BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Landscape Workshop, a commercial landscape company, recently announced key promotions and additions to its executive team.
Joe Socolof joins the company as chief operating officer. Socolof
comes to LW from Partners in Performance, where he was a director focused on
operational improvement of companies around the world and was managing director
of Partners in Performance America. Socolof has significant line management
experience and is an alumni of McKinsey & Company and the Fuqua School of
Business at Duke University, where he was honored as a Fuqua Scholar.
“I have worked with Joe multiple times over the last 22 years, I
know what he brings to the table – a passion for being the best combined with a
leadership style that is focused on developing people to be the best that they
can be,” said J.T. Price, CEO of Landscape Workshop. “Joe will help us build on the
progress we have made as we look to continue our growth while still maintaining
industry-leading customer service.”
Christianna Rudder has been promoted to chief financial officer. Rudder
joined the LW team in 2015 from M&T Bank and progressed through the ranks
from senior analyst to finance and operations manager to vice president of finance. She graduated magna cum
laude from Birmingham-Southern College with degrees in both economics and business administration.
“Christianna has earned this promotion through six years of high
performance, and has contributed mightily to our excellence in systems and
finance,” Price said. “In this new role, she will have greater impact by overseeing
IT, Supply Chain, and Marketing in addition to Finance.”
Paul Young is transitioning from COO to chief integration officer.
Since 2014, Young served as COO of Landscape Workshop and played a pivotal role
in the growth of LW from $18 million in revenue to over $50 million in revenue.
His new role as chief integration officer includes a focus on performing
operational due diligence and post-merger integration of acquisitions. Young is
an industry veteran and a graduate of Auburn University, where he was an
All-American swimmer.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the many contributions
of Paul Young,” said Price. “I am excited that we’ve been able to create this
new role for him which will allow him a better work/life balance while also
benefiting the Company by allowing Paul to do what he does best, which is coach
people and develop culture in newly acquired parts of the LW family.”
Meanwhile, Kerry Franks Early joins the LW team as vice president of finance.
Early comes to LW from BBVA Compass and has previously held positions at
Harbert Management Corporation and Ernst & Young. Early holds a degree in accounting magna cum laude and a Masters degree in tax accounting from the University
of Alabama, and is a CPA.
“Landscape Workshop is thrilled to welcome Kerry to our leadership
team. We believe that her technical expertise and experience will be crucial in
the next phase of growth for the organization,” said Christianna Rudder.
“These promotions and additions to our team are a statement of
intent by Landscape Workshop. With the support of our sponsor, Carousel Capital
Partners, we intend to continue growing and creating opportunities for our
people, while at the same time remaining laser focused on customer
satisfaction,” Price said. “Joe, Christianna, Paul, and Kerry all wake up every
morning thinking about how we can make Landscape Workshop better for our
customers and our employees. Combined with our other executive team members –
Bill Cobb, Mark Pettke, and Pam Blankenship – this group leads an elite team
that will drive us forward as we continue to create a great company.”
