Wildflowers Are Transforming Former Corporate Plazas.

Corporate America has jumped on the perennial bandwagon, says Josh Thermer, area manager for Eastern Land Management. A former golf course superintendent from Lake Preston, CT, who joined ELM in September 2021, he now leads ELM’s turf-to-meadow conversion program, in addition to overseeing procurement for all plant material and turf and ornamental products out of ELM’s Monroe office.

To Josh, there is no irony in promoting meadows during April’s Lawn Care month, as lawns and turf grass, like all plant material, are in a constant state of renewal.

“Landscapes are naturally transformative,” says Josh. “From converting worn-out concrete plazas to an expanse of wildflowers to replacing underperforming turf with native grasses to swapping out thirsty plants for drought tolerant perennials, it’s all about doing what’s best for the aesthetics of the site, the needs of the client, and the health and performance of the environment overall.”

Perennials are a trend worth keeping, especially given the challenges Connecticut has faced with drought. Meadows, prairie-plantings, naturalistic landscapes, and eco-lawns are all versions of an ecological revolution that improves soil health and groundwater, and reduces the need for toxic chemicals. When the soil is healthy, it sequesters carbon, which, in turn, is climate-positive—a win-win for companies seeking to improve their sustainability, ESG and LEED metrics.

“Improving the way we conserve water, and the way we improve the way people experience the outdoors is what we do. But we’re also improving the quality of corporate life and view meadows as a tenant amenity. Sitting in a gazebo and watching pollinators and birds is more relaxing than sitting on a bench and looking at a lawn devoid of wildlife because nothing’s blooming,” Josh adds.

Currently Josh is on point for several major corporate projects and landscape transformations deferred by Covid. An expert in sports and performance turf, he says he looks forward to working with college and university athletic directors looking to up their game.

For questions on lawn care turf conversions, meadows or athletic fields, contact Josh at 203-316-5433.

 

 

 

Rich Veenhuis Joins ELM as Area Manager

Eastern Land Management is pleased to announce Rich Veenhuis has joined its team as Area Manager. Rich will be based out of ELM’s facility in Monroe, CT.  

Rich brings a solid combination of business and snow industry experience to his new role, ranging from project management to operations.

“I am delighted to be part of the ELM team. I got the ‘landscape bug’ at a very young age and have enjoyed working in this industry my whole life. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for smart technologies and high performing landscape systems, and working with our regional team, customers, partners and community to deliver great and safe service, and perfect the experience people have with us,” said Rich.

“Rich is an exceptionally motivated professional, whose genuine passion will bring out the best in his team,” said ELM President, Bruce Moore, Jr. “He has a great blend of technical and people skills and will play an important role is driving consistent, year-round quality.”

A Chicago native and a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Rich’s professional certifications includes Six Sigma, CNLP (certified nursey and landscape professional) and a lifetime safety ranking from OSHA.

He holds a pesticide applicators license in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, is a graduate of the New England Tractor Trailer Training School and a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard.  He attended College of Lake Country in Grayslake, Illinois and was a member of the famed Chicago Second City improvisational theatre group.

Please join us in welcoming Rich to the ELM team.

Tina Zayas Joins ELM as Branch Administrator

We’re pleased to announce the recent addition of Tina Zayas to the staff at ELM. Tina will take on responsibilities as Administrator of our corporate HQ and branch office located in Stamford, CT.

Reporting to Branch Manager, Scott Distasio, Tina will be responsible for monitoring branch performance, tracking and implementing business practices and policies, and maintaining relationships with customers, clients, and community partners.

Tina is a certified project management professional and proven administrator, with experience running the offices of medical and dental practitioners, schools, and banks, and corporate sales and events.

A Stamford, CT native, Tina attended Norwalk Community College, where she pursued an associate degree in liberal arts and general studies.

With all the great places to work, why choose ELM? Tina says, the level of trust and fun, the level of pride the teams have in their jobs, and the opportunity to pull together to achieve something great together. “Any company that celebrates team success is a place I want to celebrate, too.”

Please join us in welcoming Tina to our success-driven team.

ELM Team Logs 55,000 Hours Incident Free

This year redefined expectations for the better. With return to work strategies, shifting mindsets, and attention to health and hygiene, ELM’s integrated health and safety system became mission critical.

“For as long as I can remember,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., ELM president, “we’ve focused on customers first. But Covid made us realize that if we don’t care of our team first, they won’t be as effective in running a smooth service operation or serving our customers. So, we’re doing all we can to protect our team, and their families, from risk of infection and contribute to flattening the curve in our region.”

