The Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), a national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer sector, has promoted Jon Gaeta to senior director, government affairs. This move highlights the organization’s commitment to strengthening its advocacy at state and local levels amid evolving regulatory landscapes, according to RISE.
Gaeta, who joined RISE five years ago and most recently served as director of state affairs, has played a pivotal role in building a responsive state advocacy program. His efforts have helped RISE address both longstanding and emerging issues affecting the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industries, which are crucial for golf course superintendents, turf managers and landscape professionals nationwide.
“We’re thrilled to announce Jon Gaeta’s promotion,” said RISE president Megan Provost. “During the past five years, Jon has grown our state affairs advocacy and stakeholder relations program to deliver exceptional policy outcomes for our industry. We are excited about the strategic vision and leadership he brings to this new role and to our industry advocacy.”
Gaeta’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
RC Mowers makes national expansions and appoints new CFO
RC Mowers, a manufacturer of robotic and autonomous mowers, hired a new chief financial officer, along with key additions across its sales, engineering and human resources departments.
“Helping commercial landscaping companies and public agencies solve real business challenges is one of our top priorities,” said RC Mowers CEO Michael Brandt. “These new hires bring the expertise we need to keep pushing boundaries and stay at the forefront of autonomous and robotic mowing. We’re excited to welcome them to the team.”
The company has tapped new CFO Dave Kempski to lead its financial strategy and operations by drawing on more than 30 years of financial and operational leadership to drive sustainable growth. Kempski has worked with both public and private technology and manufacturing companies, ranging from startups to global enterprises with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.
Kempski has been instrumental in a variety of high-impact areas, including mergers and acquisitions, divestiture transactions, financial planning and analysis, SEC and SOX compliance, equity and debt offerings and system implementations, according to the company.
Nationally, the company has also hired:
- Mike Brown, director of operations and quality. Brown’s 30 years of experience spans production, inventory control, packaging and facility operations. As a Lean Six Sigma expert, he knows how to optimize production flow, minimize waste and enhance reliability through data-driven decision making. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Brown’s background as a mechanic shaped his problem-solving mindset and disciplined leadership style.
- Jeff Bowden, regional sales manager, Pacific Northwest. Bowden has experience in both equipment and technology sales. After receiving training as a diesel engine, weapons elevator and main propulsion maintenance technician in the U.S. Navy, Bowden started his career as a mechanic. He moved into sales shortly after, however, and has consistently proven to be a top negotiator with a knack for problem-solving.
- Michael Nichols, regional sales manager, mid-south region. Nichols has spent most of his career cultivating relationships with his clients while driving positive customer service experiences through education and consultation. His track record highlights his dedication to delivering results and plans to elevate RC Mowers’ visibility in the mid-south region.
- Jason Mayosky, regional sales manager, California. Mayosky has more than 10 years of outside sales experience and understands how to maintain relationships to build business development. At RC Mowers, he will implement innovative sales and marketing strategies to increase the company’s market share in the Golden State.
The robotic mower manufacturer has also hired several positions that will work at the company’s main office and factory in Suamico, Wis. These include:
- Marcus Laabs, mechanical engineer. Laabs has more than five years of experience as a mechanical engineer and wants to help RC Mowers succeed through departmental collaboration. He enjoys bringing new products to the market.
- Evan Molnar, engineering designer. With experience as both an engineer and group leader, Molnar has experience bridging the gap between the engineering department and the manufacturing floor. He is certified in advanced composites and additive manufacturing with an adept knowledge of CAD, CAM and GD&T.
- Miranda Coonen, human resources generalist. Coonen began her professional career as a teaching assistant at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (USWP). From there, she went on to serve as an office administrator, where she managed everything from budgeting to inventory oversight. She also assisted in and eventually led the hiring process for UWSP’s Health and Wellness School and for the payroll department. She will help RC Mowers manage its talent while onboarding new employees.
RightLine hires Florida sales manager
RightLine recently hired Brian Mount as the company’s Florida sales manager, effective June 1, 2025. Mount comes to RightLine with decades of experience in the turf and ornamental markets, according to the company.
Mount has worked in various technical and sales roles in turf markets and most recently with FMC Corporation. Mount has a master’s degree in entomology and is a board-certified entomologist.
Mount will represent the existing RightLine product line, which includes EPA-registered herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, nematicides and nutritional products. He will also help launch a series of new RightLine branded products as the company expands into the professional lawn care markets.
“The state of Florida is already a strong golf product market for RightLine, and it has the potential to grow exponentially into lawn care with our proprietary herbicide RightLine Loyalty WDG. Brian will immediately help support our distributor partners grow their businesses,” said RightLine chief executive officer Tim Zech.
Pursell Agri-Tech appoints director of NPK sales
Pursell Agri-Tech has appointed Richard Newman as director of NPK sales. This move comes as the company continues to expand its portfolio and respond to evolving demands in the turf and agriculture sectors.
“Richard is already proving to be an asset to the Pursell team,” said Tim Ferguson, CEO of Pursell Agri-Tech. “His background, expertise and experience in the industry, alongside his valuable strategic insights, will help amplify the impact of our innovative product portfolio and optimize our collaboration with customers and partners.”
Newman, a University of Florida graduate, brings nearly 20 years of experience in both distribution and manufacturing within the green industry. Newman’s role is expected to focus on strengthening Pursell Agri-Tech’s NPK product strategy and delivering long-term value to customers. As the company builds on its century-long history, stakeholders across the turf and agriculture markets will be watching to see how this leadership change shapes innovation and customer partnerships, according to the company.
“I’m excited to join the talented team at Pursell and contribute to the continued growth and innovation of the NPK portfolio,” said Newman. “There’s a great opportunity to bring fresh strategy and long-term value to our customers, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
