Ruppert Landscape has promoted Paul Pestun to vice president of business development in the company’s landscape construction division. The company also recently added Jeff Mullen as director of mergers and acquisitions and strategic finance.
PAUL PESTUN. Pestun holds a degree in landscape management from Montgomery College and is a platinum-level graduate of ABC's Leadership Development Program. He joined the company as an assistant field manager in 2012 with over 10 years of landscape construction experience.
After a few short months, he was promoted to the newly created position of assistant production manager and helped pilot that new level of management in the division. In 2014, he was promoted to business developer in the national landscape construction branch, during which time he developed sales opportunities in markets where Ruppert did not have a permanent physical presence. His efforts helped set new sales records with projects being sold in Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, and Lexington, Kentucky.
The following year, he was promoted to director of business development for the construction division, in which capacity he has collaborated closely with sales teams across various landscape construction branches, unifying sales efforts and ensuring consistency in approach. He also took charge of market research and cultivating strategic relationships with key stakeholders such as owners, developers, general contractors, and landscape architects. His newest position will be an expansion of these responsibilities, with an added focus on strategic planning and financial analysis.
“In the last decade, Paul has made a lasting impact on the division through his innovative approach to sales, consistently streamlining our processes and forging pivotal connections within the construction industry,” says Bob Jones, president of the landscape construction division. “We look forward to the continued success and growth that his expertise and leadership will undoubtedly bring to the company.”
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JEFF MULLEN. Mullen brings over 15 years of progressive experience in the financial services industry. Immediately prior to joining Ruppert, he served as senior vice president of investment banking with Jefferies, where he focused on executing M&A transactions. He holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Ruppert’s strategy now includes growth through partnering with high-quality companies in addition to maintaining a long-term track record of strong organic growth. Jeff will play a pivotal leadership role in the company’s M&A plans, including identifying potential target companies, evaluating strategic fit, financial modeling, negotiating terms, conducting due diligence, contracting, and integration.
“We are confident Jeff’s expertise and team approach positions him to be a valuable asset and contributor to our company,” says Eric Scheinerman, Ruppert’s chief financial officer.