Justin Walsh, co-owner of R.S. Walsh Landscaping, has been named president of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Royal Palm Chapter for 2025-2026.
FNGLA is one of the nation’s largest state nursery and landscape associations, and the Royal Palm Chapter serves as a vital hub for green industry professionals across southwest Florida. As chapter president, Walsh will lead local efforts to promote best practices, professional development and advocacy for the region’s nursery and landscape businesses.
“Justin has grown up in this industry and truly understands the dedication, innovation and stewardship it takes to keep Florida’s landscapes healthy and sustainable,” said Bob Walsh, founder of R.S. Walsh Landscaping. “We’re proud to see him stepping into this leadership role that benefits our entire community.”
Walsh has been immersed in the family business since childhood, gaining hands-on experience in landscape installation, maintenance and plant identification. After earning his degree from the University of Alabama in 2010, he returned to R.S. Walsh Landscaping, where he now oversees operations and management of the company. In addition to managing projects, human resources and maintenance client relations, he is actively involved in community and public relations efforts for R.S. Walsh.
“It’s an honor to serve as president of the Royal Palm Chapter,” said Walsh. “FNGLA is a powerful network that supports our industry’s future, and I look forward to working alongside my peers to keep southwest Florida growing strong.”
Davey Tree makes five key promotions
The Davey Tree Expert Company recently made five key promotions to its Davey Tree Surgery Company, including Kevin Peters to vice president and general manager; Bill Heriford to vice president, corporate services; Jeff McCormick to vice president, Western operations; David Miller to vice president, Southwestern operations; and Sean Sornberger to vice president, pole services.
Kevin Peters
“Kevin has willingly accepted and excelled at every opportunity he’s been given since joining Davey,” said Pat Covey, chairman, president and CEO at Davey. “His management has driven ample success in utility line clearance in the western U.S., so I’m positive Kevin will continue to build on that success in his new role.”
Peters joined Davey in 2008 when Davey acquired The Care of Trees. More recently, Peters had been promoted to vice president of the Western operating group, U.S. Residential/Commercial (R/C) services in 2016, then in 2017 was promoted to vice president of the Surgery Company.
Peters is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Master Arborist, holds an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) and is a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP).
Bill Heriford
Heriford joined Davey in 1983 as a field supervisor on the Pacific Gas and Electric account. Heriford is an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Utility Specialist and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP). In 1993, Heriford graduated from the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.), Davey’s flagship training program in biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care and management techniques.
Jeff McCormick
McCormick joined Davey in 1995 as a climber with the California operations and was promoted to general foreman in 2003. More recently, he was promoted to an operations manager at Davey’s Livermore corporate office in 2022 and then to regional vice president, Northern operations of the Surgery Company in 2023. McCormick is an ISA Certified Utility Specialist and TCIA CTSP. In 2007, he graduated from D.I.T.S.
David Miller
Miller joined Davey in 1998 as a patrolman and steadily advanced through the ranks over the years. Miller is an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Utility Specialist and TCIA CTSP. He graduated from D.I.T.S. in 2000 and is a former member of Davey’s President’s Council, which brainstorms and researches new ideas related to the company’s operations and presents them to management for review and consideration for implementation.
Sean Sornberger
Sornberger joined Davey in 2002 as a consulting utility forester for Davey Resource Group (DRG). Most recently, he was promoted to operations manager, pole services in 2020. Sornberger is an ISA Certified Utility Specialist and TCIA CTSP. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Arizona State University.
Toro name Tom Werner as new general manager
Toro announced that Tom Werner has been named the new general manager for the Toro Sitework Systems business. Werner brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving results, making him an ideal fit to lead the division, according to the company.
Werner initially joined The Toro Company in June 2018 as a senior product marketing manager in the Residential and Landscape Contractor (RLC) business. Most recently, he served as senior director of marketing for RLC, a role in which he was instrumental in successfully launching new products, expanding channel partnerships and relaunching brand marketing for the Toro line.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Tom Werner to lead our Sitework Systems business,” said Pete Moeller, group vice president of Underground and Specialty Construction at The Toro Company. “Tom’s hands-on approach, passion for innovation and deep understanding of our customers perfectly align with the spirit and future direction of Siteworks. His leadership will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions.”
Werner received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He further strengthened his strategic acumen with a corporate strategy certificate from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a digital transformation certificate from Columbia University.
Over the coming months, Werner looks forward to actively engaging with both dealers and rental stores to gain comprehensive insights into the Sitework Systems business and identify new opportunities for growth and continued success.
Plant Development Systems finds new internal and external talent
Plant Development Services (PDSI) revealed the addition and promotion of key talent within its team to fuel the growth of its family of brands. The company stated the following new hires and promotions reflecting the experience and fresh talent driving the company’s continued success:
Joshua Geiger joins Plant Development Services as propagation manager
PDSI has appointed Josh Geiger as propagation manager to spearhead production for consumer brands Southern Living Plant Collection, Encore Azalea, Sunset Plant Collection, Better Boxwood and Butterfly Candy Buddleia. Geiger brings nearly a decade of hands-on horticultural production experience to the role, including management roles overseeing propagation, facilities and herbicide application with Flowerwood Nursery.
Having assumed his new position in October, Geiger has since excelled at managing PDSI’s propagation operations, leading plant production and working with his new team to improve techniques and productivity. With his horticultural expertise and collaborative approach, Geiger is helping PDSI establish a firm foundation for future growth.
Nicole Keppel promoted to social media and content manager
Plant Development Services promoted Nicole Keppel to social media and content manager. Keppel has excelled in her three years with the company, holding several different roles and responsibilities within PDSI’s marketing team. Tasked with driving online engagement and reach, Keppel’s successes include overseeing growth of more than 100,000 new followers among the company’s online audiences and launching social media platforms for the debut Better Boxwood and Butterfly Candy Buddleia brands. Her new role will see the expansion of these responsibilities.
Plant Development Services hires Kate Pierce as marketing assistant
Kate Pierce joined PDSI as marketing assistant in June 2025, having previously interned with the company’s marketing team. Bringing her master’s level training in cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics, Kate’s experience includes research into consumer perception of persuasive language, which she uses to develop insights and drive marketing strategy. In her new role, Kate will leverage her expertise to advance PDSI’s social media and communications efforts with trade and consumer audiences.
