Ruppert Landscape has expanded its landscape management operations to include a new branch in Delaware on the Delmarva peninsula. Serving Lewes, Bethany, Millsboro, Rehoboth Beach, and Fenwick Island in Delaware as well as Ocean City in Maryland, this branch joins 18 existing landscape management branches and five landscape construction branches located in Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.
“The addition of the Delmarva branch places us in a healthy market that values quality landscapes and allows us to provide our people with more opportunities for growth,” said Doug Halsey, region vice president. “There has been a strong interest from our local existing customer base, many of whom have properties in the Delmarva region, to enter this market, so it had been identified in our latest five-year plan as a target expansion location. We look forward to growing the Ruppert brand in this market and carrying the torch of excellent customer service for many years to come.”
The Delmarva branch will be led by Garth Jorgensen, a 20-year Ruppert employee who previously managed the Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania landscape management branch.
“For this location to be successful, it’s critical to have a strong customer base and a trusted employee who understands the Ruppert culture,” said Halsey. “We are fortunate that Garth has stepped up to fill this role, and we are looking forward to having an industry veteran present in the market.”
Jorgensen has been in the landscape industry for over 30 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Delaware. He has been instrumental in helping the company maintain and further its presence in the Philadelphia market, having held several roles over the years including area manager, enhancement manager, and business development manager. In 1997 and 2005, he was recognized with the company’s Branch Impact Award for his dedication and contributions to the Pennsylvania branches.
The company has promoted Brian Windley to fill the role of branch manager in the Toughkenamon branch. Windley began his career in the landscape industry as a teenager, focusing on residential installations. In 1998, he joined a leading landscape organization as a field manager and was quickly promoted to area manager. During his time there, he excelled in both enhancement sales and building strong customer relationships, playing an integral role in the success of his branch. In 2007, he decided to leave the landscape industry and pursue a career in law enforcement, joining the Maryland Transportation Authority where he eventually became a detective. He spent 11 years on the force before deciding to return to his roots in landscaping. He joined Ruppert Landscape in 2018 as an area manager in the company’s Baltimore, Maryland landscape management branch.
“Brian was an easy choice for us to run the Toughkenamon operation,” said Damien Barber, region manager. “He is focused on what really matters in our business; our people, our customers, and delivering a quality product. Brian is an exceptional talent who has a ton of energy, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this branch with Brian at the helm.”
As branch manager, he will be responsible for the overall welfare of the branch, including the safety and development of his team, strategic planning and budgeting, training, and day-to-day operations.