People on the Move: Davey Tree’s board of directors sees changes; Buyers Products names new director of sales; and more from Ecologel Solutions, Ruppert Landscape and Morbark

Alejandra Evans (Photo: Davey Tree Expert Co.)

John E. Warfel announced his retirement from The Davey Tree Expert Co.’s board of directors. Warfel retired in May following 11 years of service on the board.

Warfel served on the board’s audit, compensation and governance committees during his tenure. For the last nine years, he served as chairman of the governance committee. He is owner of Warfel Group, a business coaching franchise, and president of Warfel Enterprises, a consulting company. Prior to joining Westfield Financial Corporation Warfel was vice chairman and president of Oswald Companies from 1975 to 2002.

“John’s personality and many contributions will be fondly remembered,” Warnke said. “He has been truly engaged with the company and the board. His perspective has set well with the employee-owners.”

Alejandra Evans was elected to the board of directors of The Davey Tree Expert Co.

Evans is the senior vice president, risk management, at USI Insurance Services. Evans joined USI (previously Wells Fargo Insurance) in 2014. Prior to joining USI, Evans was a managing director in Aon’s Global Construction Practice from 2008 to 2014. From 2003 to 2008, Evans was a sales leader for Wachovia Insurance Services. Prior to 2003, she held various positions with property and casualty insurance brokerage firms.

Evans attends the Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business. She also served as the president of the board of directors for a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., called Suited for Change in 2009. Evans frequently presents for insurance and business associations on topics such as contractual risk transfer, risk management 101, builder’s risk, public-private partnerships, risk assessment, leadership and many other topics.

Buyers Products named Bryan Burckart as its new director of sales for snow and ice equipment.

Burckart will focus on developing, supporting and promoting Buyers’ snow and ice management brands (SnowDogg plows, SaltDogg spreaders and anti-ice systems and ScoopDogg pushers). His two decades of experience in the snow and ice control industry will help guide product development, build and manage distributor relationships and optimize brand image and awareness. Burckart earned his executive MBA from Benedictine University.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan to the Buyers team,” said Dave Zelis, director of sales and marketing at Buyers. “Bryan is an industry expert. We are confident his leadership will help guide the continued growth of our winter equipment lines.”

Sarah Spatola, director of marketing at Ecologel Solutions, was inducted as the new secretary-treasurer for the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA).

FNGLA’s nominating committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Ed Bravo, recommended Spatola and other board officers for the 2019-20 term, which begins July 1. Elections took place June 22, during FNGLA’s Annual Convention. Founded in 1952, has 2,000 member businesses. Ecologel has been a member of FNGLA since 2008.

Spatola graduated with a BS in Marketing from the University of Central Florida. She joined Ecologel in 2009 and has played a key role in the company’s marketing and advertising programs. Spatola served as the 2018-2019 board representative for the FNGLA Allied Division and on the 2019-20 Budget Committee. She currently serves on the FNGLA Landscape Irrigation Committee. Spatola is a Class X alumna of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Ruppert Landscape welcomed Scott Schoffstall as regional irrigation manager in the company’s landscape management division.

Schoffstall graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor of science in business administration degree and is a 30-year green industry veteran. He is an active member of the Irrigation Association and is both a Certified Irrigation Technician and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. He brings a wealth of experience and diverse irrigation background spanning the commercial, residential and golf course market segments. Most recently, he managed irrigation operations across multiple branches for a large landscape organization in northern Virginia. He currently resides in Lovettsville, Va., with his family.

Morbark appointed Jason Showers to product manager, tree care products.

Showers will serve as the subject matter expert for all matters related to Morbark’s brush chipper equipment line. He more than 20 years of hands-on experience with the brush chipper equipment line. Before assuming this new position, he served as Morbark’s product manager for the company’s boxer equipment line of compact utility loaders and attachments and has been instrumental in developing and managing the product line’s network of distributors, manufacturing representatives and rental business. He has also worked in special projects, helping to facilitate the creation and liftoff of other new programs. He has been an active member of the Tree Care Industry Association where he now serves as a member of its board of directors.

Inside Sales Coordinator Mark Rau will now assume the duties of developing and managing the boxer equipment network of independent distributors, manufacturing representatives, as well as continuing to develop the company’s presence in the rental market. In the past, Rau has served as the company’s dealer development manager and has been with Morbark for 40 years.