People on the Move: Nassar takes on technical advisor role with Davey Institute; Aspire names several new employees; and more from Ruppert, Arborjet, SnowEx and TrucBrush

Manuel Nassar (Photo: Davey)

The Davey Tree Expert Co. appointed Manuel Nassar to technical advisor within the Davey Institute.

In his new role, Nassar will primarily support Davey’s Commercial Landscape Services (CLS) operations and other service lines as needed. He will be based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with responsibilities covering the Southeast, Texas and California regions.

“Manny’s extensive background in the landscape and horticultural industry allows him to see the practical challenges the field offices experience on a daily basis,” said A.D. Ali, manager of technical services, Davey Institute. “His depth of experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to the CLS service line and its clients.”

Nassar began his career with Davey in 2004 in Orlando, Fla., as an account manager for Davey’s Celebration CLS territory. He became the assistant branch manager for the Southeast Florida CLS territory in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2014 and was promoted to branch manager in 2018.

Nassar’s 30-plus years of experience with Davey, along with previous landscape management companies, includes the development of agronomic programs for lawn care, trees, shrubs, tropical plants and integrated pest management in Ohio and Florida.

He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, a certified pest control operator in lawn and ornamental plant care and a 2009 graduate of the Davey Institute of Grounds Management.

The Aspire Software Co. added several new employees to its team, including a senior system administrator, software developer, software implementation trainer, AspireCare specialist, quality assurance analyst and director of customer success.

Tish Hancy will take on the role of senior system administrator. In her new role, Hancy will be responsible for installing, maintaining and upgrading all network, server and computer equipment company wide. In addition, Tish also provides technical support to all Aspire employees.

Philip Knox joined the Aspire team as a software developer. Knox will be responsible for writing code and building/updating parts of the Aspire system to make it better.

Erin Hale has been selected as the new director of customer success. In this new role, Hale will lead the AspireCare customer support team and will be responsible for assessing and managing the satisfaction of Aspire’s customer base.

Cheryl Hall is taking on the role of software implementation trainer. Her job responsibilities will include project management, training and supporting Aspire clients in all areas of the software during their deployment, go-live and ongoing use.

James Steinlage has been named AspireCare specialist. His job responsibilities will include Aspire customer support and client interaction. His role is that of a problem solver, troubleshooter and trainer for issues and tickets pertaining to specific software features.

Scott Pennington joined the Aspire team as a quality assurance analyst. He has worked in the information technology field for more than three years, focusing primarily in quality assurance and technical support.

Ruppert Landscape promoted Ethan Brown to the position of branch manager in the company’s Alexandria, Va., landscape management branch.

Brown holds an associate degree in landscape and turf management and a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining the company, he gained 10 years of experience in the construction and excavation industries and two years of experience as an enhancement manager within the landscape industry. He joined Ruppert in 2016 as an area manager and quickly became known as an exceptional salesperson, leading the landscape management division in enhancement sales for a cumulative ten months over a two-year period. For the past year, he has assumed the position of associate branch manager in preparation to take on this larger role.

“Ethan has set a new standard with his sales achievements, which can only be accomplished through building strong customer relationships and providing exceptional service,” said Fred Key, region vice president in the company’s landscape management division. “We look forward to great accomplishments from Ethan and the Alexandria team in the years to come.”

Arborjet is expanding the the role of one of its veteran tree care professionals: Joe Aiken, regional technical manager for the Great Lakes region and Canada. Aiken has 30-plus years experience in the tree care industry.

Aiken’s expanded role will also include working with regional technical managers to identify locations that need training and working on conducting trials and photographing before and after sites to better establish the overall potential of Ecologel and Hydretain products throughout the market place.

“Joe Aiken has provided valuable insight to help guide a diverse set of clients with their plant health care decisions,” said Arborjet President and COO Russ Davis. “He shares the belief and goal of tree preservation and the importance of educating others on the benefit of environmentally sustainable solutions for maintaining and caring for the world’s urban forests.”

He will continue with this work as the official Arborjet university liaison – identifying the universities that are impactful in setting procedure and policy around trees/shrubs/pests and working to develop relationships, trials, guest speaker opportunities and instructional and training opportunities — and his support of Arborjet’s research department

Joe Aiken is a founding member of the Arboriculture Society of the Michigan Foundation and curator of the Arboriculture Historical Society. He joined the Arborjet team in 2001.

SnowEx has named Tracey Fischer-Gaetz its new sales manager. In her new position, Fischer-Gaetz will be responsible for overseeing all sales-related activities within the SnowEx brand and directing a team of regional sales managers.

A graduate of the Clemson University College of Business, Fischer-Gaetz is an experienced sales professional and leader with a proven track record in the tire industry. Her skill set and experience translate well into the snow and ice management industry and the duties of the SnowEx sales manager position.

TrucBrush Corp. Vice President Debora Babin Katz was inducted to the board of the Snow & Ice Management Association, effective Jan. 1.

She will serve as an industry supplier member director for a three-year term with an optional three-year second term. Founded in 1996, the Snow & Ice Management Association is North America’s trade association for professionals involved with the snow and ice industry including commercial and residential snow removal.

“I am honored to serve with such an ambitious group of professional snow service contractors in our industry and to continue to support an organization that is the go-to resource for snow and ice management,” said Debora Babin Katz.