Personnel News: Aquascape, Cleary, Moore Landscapes, Ruppert Nurseries

Aquascape Names Chief Operating Officer

Colleen Heitzler was recently promoted from her position as Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer for Aquascape, Inc. in St. Charles, Ill. Heitzler will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations at Aquascape.

“Aquascape is a fantastic company with an exciting history of fast revenue growth, market development, and industry leadership. There is a lot of passion and talent on the team at Aquascape and it is a privilege to transition into an operational role,” Heitzler said. “Aquascape is committed to operational improvement and superior distribution. Leveraging our resources towards that goal is an exciting opportunity.”

Heitzler began her career at Aquascape in August of 2001. With a degree in accounting and a CPA certificate, Heitzler brings 17 years of experience working in privately-held, fast-growing entrepreneurial companies to her new job title.  Prior to joining Aquascape, Colleen was Chief Financial Officer for a distribution company, president of a chain of retail stores, and controller for a publishing company. 

“I am extremely excited about Colleen’s expanded leadership role at Aquascape. She is a highly respected leader and has been an outstanding CFO. I am charging her to improve the supply chain so we become a superior distribution company,” Aquascape President T.D. Decker said.

Cleary Hires Sales Representative

Cleary Chemical hired Josh Ogden as its new sales representative. Ogden will cover the Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Louisiana and Oklahoma territory.

Ogden holds a Bachelor's degree in history, political science and plan and soil science from
Middle Tennessee State University. He worked as an Assistant Superintendent on many courses in the south including TPC at Sawgrass. For the past six years, Josh worked for Trugreen Chemlawn in Florida and most recently as a Branch Manager in Dallas.

Odgen and his family live in Highland Village, Texas.

Moore Landscapes Hires Sales and Design Consultant

Jan Wemple has joined Northbrook, Ill.-based Moore Landscapes as the company’s first sales and design consultant, announced Brian Stanley, Moore’s chief operating officer. Wemple will develop the commercial landscaper’s new business outreach and help clients conceptualize landscape designs.

Wemple brings nearly ten years of landscaping sales and design experience to her new position. Most recently, she was the sales and design consultant for Lincolnshire, Ill.-based TruGreen Landcare, where she was named among the top ten rookie sales producers in the Midwest.

“Jan is the seasoned sales professional we need to aggressively grow our company,” Stanley said. “Her landscaping sales experience over the past decade is a great asset to us as we broaden our scope.”

Wemple said she took the new position because of Moore’s long-standing reputation as a customer-driven company.

“I wanted to be able to sell something that’s backed by the company’s actions, and Moore is an award-winning company known for its customer service,” she said.

Wemple said her goal is to increase Moore’s presence outside of Chicago to surrounding suburbs.

Prior to her tenure at TruGreen Landcare, Wemple served as a sales and design consultant for Initial Tropical Plant Services in Northbrook, Ill. She was named the “#1 Rookie” salesperson in the history of the company. She also earned accolades for her design expertise with an award from the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). Before that, Wemple was a sales and design consultant for Greens by White, Inc. in Lake Forest, Ill.

Her professional affiliations include membership in the International Facility Management Association and membership committee director for Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Suburban Chicago. She is also on the board of directors of Friends of Volo Bog.

Wemple graduated cum laude from Marygrove College in Detroit with a bachelor of arts in human ecology. She currently resides in Ingleside.

Familiar Face Returns to Run Ruppert's Landscape Management Division

Ruppert Nurseries announced the return of Shannon Berkheimer as Landscape Division Administrator in their corporate offices.

Berkheimer, an Ashton, Md. resident, was with Ruppert from 1994-1998, serving as an administrative assistant, and brings nine years of industry experience. In her new role, she is responsible for developing, producing and analyzing financial and performance reports, creating executive summaries of sales, as well as training and supporting the branch administrators at all locations.

“The return of Shannon Berkheimer to our team provides us the training continuity and strategic support we will need to achieve our goals as we continue to grow.” said Chris Davitt, president of Ruppert Nurseries.