Jeff Rausch of Daybreaker Landscapes won the 2019 Kickstart contest.Photo: Case
Daybreaker Landscapes, based in Union, Illinois, has been named the grand prize winner of Case Construction Equipment’s 2019 Kickstart Landscape Business Development contest.
Landscape contractors from across North America were invited to enter to win a suite of prizes that are designed to help improve their technical work and their business practices.
Case says Jeff Rausch of Daybreaker Landscapes was selected for his drive, his vision for the future of his business, his perseverance through challenges and his desire to learn and grow his business.
Daybreaker Landscapes specializes in landscape and hardscape installation, lawn care and snow removal.
“Jeff has the drive to take the tools provided by Kickstart and apply them in ways that will improve almost every aspect of his business,” says Michel Marchand, vice president – North America, Case Construction Equipment. “We’re confident he’ll take full advantage of this win and use it to improve his business and the community around him.”
As the grand prize winner of the contest, Daybreaker Landscapes will receive:
- A six-month lease on any Case compact track loader paired with a Case laser grading box with SiteControl.
- A yearlong consultation with Ken Thomas and Ben Gandy of Envisor Consulting.
- A full set of six Crusader Hammer Tools by Pave Tech, Inc.
- Fleet management consultation and recommendations from Case staff throughout 2019.
- Custom-branded Case apparel/uniforms for staff.
- Up to five passes to GIE+EXPO 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
“The package that Case has put together matching equipment with business consultation is exactly what I need at this stage in my business development,” Rausch says. “I started this business with no capital, no equipment – just a company name, a dream to be my own boss, and a strong desire for success. Winning Kickstart, and working with the guys at Envisor, will give me fresh insight into ways to run this business more efficiently and profitably. This package is what I need to build my business to the next level. I am extremely grateful to Case for selecting me and affording me this amazing opportunity!”
Landscapers who entered the contest answered basic questions about their operation and their business goals for the year ahead. To learn more about this contest, click here.
Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply expands its footprint in the Northeast
Ewing Franklin Lakes opened on March 1, 2019, and is located at 779 Susquehanna Ave., Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, 07417. This store opening comes after Ewing opened four other Northeast locations back-to-back.
“Ewing is dedicated to serving green industry professionals in the Northeast,” says Chris Rhodes, Ewing Franklin Lakes store manager. “We now have multiple locations for industry pros in the area, because we’re here as a resource for our customers. We have a well-stocked inventory, quick and reliable deliveries and a knowledgeable staff that can assist them with any questions they might have.”
Ewing will be hosting a series of grand opening events for its other Northeast/Mid-Atlantic locations for green industry professionals to attend.
- Ewing Gaithersburg, Maryland’s grand opening event is March 12
- Ewing Franklin Lakes, New Jersey’s grand opening event is March 19
- Ewing Ronkonkoma, New York’s grand opening event is April 2
- Ewing West Berlin, New Jersey’s grand opening event is April 16
- Ewing Tinton Falls, New Jersey’s grand opening event is April 17
“We’re excited to continue serving our customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic,” says Phil Kerchner, regional manager for Ewing’s Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. “Ewing’s culture is about partnering with our customers and helping them grow their businesses while having a lot of fun along the way, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Toro hosts Sit2Win sweepstakes for customers
But first, let me take a selfie. That’s how easy it is to enter for Toro’s Sit2Win sweepstakes.
Prizes will be award to three customers who submit photos of themselves sitting on a Toro zero-turn mower with the MyRIDE suspension system. Entering gives landscapers a chance to win one of three Toro mowers.
To enter to the Sit2Win sweepstakes, customers must visit a Toro dealer, take a selfie on a zero-turn with the MyRIDE suspension seat, upload it to the contest site and complete the online entry form. One entry is allowed per person per week during the sweepstakes.
The contest will run from now until June 3, 2019.
The sweepstakes is designed to give customers a chance to experience Toro’s MyRIDE suspension system, which has adjustable rear shocks, a suspended operator platform and a padded seat that all work together to reduce bumps and vibrations while mowing.
“To understand how comfortable the innovative MyRIDE suspension system is, you really have to sit on it and try it for yourself,” says Tom Werner, Toro marketing manager. “The Sit2Win giveaway is a fun way to get people to experience the comfort, and potentially win a brand-new mower in the process.”
A winner will be drawn in April for one 22-inch PoweReverse Personal Pace Smartstow high-wheel mower. Another winner will be drawn in May and they will receive a 30-inch TimeMaster Personal Pace mower. The grand prize, a 50-inch TimeCutter MX zero-turn with MyRIDE, will be awarded in June.
