LandCare — No. 12 on the 2023 LM150 list — recently appointed Jennifer Burnett as Chief People Officer. In this new role, Burnett will lead LandCare in growing, engaging and developing its team.
As LandCare’s first CPO, Burnett will lead efforts focused on talent recruitment, training and development, employee services and benefits and the Tangerine Foundation’s TERF and LEAF initiatives.
Since joining LandCare in 2015 as the Director of Finance, Burnett has led efforts to build the company’s regional controller team, branch administration procedures and led its company-wide ERP implementation, updating its accounting, personnel management and production management software.
In her role as Executive Vice President of Organizational Development, Burnett championed the alignment of LandCare’s employee services, learning and development and talent acquisition teams to improve the team member experience from recruitment to role advancement. According to LandCare, Burnett’s increased focus on its internal initiatives, like its internship program, Management Training program (MT) and Women’s Initiative Network showcases her passion for people and ability to enhance the team member experience.
“Jennifer has been an essential partner since we started at LandCare and created a vision together of what this company can be. Her passion for creating a business uniquely focused on the team member experience helps drive every decision we make,” said Mike Bogan, CEO. “As Chief People Officer, Jennifer’s deep industry background, thoughtful insight and dedication to our mission will continue to bring an invaluable perspective to our leadership team.”
PERC adds director of autogas business development
The Propane Education & Research Council hired David Walters as the new director of autogas business development. In this role, Walters will develop and implement strategic market plans to increase propane autogas adoption and support the research and development of innovative products.
“David has been at the forefront of driving sustainable energy solutions in the transportation sector, and we’re confident he will bring those talents into this role to seize opportunities ahead for our industry,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC.
Walters brings more than 25 years of expertise in business development and sales leadership in the energy industry, including a focus on hydrogen and RNG. Most recently, he served as national sales manager at Atlas Copco Compressor, where he directed business development and oversaw product integration across multiple North American regions.
“I am excited to embark on this new chapter with PERC, where my passion for sustainability and my expertise in business development converge to make a significant impact on the future of transportation,” Walters said. “I invite you to connect with me to explore potential collaborations and learn more about how we can drive the adoption of cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions together.”
Takeuchi’s Caldwell transitions to a new role
David Caldwell, formerly Takeuchi’s national product manager, has transitioned to become the manufacturer’s new Southeast regional product manager.
In his new role, Caldwell will be responsible for all dealer and national rental account support activity within a multi-state area spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Caldwell will support dealer sales teams and their customers to demonstrate, promote and support the Takeuchi compact equipment product line. He will also work cross-functionally to complete new product roadmaps and discover new opportunities within the construction equipment market segment throughout the Southeast.
“David has been a driving force behind the success of our products here in the United States for more than a decade,” said John Vranches, division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “He knows our machines inside and out. He’s a consummate professional who can speak to what makes Takeuchi equipment unique in this industry. I can’t think of a better person to take on the challenges of our Southeast regional product manager role, and I know our customers in that area will benefit from David’s high level of expertise.”
Caldwell has been with Takeuchi-US since August 2010, starting his career there as the company’s product and training manager specializing in compact excavators. He has served as the company’s national product manager since 2021 and will remain in that position until he transitions to Southeast regional product manager. His experience in the compact equipment industry spans back more than two decades with roles ranging from marketing analyst to product specialist to product manager.
“I’m excited to move into this new chapter of my career with Takeuchi,” said Caldwell. “While I’ve enjoyed my work at our U.S. headquarters in Pendergrass, Georgia, I’m looking forward to having more opportunities to interface with our dealers and their customers out in the field. Working with them and finding out how Takeuchi can serve them better has always been my passion, and that will be an integral part of this new role.”
U.S. Pole Co. adds Scott Smith
The U.S. Pole Co., home of Sun Valley Lighting and US Architectural Lighting brands and a manufacturer of architectural, performance, outdoor luminaires and decorative poles, has named Scott Smith as Northeast Regional Manager.
“With roughly 30 years of experience in the lighting industry, Scott is ideally suited to lead our sales efforts in the Northeast,” said George Preston, CEO of US Pole. “His product knowledge and commitment to customer satisfaction make him a great addition to the team.”
Of his 30 years in the industry, Smith spent more than 20 of them with Sternberg Lighting in a variety of roles, including inside sales, technical support, application, photometrics, quotations and outside sales. He then went on to serve in various regional positions with Coronet Lighting and Spring City Lighting before becoming part of the roadway team at KSA Lighting and Controls.
“I’ve been around this industry long enough to know quality products, and that’s why I’m happy to be a part of the US Pole team,” said Smith.
