New Care of Trees CFO Versed in Acquisition Restructuring

Michelle Leissner. Photo: The Care of Trees

WHEELING, Ill. – Michelle Leissner, a certified public accountant with nearly 15 years of experience, has been named chief financial officer of The Care of Trees. Among the positions she held before joining The Care of Trees was director of finance for Pactiv’s North America protective packaging division, where her duties included integrating three acquisitions and centralizing the finance function.
 
“Michelle is poised to play a key role at The Care of Trees as we continue to grow nationally through mergers and acquisitions,” said Scott Jamieson, president and CEO of The Care of Trees. “She has the depth of experience in financial management and planning and the leadership skills that will help enhance our position in the marketplace.”
 
Leissner spent three years at Solo Cup Co., first as director of analysis and accounting, then as vice president of finance, before becoming part of The Care of Trees team. Her duties included heading the finance-integration team following the acquisition of Sweetheart Cup Co., a move that made Solo Cup a $2.2 billion company. She also restructured the accounting and financial analysis departments, resulting in more effective and efficient operations.
 
Leissner began her career at Price Waterhouse, where she was among few staff accountants selected for early promotion to senior accountant after two years at the organization. She went on to lead financial operations for companies ranging from $100 million to $850 million in revenues.
 
She has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and is a member of the Illinois CPA Society. She is also an active volunteer with the Les Turner ALS foundation.
 
The Care of Trees family of companies is an award-winning organization that provides total tree care for residential, commercial, institutional and municipal properties. One of the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned arboricultural firms in the nation, it has more than 500 employees and serves more than 60,000 clients. The Care of Trees has divisions serving metropolitan Chicago; Washington, D.C.; New York; Philadelphia; and San Francisco. It is the exclusive tree care company for the American Horticultural Society. For employment opportunities at The Care of Trees, visit www.thecareoftrees.com.