COMPANY GROWTH LEADS TO PROMOTIONS: John Harich, Ed O’Brien Named Branch Managers
January 2008
Laytonsville, MD — Ruppert Nurseries is pleased to announce the promotions of John Harich and Ed O’Brien to Montgomery and Frederick County branch managers respectively. Director of Landscape Management Operations, Phil Key, notes that, "The growth of Ruppert Nurseries’ landscape management division, and our desire for continued growth, has both necessitated and allowed us to expand. As importantly, it has given us the opportunity to promote from the talented pool of people who work at Ruppert."
John Harich will open the company’s Frederick County branch this Spring. He has been with Ruppert Nurseries for five years and has served the company as field manager, area manager and business development manager. "John’s strength is building strong client relationships," says Regional Manager Doug Halsey, to whom the new managers will report. "This trait has manifested into outstanding sales numbers over the years. John has also recently overseen one of our largest and most valued accounts in Urbana, proving that he has what it takes to manage all aspects of a branch." Harich was awarded Ruppert Nurseries’ 2006 Achievement Award. He lives in New Market with his wife and two sons.
Ed O’Brien will take over the Montgomery County landscape management branch, a position created by Halsey’s own promotion. Halsey notes, "Ed has served as both an enhancement and an area manager and has distinguished himself through his customer retention rate." "I’m looking forward to a new challenge and am pleased to be part of the growth of this organization," says O’Brien. "Doug set the bar high and my challenge will be to continue his emphasis on customer service and people development." O’Brien’s immediate goals are to continue to improve the branch’s service and product consistency and to groom branch employees for future leadership positions. He holds degrees in landscape design/build and business management and is both a certified landscape technician (CLT) and a certified pesticide applicator. He resides in Rockville with his wife, Lisa, and they are looking forward to the birth of their first child.
As branch managers, both men will be responsible for the overall development and health of their respective branches to include strategic planning, budgeting, training and higher education, and all day–to–day activities.
"These promotions are exciting for all involved at Ruppert as they recognize outstanding performances and create opportunities for other high achievers in the company," says Key.
Ruppert Nurseries, Inc. provides commercial landscape installation and landscape management services in the mid&ndsah;Atlantic regions and includes branches in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia. The company also operates a 475–acre wholesale tree nursery in Montgomery County, Md.
Contact: Amy Snyder
Phone: (301) 482-0300
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