The Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County (CBN-MC) deemed Craig Ruppert, CEO of Laytonsville, Md.-based Ruppert Landscape, the 2013 Catholic Business Person of the Year Nov. 22 at its annual gala at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.
“Ruppert’s professional and civic contributions reach deep into and far beyond the Montgomery County community and epitomize what it means to be the Business Person of the Year,” said Gerard McLoughlin, board president of the nonprofit. “We are excited to celebrate such a distinguished, accomplished professional, and a genuine good guy, at our annual gala.”
From small neighborhood beginnings in the 1970s where he started the business out of his father’s garage, to the commercial, Mid-Atlantic present day operation, Craig has been responsible for the overall vision and the development of the landscape company and other related entities including Ruppert Properties and Ruppert Nurseries.
“It is a privilege to be recognized by the Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County, and I humbly accept this award on behalf of the entire team at Ruppert Landscape,” Ruppert said. “CBN-MC does a tremendous job of not only connecting local professionals, but their charitable work in helping to make Catholic education affordable and accessible is something to be celebrated, and a cause I believe in.”
Ruppert also credited the Ruppert Landscape’s employees for the company’s growth.
“As a leader in the company, it is often me who receives the accolades,” he said. “But I want all of the employees to know how much I appreciate and value what they do in this organization every day.”
In addition to his role at Ruppert Landscape, Ruppert is involved in numerous professional and charitable organizations in communities he serves, including Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region, Food for the Poor, Sandy Spring Bank, St. John’s College High School, Associated Builders and Contractors Leadership Development Program and The Community Foundation of Montgomery County.
