Richard “Ricky” Bevilacqua has been named ELM’s Director of Organizational Development.

In this newly created position, he will be responsible for overseeing ELM’s administrative function, creating and implementing ELM’s next generation operating practices, and driving strategies to digitally reimagine the way ELM does business.

“Employees want to work for digital leaders and customers seek businesses that have taken their game to a higher level,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., Vice President, Operations. “As ELM matures, we’re transforming our business for competitive advantage and leading this commitment from the top,” he added.

Ricky joined ELM in 2013, and has a dozen years in the green industry working in a variety of roles. He is a Certified Landscape Professional and an Advanced Snow Manager. “Ricky’s career trajectory, from local garden center to having a seat at the table, shows what can happen when people energize their careers through continuous learning,” noted Bruce.

Ricky’s one piece of advice to share with customers is to appreciate the complexities of the landscape as a dynamic thing. “Plants live, they breathe, they grow, they get sick and they die. As landscape professionals, it’s our job to make sure only the first three happen,” he says with typical good humor.

Originally from Westchester, New York, Ricky has become an avid fan of weekend life in Connecticut. His spare time finds him developing techniques and recipes to smoke meat while simultaneously, and often unsuccessfully, keeping his enthusiastic Golden Retriever, Charlie, from trying to help.

Please join us in congratulating Ricky on his well-deserved promotion.

Eastern Land Management is pleased to welcome Jeff Wilson to the position of Field Manager.

As Field Manager, Jeff helps with on-site client communications, pesticide applications, and landscape improvement projects.

“Since starting with ELM in November 2016, Jeff has become a valuable team member for projects of all sizes,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., ELM’s vice president, operations. “In less than a year, Jeff has grown to play an integral role in swift solutions that keep us ahead of the game and furthering our brand’s influence in the community,” he added.

A Greenwich, Connecticut native, Jeff turned his high school passion for landscaping into a career. Jeff had already been interested in plants and the outdoors so he knew a combination of the two was right up his alley.  After years gaining experience in the landscape services business, Jeff is in a position where he can help form internal strategy, be a resource for the community, and move customer service to the next level.

Jeff believes in constantly re-booting value. Or, as Jeff says: “If it’s good for customers, it’s good for us.”

Please join us in welcoming Jeff Wilson to the ELM family.

Eastern Land Management, an award-winning, full-service commercial landscape company located in Stamford, Connecticut, officially welcomes George P. Brown III to its team as area manager. George has seamlessly transitioned into the role, working closely with ELM’s senior management to build and maintain relationships and ensure that customer needs are promptly and expertly addressed.

George is an experienced landscape professional and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Cobleskill with a major in landscape contracting.

“As ELM assessed our customers’ needs and growing four-season services portfolio, we recognized the importance of bringing on additional expertise in customer service to keep our communications flowing and services seamless,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, operations. “George’s addition to our team has elevated our ability to manage accounts and deliverables in a more efficient, streamlined process and we are thrilled to have him on the team.”

A New York native, George resides in Manhattan and is a lifelong outdoor sports enthusiast, finding plenty of opportunities on weekends to pursue his passion for cycling. George credits his appreciation for land stewardship from growing up on a farm, and to his parents who instilled a respect for nature and hearty work ethic early on.

George says that the most important piece of farm wisdom he shares with his customers is to think of their landscapes in the context of plant lifecycles, and to plan ahead and budget for seasonal impacts and long term expectations.

“We are fortunate to have George on board,” noted Bruce. He never ceases to impress us with his exceptional drive and the ability to support our customers with respect and trust.”

Eastern Land Management, an award-winning, full-service commercial landscape company located in Stamford, Connecticut, anchors its mission to one thing: trust. “No one is going to buy from a person they don’t trust” is ELM’s guiding principle.

Charles Andrianus, an ELM area manager since 2014, walks the trust talk and has become an expert in the number one rule of trust building: be yourself.

