Eastern Land Management acquires Contour Landscaping

Eastern Land Management, a second-generation company, has acquired Contour Landscaping.

Contour, founded in 1992 in Stamford, Connecticut, by Marty Devaney (left), will be rebranded as Contour Landscaping an Eastern Land Management (ELM Company.) Devaney will now be a branch manager.

The acquisition of Contour expands ELM’s footprint in Fairfield County and helps diversify the company’s customer base. “Contour is our first acquisition. Their considerable landscape maintenance expertise of community associations and, with combined resources of both of our companies, is a significant next step in our long-term vision to be the leading provider of commercial landscape services in Fairfield County,” says ELM President Bruce Moore Jr.

“Long before we joined the ELM team, we respected all they did in our community and for our profession,” Devaney says. “They’re an exceptional company and leaders in our market. We’re excited about this new chapter and working together to pave a new way forward.”

Stihl partnership enables NALP’s Roblox expansion

The Landscape Design Empire launched an updated version on Nov. 22, introducing a host of new features and gameplay elements.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation has partnered with Stihl to expand the foundation’s online learning experience, Landscape Design Empire, on the Roblox platform.

With sponsorship from Stihl, the Landscape Design Empire launched an updated version on Nov. 22, introducing a host of new features and gameplay elements, including a virtual Stihl dealership, on-avatar items, landscaping equipment, tools and vehicles, along with interactive quests and mini-games that showcase Stihl’s equipment. The update also includes new landscape jobs and plant options.

Since launching in March, the game has attracted over 57,000 unique players, with 70% of users aged 12 and under.

“Our goal with Landscape Design Empire has always been to connect young people with the world of landscaping in a way that’s fun, educational and inspiring,” says Jenn Myers, executive director of the NALP Foundation. “With STIHL’s support, we’re able to expand the game’s offerings, creating a more immersive and hands-on experience. This partnership is a tremendous step forward in our mission to build awareness and excitement around careers in this field.”

“Stihl is thrilled to partner with the NALP Foundation on this groundbreaking project. For more than 20 years Stihl has supported the development of the next generation of landscape professional through NALP’s National Collegiate Landscape Competition,” says Roger Phelps from Stihl.

“Through Landscape Design Empire, we are helping the profession connect with young people even earlier and in a way that inspires creativity, teamwork and a deeper understanding of the landscape profession. We’re proud to support the NALP Foundation in building another bridge to the future of our industry.”

Neighborly appoints new CMO

Neighborly, the parent company of The Grounds Guys, makes Stacy Lynn Bourgeois the CMO effective Dec. 2.

Neighborly, the parent company for The Grounds Guys, has appointed Stacy Lynn Bourgeois as its new chief marketing officer. She will serve as a member of Neighborly’s corporate leadership team and report directly to CEO Mike Davis.

The Grounds Guys ranked No. 24 on Lawn & Landscape's most recent Top 100 list.

“Stacy Lynn brings a wide array of experience in business and brand strategy, organizational leadership, customer insight, data analytics and marketing technology,” Davis says. “Her expertise and innovative approach to marketing will be instrumental in helping us better connect with our customers, differentiating our brands, making Neighborly and our service brands ridiculously easy to do business with while navigating an increasingly competitive landscape.”

She joins Neighborly from Amazon, where she broadened her scope from marketing to business more holistically in roles such as global head of product, quality & operations for Amazon Renewed or U.S. head of musical instruments.

“I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team at Neighborly and support our franchise owners,” Bourgeois says. “Customers invite Neighborly and our brands into their homes, which is deeply personal and requires tremendous trust. My goal is to earn this trust by listening to and innovating for customers in a way that builds lasting relationships with our amazing brands.”

Pleasant Landscapes names Kelly Slater as CEO

Slater has been with Pleasant Landscapes for over 15 years.

Pleasant Landscapes has promoted Kelly Slater to CEO.

Slater, who has been with Pleasant Landscapes for over 15 years, will spearhead the company’s transition to employee ownership and the creation of a multi-tier leadership team.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our people who helped build Pleasant Landscapes will have a stake in its future,” Slater says. “We’re building a leadership team and a junior leadership team to involve emerging leaders who are excited about our vision and ready to grow alongside our company.”

Pleasant Landscapes, which has served the Charleston area since 1991, has introduced an employee stock option program that offers stock shares to team members after five years of full-time employment. Currently, 11 shareholders participate in quarterly strategy meetings, discussing company successes and plans for reinvestment like green card sponsorships for H-2B employees.

Pleasant Landscapes currently has 56 employees and has serviced residential landscapes for over 33 years.

