Jody Shilan is stepping down as executive director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) to “focus his energies working as an industry consultant, speaker and writer on a full-time basis,” according to a press release. Shilan, an LM Editorial Advisory Board member who writes a membership-based website FromDesign2Build.com, says that under his direction the organization became “a more professional, more social and politically active association,” and grew in both “members and stature.” “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that I have achieved as both a past president of the NJLCA and its executive director,” he says. “However, the requests for private consulting, public speaking and sales webinars have grown so significantly that I knew I had to refocus my efforts and make some decisions.”
Unique Lighting Systems, a division of The Toro Co., promoted Burnett Jones to the role of senior marketing manager. Jones has been with Toro for 10 years and spent the last three leading the marketing team for its residential/commercial irrigation business. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona and a master’s from the University of Michigan in Dearborn.
The Toro Co. promoted Orion Goe to marketing manager for the company’s residential/commercial irrigation business. Goe, who has been with the company for two years, joined Toro as a product marketing manager for residential/commercial projects. He holds a bachelor’s in English from California State University—Fullerton and an MBA from University of Redlands.
Takeuchi-US appointed Scott Place to director of national accounts. Place has more than 20 years of experience managing rental locations and dealer locations.
Cool Planet, an agricultural technology company, hired Owen Towne to lead the company’s turf, nursery and ornamental business. Over his two decades of experience in the green industry, Towne has worked for companies like Ciba-Geigy/Novartis, Griffin and United Phosphorous. He also founded Phoenix Environmental Care.
Ewing’s Vice President of Sustainability Warren Gorowitz was elected to the Green Building Initiative (GBI) board of directors for a three-year term. The GBI works to “accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings.” Its board is made up of industry leaders from nongovernmental organizations, companies, architectural firms and academic institutions that provide direction to the GBI staff. Gorowitz has been with Ewing for more than 20 years.
The Davey Tree Expert Co. promoted Geoff Cowan to operations manager of the company’s Chicago-based residential/commercial north-central operations. After joining Davey in 1983, Cowan held several positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as market manager of the West Chicago operating group. Cowan is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, a past member of the Davey President’s Council and a graduate of the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences.
Davey also promoted Jim Houston to vice president and general manager of the company’s Eastern U.S. residential/commercial operations. Houston, who has 32 years of experience in the green industry, started with Davey in 1992 as a trimmer in the west Cleveland, Ohio, office. Since, he’s held a slew of positions, including district manager and operations manager. He is a graduate of the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences and a past member of the Davey President’s Council and an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.
The Davey Tree Surgery Co., a subsidiary of Davey Tree, promoted Kevin Peters to vice president of operations. Peters, who joined Davey in 2008, has more than 29 years of experience in arboriculture, most recently serving as vice president of U.S. residential/commercial services. In addition to various industry memberships and qualifications, he is an International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist and a past member of the Davey President’s Council.