“Everybody has, at some time or another, had a bad experience by someone trying to sell them something,” says Charles. “I know our customers are impatient with spin and it’s important for me to show real integrity so our customers know I’ve got their best interests at heart.”

A Stamford native, Charles is a SUNY Maritime College and Texas A&M Maritime Academy-trained merchant marine, and student of marine transportation and logistics. He also holds a 3rd Mates License from the U.S. Coast Guard, which is helpful, he says, to keep the ship of good service sailing in the right direction.

“Charles’ background in complex problem solving makes him a natural troubleshooter,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, operations. “Coupled with his positive attitude and willingness to help, he can turn a regular customer experience into an amazing one.” Charles has been on a career trajectory and has sprinted from enhancement crew leader to landscape management field manager to area manager all within two years. In the fall of 2016, Charles obtained supervisory certification to engage in commercial use of pesticides from the State of Connecticut, a responsibility that comes with particular emphasis in health, safety and deployment.

In his free time, Charles cultivates a home garden that is abuzz with pollinators. He shares his love of exotic foliage, forage plants and annual color with ELM customers and offers them this one piece of advice: to appreciate their landscape as a vibrant ecosystem, with workhorse pollinators, food chain plants and soil microorganisms all playing a vital role in the health and importance of daily life.

“Charles’ contributions will help transform ELM for the future,” says Bruce Moore. “We’re pleased to have him on our team and welcome his ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities.”

Under the executive leadership of ELM Branch Manager, Scott Distasio, operational excellence and positive customer approval ratings are critical front-line touchpoints.

“Scott’s strong, relevant leadership improves the success of our whole organization,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, ELM operations. “He helps us align quality and systems, and leverages new technologies and ideas to keep our services and approaches fresh.”

Scott joined ELM in 2014, with progressive technical and management experience in all major landscape disciplines, including design-build, horticulture, tree care, and advanced snow/ice management.

A Connecticut native, Scott began his landscape career with a local garden center when he was in high school. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Development from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, Scott worked in landscape services industry for fifteen years prior to joining ELM in 2014. When not overseeing landscape projects and making service more meaningful for customers, Scott spends his off hours renovating his home and garden.

When asked what one piece of advice he would give customers, Scott said the secret to lasting landscape success and return on investment is multi-year planning. “It all boils down to understanding what’s affecting value and providing an actionable plan to deliver it,” he noted.

“Scott is ambidextrous,” said Bruce Moore. “He can manage the branch organization while simultaneously making sure that our customers are better off for having invested their money with us. We’re proud to have him on our team.”

Local water agency and municipal officials have mandated that all outdoor watering with in-ground and above-ground landscape sprinklers will be restricted to two days a week, effective May 1. Drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand-held watering will continue to be allowed.

Towns impacted by the water conservation ordinance are Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford. Watering restrictions previously imposed on the town of Norwalk have been lifted.

ELM’s water conservation team recommends managing commercial landscapes for consistent water savings, reducing watering needs by strategic plant practices (mulching, soil amendments, hydrogels, and proactively managing moisture-stress symptoms), converting underutilized turf areas to meadows, and exploring alternative technologies for irrigating overall.

Aquarion Water Company customers with new lawns or plantings, or with large properties, may apply for a variance to the restrictions beginning May 1.

To file a variance for your property, learn more about how twice-weekly watering affects your property, or have a discussion with our irrigation specialists on water-saving practices for your landscape, please contact ELM Vice President, Operations, Bruce Moore, Jr. at 203-316-5433, bmoorejr@easternland.com.

“Create an environment for your people to grow, empower them to make decisions, recognize their achievements and the rest will fall into place.” Those are words of wisdom from ELM’s Vice President of Operations, Bruce Moore Jr. Recently, Bruce Jr. was featured in Landscape Management magazine’s Back Story. Read more and find out what inspired his passion for the business.

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