Bartlett Tree Experts promoted Local Managers Jeffery Kish and Erik Johnson to assistant division managers of the company’s Southeast and Metropolitan East Divisions, respectively.

Kish previously served as the local manager of Bartlett’s office in Raleigh, N.C. He will now assist Vice President and Division Manager Stephen Johnston in management of 11 offices in the Southeast, including two newly opened locations in southern Florida. He will focus on employee development and recruiting while supporting the company’s continued growth in this region.

In the metropolitan East division, Johnson will be working closely with Vice President and Division Manager David McMaster to manage eight offices. Under Johnson’s leadership as Local Manager of the York and Lancaster, Pa., locations, these offices received their first company award for excellence in safe work practices.

Both Kish and Johnson are ISA Certified Arborists with extensive experience in the tree care industry.

“It is so rewarding when you have the opportunity to expand the responsibilities of team members that are excelling,” said James Ingram, president and COO of Bartlett Tree Experts. “Jeff and Erik have shown their ability to effectively manage operations and employee development. I am confident they will bring energy and leadership to their new roles.”

Ruppert Landscape promoted Mike Felts to the newly created position of corporate administrative manager and Sean Davitt to the position of branch manager in its Maryland landscape construction branch.

“We created the corporate administrative manager position in an effort to better position our company for continued growth and development and to support departmental and divisional initiatives,” said President Phil Key. “We believe this position will be a tremendous asset in providing additional support to help us meet our goals.”

Felts has held numerous positions during his seven years with the company, including estimator, production manager, operations manager and most recently as branch manager in its Maryland landscape construction branch. Prior to joining Ruppert, he held positions as a partner in a general contracting company in North Carolina, a small business financial advisor and served six years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, deployed to Afghanistan for two of those years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech.

In his new role, Felts will be responsible for planning and directing administrative, financial and operational activities. He will be working closely with the company president to assist in managing corporate departments and their initiatives, executing the five-year plan, prioritizing inquiries and determining proper course of action, and providing operational support in areas such as sales, collections and acquisitions as needed.

Sean Davitt has been tapped to fill Felts’ role as branch manager in the Maryland landscape construction branch. Davitt officially joined the company in 2010 as an estimator after having spent several summers as an intern learning the business from the ground up. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from West Virginia University and is OSHA 30, an outreach and voluntary training program provided by the Occupational Safety Health Administration, certified. Additionally, he is a platinum-level graduate of ABC Metro’s Leadership Development Program and has completed the Grinnell Leadership Jumpstart Program.

In other Ruppert news, the company promoted Dave Sharry to branch manager. In his new role, Sharry will oversee the company’s new branch in Richmond, Va..

Sharry has more than 26 years of green industry experience and is a Marine Reserve Veteran. He joined the company in 2011 as an area manager and has since been instrumental in the growth and success of the Richmond branch.

“Dave’s promotion comes on the heels of his successful completion of our Associate Branch Manager Program, a leadership development program which provides the opportunity for midlevel managers to learn, gain experience and grow as leaders,” said Kevin Hazelgrove, region manager. “He excelled in his training, which—along with his strong operational and leadership abilities—makes him the ideal candidate to fill the branch manager position in this newly created branch.”

As branch manager, he will be responsible for the overall welfare of the branch, including the safety and development of his team, strategic planning and budgeting, training and day-to-day operations.

Photos: Bartlett Tree Experts