the application of site-specific BIM, thanks to his background as a practicing landscape architect. His involvement with LAF is a natural progression of his efforts to support landscape professionals and create better-performing landscapes through technology and design analysis.
“I am honored to join the distinguished professionals on the LAF Board of Directors and to contribute to the foundation’s vision of creating a more resilient future,” said Gilbey. “I look forward to collaborating with the board, sharing insights from the industry and advancing initiatives that support the important work of landscape architects and designers.”
Gilbey’s appointment further strengthens the ongoing partnership between Vectorworks and LAF, as Vectorworks has been a proud sponsor of LAF since 2013.
Rainbow Companies’ new CEO and COO
Rainbow Companies appointed Greg Krogstad as chief executive officer and Shawn Bernick as chief operations officer effective Feb. 1, 2024. Current CEO, Tom Prosser, will continue in his role as chairman of the board of the employee-owned company, effective immediately.
Krogstad began his career in arboriculture as a field production arborist caring for trees. Krogstad joined Rainbow after graduating in forestry in 1999 and his passion for the environment and caring for people led him to career advancements from crew leader, sales and operational management to executive leadership.
In his new role as CEO, Krogstad will continue leading Rainbow Companies to success in the markets of tree care, lawn care, pest control, utility vegetation management, research and product development.
“It is an exciting time in the green industry with new technologies and new opportunities, but it is always going to be a people-driven business. I am privileged to lead an employee-owned company dedicated to its culture and values, investing in people who are committed to leaving the world in a better place,” said Krogstad.
“Greg is one of the smartest people I know. He has a big heart for people and the world,” said out-going CEO and founder, Tom Prosser, “His commitment for serving others and the world is evident in all his actions.”
Shawn Bernick, MS in plant pathology, has been an integral part of Rainbow’s research and development department since joining the company in 2003. Shawn has been a lead researcher on hundreds of field trials, forming relationships with scientists and industry leaders around the world and bringing new technologies to the market that improve green industry practices. Bernick took his passion for discovery from science to leadership when he took over the role of general manager of Rainbow Ecoscience (formerly Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements) in 2014.
“Rainbow is a unique company with some of the most dedicated and committed people in the industry,” said Bernick. “We see the positive impact our work makes on the world, and it drives us to continually improve.”
According to the company, Bernick’s role of general manager for Rainbow Ecoscience gave him the skills and experience to grow into an executive position managing all aspects of Rainbow Companies.
“Shawn is the exceptional blend of scientific thinker and driven entrepreneur,” said Prosser, “He is a perfect fit for leading these businesses into the future.”
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