Massey Services, a pest management and landscape industry service company, saw its president and CEO, Tony Massey, get appointed to the University of Central Florida (UCF) board of trustees by the board of governors.
The UCF board of trustees consists of 13 members dedicated to the purposes of the State University System of Florida. They are responsible for ensuring that all decisions follow the overall university mission. These include cost-effective policy decisions, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs and oversight of university performance, financial management and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and requirements.
“I am incredibly honored to serve on the board of trustees for UCF,” said Massey. “The school has grown significantly since I have lived in Orlando and is now the largest university in Florida. UCF offers world-renowned faculty and top-ranked programs to encourage students to reach their highest potential. I am looking forward to being a part of the university’s future as we prepare for the emerging industries of tomorrow.”
Massey graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investment management. He received his MBA from Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business.
Takeuchi appoints new national account manager
Takeuchi-US appointed Derek Koontz as its national accounts manager. Koontz will manage sales development and activity on existing national accounts as well as prospect for new accounts. Koontz will also be responsible for forecasting and achieving Takeuchi’s sales objectives in the U.S. and Canada.
“I’m really excited to join the Takeuchi-US team,” said Koontz. “I’ve enjoyed growing my sales management experience over the past 10 years, and I feel like my previous roles have prepared me well for this newest challenge. I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learned to work for Takeuchi.”
A resident of Wilmington, N.C., Koontz comes to Takeuchi from a previous role as a senior director of national accounts for a manufacturer of aerial work platforms. His other experience includes a tenure as vice president of sales for an industrial equipment dealer. Koontz holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
“Derek is a very focused and driven professional,” said Jeffrey Ratliff, director of sales and marketing for Takeuchi-US. “His ability to build relationships with both internal and external customers is a great fit for our national account manager role. Derek has also demonstrated a knack for introducing products and educating clients. His solution-oriented approach will be a true benefit to Takeuchi as we continue to grow in the U.S.”
The Davey Tree Expert Company makes two key promotions
The Davey Tree Expert Company recently made two key promotions with Dan Herms, Ph.D., becoming vice president and general manager of the Davey Institute and Geoff Cowan now sitting as the vice president and general manager, western operations, Residential/Commercial (R/C) services.
In his new role, Herms will be responsible for Davey’s team of scientists and researchers embedded throughout North America, research and development, Davey’s ecosystem services group, corporate mapping, education and training and environmental programs. He will also prepare the Institute team as they move to Davey’s new SEED (science, employee education and development) Campus in Kent, Ohio, in the summer of 2025.
“Dan’s impact on our scientific capacity and culture has been significant,” said Greg Ina, executive vice president, the Davey Institute and Employee Development. “Throughout his short time at Davey, Dan has had a great impact on the company, most notably his major role in the master planning process and development of the SEED Campus. I’m confident that Dan’s integrity, expertise and intellect make him the perfect candidate for this promotion within the Institute.”
Herms has worked in the green industry for 40 years. He joined the Davey Institute in 2018 as vice president of research and development. Through this role, one of his responsibilities was continuing his research on effects of climate change on the green industry. He began his career in 1984 at the Dow Gardens, a public garden and arboretum in Midland, Mich., where he directed the plant health care and research programs. From 1997-2017, Herms was a professor in the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University, serving as department chair from 2012-2016.
“Geoff has a long history with Davey working his way up the R/C ladder, and this experience will set him up perfectly to lead our western operations,” said Jed Day, executive vice president and general manager, R/C services. “Along with his experience and credentials, Geoff possesses the unique qualities of a compassionate leader that will now benefit more teammates in the R/C service line.”
Cowan started with Davey in 1983 as a tree care trainee in the west Cleveland R/C office. After a series of promotions, in 1988 he was promoted to district manager for the new Kansas City R/C office, and in 1996, he transferred to the south Chicago office as district manager. In 2014, he was promoted to market manager, north central Chicago-based R/C operations, in 2017 was promoted to operations manager of the same operating group and then in 2020 was promoted to vice president, north central R/C operations.
TruGreen appoints Brian Bugara to senior vice president and chief revenue officer
TruGreen, a national lawn care provider, appointed Brian Bugara as its new senior vice president and chief revenue officer (CRO). As a member of the company’s executive team, Bugara will lead sales and customer care efforts while also managing the commercial sales team.
Bugara joins the TruGreen team with more than 30 years of experience in the sales, marketing and business development fields. In his most recent role, he served as the chief growth officer at 1Concier. Prior, he also held leadership positions at Rentokil and Cintas.
“Brian has a proven track record in achieving growth through improving sales operations and building strong customer relationships. I am confident he will play a pivotal role in our company’s future success and contribute to building our culture as one team together,” said Kurt Kane, president and CEO of TruGreen.
Bugara succeeds Mark Baranczyk, TruGreen’s current senior vice president, sales and customer experience, who will serve as a strategic advisory role to the position until spring 2025.
Kane added, “We thank Mark Baranczyk for his five and a half years with TruGreen and his continued support as Brian transitions into this role. We look forward to building on the foundation he has laid.”
Conserva Irrigation hires industry veteran to teach irrigation professionals
Conserva Irrigation hired irrigation industry veteran Chris Keating to teach and train franchisees, technicians and others. Keating retired in December after 17 years with The Toro Company and over a decade on the board of trustees of the Irrigation Foundation.
“If you’re lucky, someone special comes into your life and makes a positive impact that alters the course of your business,” said Conserva Irrigation president and co-founder Russ Jundt. “Chris Keating is exactly that for Conserva. His institutional knowledge and business acumen, combined with his passion for the industry, have helped shape our entire business model. We are so blessed to continue this relationship beyond Toro and into Chris’ retirement.”
According to the company, Keating was a leader in the irrigation industry for the last 50 years, beginning in 1974 as irrigation manager at a landscape company in New Jersey. His range of experience includes owning a nursery-irrigation company and a gym franchise and serving as president of the Irrigation Association of New Jersey, treasurer of the Carolinas Irrigation Association and as a board member of the Irrigation Association. Most recently, he volunteered for 14 years on the Irrigation Foundation’s board of trustees, chairing the Careers Task Group and the IA Professional Mentor Program.
“Industry training is close to my heart, and the Conserva franchisees appreciate the information and put it to great use,” Keating said. “What is unique to Conserva is their adherence to industry best practices. They endeavor to do the right thing, while they also strive to do things right. I’ve often said they are a ‘force multiplier’ for everything good in our industry, and I hope to add more strength to that statement.”
Keating begins work as an industry consultant at Conserva Irrigation this month.
