Laytonsville, MD – Ruppert Landscape has expanded its Maryland operations to include a new branch in White Marsh. Serving the northern Baltimore region, this branch joins 19 existing branch offices that are located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, supporting both the landscape construction and landscape management divisions of the company.
“Like many of our branches, the White Marsh office evolved from a satellite operation and its permanent establishment is a strategic move designed to better serve our customers,” said Tom Barry, vice president of the landscape management division. “When we open new facilities in the regions where our customers’ properties are concentrated, it allows us to be more responsive and efficient in our work.”
This branch opening precipitates several personnel moves in the Maryland region.
The White Marsh branch will be led by Dan Trocher, former branch manager in our Laytonsville, MD landscape management branch. Trocher, a 10-year Ruppert employee, has successfully lead the Laytonsville branch for almost two years and will be transferring to White Marsh to help grow its fledgling team and perpetuate the Ruppert culture. Recently appointed associate branch manager, Mike Fleming, will report to Trocher and will continue to play a leading role in building Ruppert’s presence in this market.
The Laytonsville branch will be led by John Harich, former branch manager in our Baltimore, MD landscape management branch. Harich, a 13-year Ruppert employee, has successfully managed the Frederick, Laytonsville, and most recently the Baltimore branch and will be returning to the Laytonsville branch in part to recruit and train new talent, as the branch will effectively operate as an incubator to support the landscape management division’s growth. Recently appointed associate branch managers, Tom Flint and Jenna Hicks, will report to Harich.
The Baltimore branch will be led by Damien Barber, who was hired last year as branch manager.
“Damien has been supporting the Baltimore branch in a business development capacity while undergoing branch manager orientation,” said Doug Halsey, region vice president. “This has allowed him to get re-acclimated to the Ruppert team, culture and systems.” He continued, “As branch manager, his main objectives will be to establish strong relationships with the customer base in this market, to build a foundation with new work, as well as build strategy around the existing book of business in the southern Baltimore region.”
Barber is a landscape industry certified technician (CLT) and holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape management from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill. He interned with Ruppert in 1998 and went on to become a field manager, area manager, and branch manager when the company was acquired by TruGreen LandCare. In 2007, he was hired by another industry organization where he ran a highly successful maintenance branch in Anne Arundel County. He led that branch until 2013 when he was promoted to vice president and general manager in Raleigh, NC, where he oversaw revenues in excess of $30 million and led a team of over 450 people. Barber currently resides in the Baltimore area with his wife and two children.
Ruppert Landscape, a family and employee-owned business, provides commercial landscape construction and management with 20 branches serving eight primary markets in Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta and Houston. The company has a long-standing tradition of growing its team and giving back to the community. Visit us at www.ruppertlandscape.com.