Ruppert Landscape is pleased to announce the promotion of Damien Barber to region manager in the company’s landscape management division and the promotion of Mike Fleming to branch manager in the Baltimore, Maryland landscape management branch.
As region manager, Barber will oversee operations at four of the company’s landscape management branches: Baltimore and White Marsh (Maryland) and Toughkenamon and King of Prussia (Pennsylvania).
“As our northern region has grown, there was a need for additional management support to ensure the development of our teams and profitability in those branches,” said Tom Barry, president of the landscape management division.
Barber has over 20 years of green industry experience, 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 first interned with Ruppert in 1998 and served as field manager, area manager, and ultimately branch manager before the sale of the company. During his time away from Ruppert, he ran a highly successful landscape maintenance branch in Anne Arundel County before being 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. He rejoined Ruppert in 2016 and, when the Baltimore operations split into two branches, became branch manager in the Baltimore landscape management branch. He currently resides in Bel Air, MD with his wife and two children.
“As Baltimore branch manager, Damien was able to relocate our facility on short notice, sustain healthy growth, lead a seasoned team to further grow their careers, and set the table for a winning branch for many years to come,” said Barry. “We are looking forward to seeing his impact on the other branches in our northern region.
Fleming has been tapped to fill the role of Baltimore branch manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and turf management from Williamson College of the Trades and is a landscape industry certified technician (CLT). He has been with the company for 11 years and has worked in multiple branches during this time. He joined the company upon graduation in 2006 as assistant field manager in our Toughkenamon, PA branch and was quickly promoted to field manager. In 2009, he was promoted to area manager in our Frederick, MD branch and soon transferred to our Baltimore branch. During his time as an area manager, he excelled in his role assisting the branch and its teams to strong and successful years. In 2017, the Baltimore branch split to create the White Marsh, MD location, where Mike held a dual role as area and enhancement manager and was accepted into Ruppert’s Associate Branch Manager leadership development program. Driven by our dedication to develop our employees and promote from within, this program provides an opportunity for mid-level managers to learn, gain experience, and grow as leaders.
“During his time as associate branch manager, Mike was heavily involved in the operations of the White Marsh branch working alongside branch manager Dan Trocher, who exposed him to the duties and responsibilities of the role,” said Barber. “We are confident that his training and knowledge of the company have prepared him well for his new position.”
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. He currently resides in Westminster, MD with his wife, Chrissy, and two daughters.