“Our goal is to foster excitement and ownership at every level,” Slater says. “Our leadership team isn’t about managing day-to-day operations; it’s about inspiring our team to see the big picture and take initiative.”

In addition to internal developments, Pleasant Landscapes is actively expanding its design-build and maintenance services, while implementing AI tools to enhance customer interactions and streamline administrative tasks. The company has also made strides in marketing, with Slater’s contributions recently earning her a finalist position for Landscape Leader of the Year.

As a local business, Pleasant Landscapes gives back to the community through its ongoing support of Lowcountry Orphan Relief. The company has worked to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in need by donating time, resources and funds to support the orphanage's mission. As Pleasant Landscapes continues to grow, Slater has rejected private equity buyouts in favor of building a legacy rooted in employee ownership and shared success.

Visterra Landscape Group acquires Full Care in St. Louis

The company will continue to operate as Full Care, a Visterra Partner Company, and be led by its founder, Nick Pelligreen, who will serve as senior vice president.

Visterra Landscape Group, a commercial landscaping platform, has acquired St. Louis-based Full Care, a regional provider of commercial landscaping and snow and ice removal services in greater St. Louis, Indianapolis and Louisville.

Financial terms were not disclosed, and the acquisition is effective immediately.

The acquisition of Full Care strengthens Visterra's Midwest footprint, enabling entry into the St. Louis commercial landscape market and adding new leadership and density to existing Visterra operations in Indianapolis and Louisville, Kentucky.

Full Care has operated for 30 years servicing commercial and estate care customers. By joining the Visterra family of partner companies, Visterra executives say Full Care will benefit from an award-winning safety program, optimized backend systems and operations, new career pathways for employees, reduced employee healthcare costs and improved marketing and communications.

The company will continue to operate as Full Care, a Visterra Partner Company, and be led by its founder, Nick Pelligreen, who will serve as senior vice president. Pelligreen founded Full Care in 1994, evolving from a local contractor to a multi-million-dollar provider of commercial and high-end residential landscaping and winter care services with branches in three states.

"We are truly excited to join the Visterra platform, enabling us to scale and grow, operate more efficiently and ensure the Full Care legacy endures," Pelligreen says. "We look forward to delivering seamless operations, doubling down on safety, providing an exceptional customer experience and ensuring the wellbeing of our employees — to that end — Visterra is a perfect fit."

"We are thrilled to welcome Nick and more than one hundred sixty Full Care employees to the Visterra family," says Visterra CEO Alan T. Handley

Aspire's parent company ServiceTitan launches IPO

ServiceTitan will offer an aggregate of 8.8 million shares of its Class A common stock to the public.

ServiceTitan, Aspire Software's parent company, has launched the roadshow for its proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

ServiceTitan has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to offer an aggregate of 8.8 million shares of its Class A common stock to the public. In addition, ServiceTitan intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,320,000 shares of its Class A common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The initial public offering price is expected to be between $52 and $57 per share. ServiceTitan has applied to list its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “TTAN.”

Goldman Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley will act as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. Wells Fargo Securities and Citigroup will act as additional book-running managers. KeyBanc Capital Markets, Truist Securities, Canaccord Genuity, Needham & Company, Piper Sandler, Stifel and William Blair will act as passive bookrunners. First Citizens Capital Securities, Academy Securities and Loop Capital Markets will act as co-managers.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, New York, New York 10014, or email: prospectus@morganstanley.com.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

Mariani Premier Group acquires Back to Nature Home & Garden

Founded in 1994 by Anthony and Maria Sblendorio and headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Back to Nature brings over 30 years of expertise to Mariani.

The Mariani Premier Group has added Back to Nature Home & Garden, a design/build landscape architecture firm based in New Jersey.

The firm has completed projects throughout the greater New York Metro area including parts of New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. This move will expand MPG’s portfolio of 22 landscaping companies across the U.S. like Siciliano Landscape Company and Designs by Sundown.

Founded in 1994 by Anthony and Maria Sblendorio and headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Back to Nature brings over 30 years of expertise to Mariani.

"On behalf of the entire MPG team, I am thrilled to welcome Back to Nature Home & Garden into our family," says Bryan Christiansen, CEO of Mariani Premier Group. "Their dedication to sustainable landscaping, exceptional client service, and innovative garden center experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver unparalleled quality and value to clients across all of our markets.”

“We are thrilled to be joining the Mariani Premier Group. One of the many commonalities we share with our colleagues at Mariani is that we treat our team like family and their well-being is paramount to our success," says Anthony Sblendorio, founder and co-president of Back to Nature.