Updated health and safety procedures at ELM’s facilities in Monroe and Stamford, Connecticut, include increased sanitation technologies, adequate PPE, hygiene and communications protocols, protective dividers between workstations and in truck cabs, and physical distancing to reduce risk of contagion.

This month, the team at ELM’s Monroe facility is celebrating a major milestone: 365 days incident free.  “That’s 55,000 hours, if we count seasonal crews,” said Branch Manager, Greg Gross. “In any year, it’s an impressive safety metric. In a year with as many disruptions as this one, it’s an achievement worthy of a special celebration,” he added.

So, what’s ELM’s secret to safety success?  “We empower our employees by bringing their ideas to the conversation.  They’re out there every day often under demanding circumstances and they know what’s needed to perform, how to determine and assess the best approaches and work practices, and how to keep their teams and their worksites safe,” said Greg.ELM promotes a proactive approach to safety through awareness, teamwork and training as a job requirement. 

To learn more about ELM’s culture of safety and performance, contact Bruce Moore Jr., at 203-316-5433, or bmoorejr@easternland.com

Thomas Tracy Joins ELM as Area Manager

It’s an exciting time at ELM as we continue to grow our platform of service excellence for commercial real estate professionals throughout greater New York Metro and Fairfield County, Connecticut. 

Assisting in this effort is our new Area Manager, Thomas C. (Tommy) Tracy, a twelve-year veteran of the commercial landscape industry. 

“Finding the right team players is key,” said ELM President, Bruce Moore Jr., “We’re always looking for high-energy people who can create and deliver memorable value. We know there’s a lot riding on customer experience and Tommy checks off all the boxes: he’s passionate about making meaningful contributions to our clients’ success, is aligned on core values, and brings complementary strengths that will support our people-first culture.” 

As ELM increases its range of services and capacity, customer advocacy remains its competitive advantage. With its goal to stay strong as it grows, remaining customer-centric will continue to underscore what makes ELM a great company to work with and a great company to work at.

A native of Naples, Florida and raised in Bedminster, New Jersey, Tommy attended Seton Hall Prep, Bernard’s High School, and New England College prior to graduating from Rutgers University’s premier Golf Course Turf Management program.  

To learn more about ELM’s 2020 exceptional service experience and why the firm is an Employer of Choice, contact President, Bruce Moore Jr., 203-316-5433.

Be Prepared, Be Safe, Be Proactive: Cold Weather Tips from the ELM Snow Pros

We New Englanders love the beauty of winter. But from Snowmageddon to SNOMG, there’s little to love when hazardous conditions, sub-freezing temps, and personal and property health and safety are at risk.

Our snow pros offer the following guidelines for commercial building tenants, patrons and employees to minimize risk and injury:

  • Snow/ice programs treat parking lots and pathways to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. Be aware that snow and ice will likely exist in parking lots even when sidewalks have been cleared and deiced.
  • During sub-freezing weather, thawing and refreezing can occur following snow and ice clearing. Assume ice exists and take caution if temps fall below freezing.
  • Don’t assume that what appears to be cleared is slip-free. Black ice can form after snow is cleared and may even be hard to see, making it even more dangerous. Wear appropriate footwear with heavy treads for increased traction. 
  • Be aware of changes in walking surfaces. Many falls are caused when transitioning from non-slippery surfaces to slippery ones. 
  • Step down and not out when getting out of vehicles. Swing both legs out. Place both feet on the ground and use hands for support.
  • Focus on your footing. Watch where you walk. Concentrate on getting from point A to point B safely.
  • Free up your hands. Use a carrying case with a shoulder or cross-body strap for laptops and files.
  • Avoid carrying heavy loads that may compromise your balance.
  • Don’t use your cell phone or otherwise multi-task while walking to or from parking lots or when using stairs.
  • Use handrails on stairways and don’t rush.
  • Walk using short, slow steps.
  • Step down off curbs, not out. Landing on your heel first instead of flat-footed can cause a fall.
  • Use authorized paths. If it’s not cleared of snow, don’t use it. No shortcuts.
  • Report unsafe conditions to a supervisor, maintenance manager, or snow professional immediately.

ELM is a long-standing member of SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association) and ASCA (Accredited Snow Contractors of America), and actively participates in training and credential programs to advance its professionalism, reliability and expertise in snow, ice and winter management.  

