Control Solutions, parent company of Quali-Pro, named Marie Knox director of product development. She’s been with the company for four years, previously serving as technical director for the pest control sales division, where she helped lead the research and development of Nimitz Pro G for Quali-Pro in turf. She has 17 years of experience in product development, sales and marketing, previously working for BASF, FMC and DuPont. Knox holds a master’s in nematology and turf and a bachelor’s in entomology and business.
PBI/Gordon added Brett Rieck to its sales team as Eastern regional manager. His industry experience includes many years working with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Rieck holds a bachelor’s in horticulture with a minor in chemistry from Cameron University.
LandCare promoted two team members to branch manager positions in its Northwest region. Lee Chidester was promoted to branch manager of the Portland South branch. Chidester joined LandCare in 1999 as a field manager. In 2004, he was promoted to account manager. Chidester attended Utah State University. Steven Maples was promoted to branch manager of the Seattle North branch. Maples has been in the industry since 2007 and joined LandCare, where he’s previously served as production manager and account manager, in 2008. He’s a licensed Washington State Pesticide Applicator.
Ruppert Landscape added two new employees to its Georgia landscape construction branch. John Butler was hired as project manager. He brings more than 17 years of industry experience, previously serving in several management positions. He holds a bachelor’s in ornamental, horticulture and landscape design from the University of Tennessee. Bryan Doran was hired as an estimator. He brings more than 35 years of industry experience, previously serving in project manager, estimator, turf manager and business developer roles. Doran holds a bachelor’s in ornamental horticulture from the University of Georgia.
Engage Agro, a producer of turf products, added two new employees. Ryan Ruckman was hired as regional manager for the California and Arizona areas. He has more than 30 years of experience in the agriculture industry. Jeff Benton was hired as manager of the Pacific Northwest region. Benton returns to the green industry after a career in pharmaceuticals.