Houzz calls for entries for design and landscape architecture scholarships
Houzz, the home remodeling and design platform, is calling for entries for its Houzz Scholarships programs.
Four $2,500 scholarships are available in the categories of ‘Women in Architecture,’ ‘Residential Design,’ ‘Sustainable Residential Design’ and ‘Residential Construction Management.’ These scholarships are awarded biannually in the spring and fall and Houzz is currently accepting applications for fall 2019.
High school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students 17 years of age and older are encouraged to apply. Applicants will submit a brief essay on their design and architecture influences and are invited to create a professional student profile to showcase their portfolio of work.
“The students who applied for the Houzz Scholarship program provided insightful perspective on the future of the structures we call home,” says Liza Hausman, VP industry marketing at Houzz. “We are thrilled to support them as they continue their education and look forward to seeing their impact on our built environments.”
The deadline for the fall 2019 scholarships is June 30, 2019. Click here to apply for the scholarships.
Ruppert Landscape honors employees at annual awards banquet
Ruppert Landscape recognized its many employees at its annual awards banquet at the Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
“We are honored to highlight exceptional individuals throughout our organization whose superior efforts and skills have benefited our customers and our employees,” says Phil Key, company president. “We are truly proud of each of them and what they’ve accomplished.”
The Clyde Vadner Merit award is presented to those who have contributed continuous hard work that has helped shape the company. This year’s recipient is Angela Howes, the branch manager in the North Carolina landscape management branch, who has been with the company for over 15 years.
The Achievement award recognizes employees who made a significant contribution in 2018 through high-quality results. Collin Fitts, branch manager in the Gainesville, Virginia, landscape management branch, earned this award. He has been with the company for over seven years.
The Distinction award is given in appreciation for dedication and devotion to the company’s principles and ideals. Instead of honoring one person, Ruppert chose to recognize the team members of the Virginia landscape construction branch.
The Branch Impact awards are given to the employee whose outstanding dedication and contributions have made a positive impact on their individual branch. This year, there were 24 recipients:
- Robert Wallace (area manager), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Alexandria, Virginia, landscape management branch.
- Ariana Rizzo (business developer), a four-year employee, received the honor for the Baltimore, Maryland, landscape management branch.
- Alvaro Aleman (field manager), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, landscape management branch.
- Luis Carrillo (enhancement manager), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Charlotte, North Carolina, landscape management branch.
- Deborah Simon (branch administrator), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Washington, D.C. landscape management branch.
- Sean Leak (field manager), a three-year employee, received the honor for the Forestville, Maryland, landscape management branch.
- Charles Boxall (shop manager), a nine-year employee, received the honor for the Frederick, Maryland, landscape management branch.
- Matthew Chavonelle (area manager), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Fredericksburg, Virginia, landscape management branch.
- Joe Beretz (area manager), a 10-year employee, received the honor for the Gainesville, Virginia, landscape management branch.
- Logan Eschbach (area manager), a two-year employee, received the honor for the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, landscape management branch.
- José Orlando Amaya (field manager), a two-year employee, received the honor for the Laytonsville, Maryland, landscape management branch.
- Karen Martinez (assistant branch administrator), a 10-month employee, received the honor for the Lilburn, Georgia, landscape management branch.
- Peter Nakelski (area manager), a one-year employee, received the honor for the Mableton, Georgia, landscape management branch.
- Kevin Wetzonis (enhancement manager), a 15-year employee, received the honor for the Raleigh, North Carolina, landscape management branch.
- Matt Jones (irrigation manager), a six-year employee, received the honor for the northern Richmond, Virginia, landscape management branch.
- David Hensel (area manager), a two-year employee, received the honor for the southern Richmond, Virginia, landscape management branch.
- Brian Kinsella (enhancement manager), a 10-year employee, received the honor for the Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, landscape management branch.
- Jason Jenkins (area manager), a two-year employee, received the honor for the White Marsh, Maryland, landscape management branch.
- Paulina Santamaria (branch administrator), a 13-year employee, received the honor for the Georgia landscape construction branch.
- Casey Cook (production manager), a two-year employee, received the honor for the Maryland landscape construction branch.
- Blake Smith (senior field manager), a four-year employee, received the honor for the North Carolina landscape construction branch.
- Chip Herring (field manager), an 11-year employee, received the honor for the Texas landscape construction branch.
- Edwin Reyes (senior field manager), an eight-year employee, received the honor for the Virginia landscape construction branch.
- Paul Pestun (director of business development), a six-year employee, received the honor for the corporate office.
There were 24 recipients of the Branch Impact award.Photo: Ruppert Landscape