ELM’s founder and CEO Bruce Moore Sr. received the Snow Magazine Leadership Award in 2018 for leading the company’s reputation for continued excellence in winter management.

To learn more about winter services for your commercial property, contact Bruce Moore Jr. at 203-316-5433.

2019 Year-End Awards Announced

As part of its commitment to be a great place to work , ELM has a long-standing tradition of recognizing the efforts, accomplishments and contributions that reflect our company’s values, mission and goals. There are a whole lot of reasons why we think all-team high fives matter, but put simply, rewarding achievements at every level is the cornerstone of our supportive, win-win culture.

This year’s branch holiday parties honored our coworkers for their leadership, advancement and learning. We recognized service milestones, professional training, safety records, and teammates who’ve had a measurable impact on company performance.

Please join us in congratulating:

  • Jean Thoby – South Branch Impact Award
  • Andrew Zimmerman – North Branch Impact Award
  • Erlindo Lima – South Branch Employee of the Year
  • Milton Galeas – North Branch Employee of the Year
  • Hector Ruiz – North Branch Safety Award
  • Chris Smith – SIMA Field Training Certificate
  • Tom Siros – SIMA Field Operations Training Certificate
  • Hector Ruiz – NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  • Mario Martinez – NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  • Marvin Gonzalez – NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  • Roberto Chuquiano – NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  • Rolando Contreras – NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  • Marvin Galvez – Rising Star Award (photo)
  • Jose Orellana – 15 Years of Service Award
  • Jamie Rivera – 5 Year Service Award
  • Luis Ladero – 5 Year Service Award
  • Yair Pena – 5 Year Service Award

Are you awesome? Come join our team!

Contact Bruce Moore Jr. at 203-316-5433, or go to open job positions and apply via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EasternLandManagement/

Marc Angarano to Lead ELM’s Strategic Client Relations

Eastern Land Management today announced Marc Angarano has joined its team as a strategic client relations manager and growth specialist. 

In his new role, Marc will help ELM’s commercial real estate clients maximize their landscape service and performance portfolio.

“We’re pleased to welcome Marc to ELM,” President Bruce Moore Jr., said. “He’s a highly talented and respected professional within the green industry, and his insights and expertise will be invaluable as we identify areas for continued growth.”

Previously, Marc served as a business development executive with BrightView; prior, he held account and operations management positions with The Brickman Group.

Marc attended Eastern Connecticut State University where he studied Communications and was a top performer on the university’s baseball team. When not driving growth for the landscape industry, Marc drives wins as a long-standing coach for the Brookfield High School football team.

“Marc’s passion for sustainability, and his knowledge of the property and facility management industry, makes him a great fit for our company as we continue to align our mission and operations to directly support our clients’ objectives,” added Bruce. 

Marc resides in Woodbury, CT, with his wife, Becca, 6-year old triplets, and an exuberant Australian Kelpie puppy.

Please join us in welcoming Marc and his family to the ELM family.

What Makes ELM a Truly Great Place to Work?

We found that in the forty plus years of doing business, we wouldn’t be a leader in the green industry without having an great team of employees who do amazing things.

We believe that a culture of enthusiasm is contagious. When people are happy at work, it can spread through the entire company and into our relationships with our communities and our clients. 

ELM is always looking for great people, talented people, and folks who take real joy in their jobs. We celebrate employees at every level who create solutions to help our business succeed and a have a willingness to lead by example.

If you are keen on being part of a strong team-building experience, and enjoy making our communities and our clients’ businesses healthier, happier places to live, work and play, give us a call.  We’re always looking for people like you.

Our employees tell us that working at ELM is a win-win.  Listen to what they have to say… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqhrLQ9kH6M

From the Commercial Centers of Metro New York to the Business Communities of Connecticut, ELMs Diversity of Capabilities is on Full Display

In a new corporate video launched today, the impact of ELM’s team mission shows how having a clear purpose and working together maximize our potential to deliver meaningful customer service.

When building teams, ELM seeks people who have great talent, energy and ambition, but also a blend of strengths, functional skills and the capacity to perform around aligned values. 

“Our new video reflects collaboration and choreography at the highest level,” said company president, Bruce Moore Jr. “Commitment to each other, to our clients, to our organization’s bigger picture, and to continued growth as professionals are characteristics of who we are as a company and as a brand.  As we’ve learned and practiced since our company’s founding more than 40 years ago, when we enhance each other, success will follow.”

Check out more meaningful customer service through teamwork video here: