2nd Interview with Dave Hanson, Executive Vice President of Sperber Landscape Companies
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Release Date: 08/27/2025
Interview with Travis Luther, Founder of MOSO Black
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Travis Luther is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business coach who has built and sold multiple successful companies across industries ranging from legal technology to consumer products. He is the founder of MOSO Pillow, a performance sleep brand featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and the former owner of Queen Anne Pillow and TrialLine. Over the past two decades, Travis has led teams in marketing, brand strategy, and product development, helping businesses scale through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven growth. He also served as President of...
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Interview with J.T. Price, CEO of Landscape Workshop
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
J. T. Price is the CEO of Landscape Workshop, one of the leading commercial landscape maintenance firms in the Southern United States. Since taking the helm in 2014, J. T. has led the company through explosive growth—driving a 65X increase in equity value and growing the team to nearly 2,000 employees. With a background that includes time at McKinsey & Company, roles in private equity, and extensive operational leadership, J. T. brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and practical execution. He’s deeply committed to making Landscape Workshop the premier destination in the Green...
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Interview with Ed Jensen, Vice President of OLM, Inc.
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Ed Jensen has dedicated more than 44 years to the landscape industry, building a career that spans hands-on fieldwork, high-level management, and nationwide consulting. He began as a landscape contractor, later moving into a management role with a real estate company before joining OLM, Inc., where he has spent over 36 years. At OLM, Ed has played a vital role in developing comprehensive landscape maintenance specifications, overseeing the competitive bidding process for landscape contracts, and conducting monthly quality-control site inspections. His expertise extends across diverse...
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Interview with Doug Bonnell, Owner of TruNorth Landscaping
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Doug Bonnell's journey in the landscaping industry began at an early age—sweeping garages and cleaning offices before he was even a teenager. After spending his high school summers working in the field, Doug went on to earn an engineering degree and spent several years in the automotive industry. In 2021, Doug received an unexpected call from his father with an opportunity that would change everything: a chance to join the family business, TruNorth Landscaping, based in Traverse City, Michigan. After thoughtful consideration, Doug and his wife decided to uproot their lives, leave behind...
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Interview with Klark Larrieu, COO of KC Landscape
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
With over 20 years of experience in the landscape industry, Klark brings a deep understanding of every facet of the business—from maintenance and installations to account management and strategic leadership. Having worked in Tulsa, OK, Oklahoma City, OK, and Raleigh, NC, Klark has built a reputation for operational excellence and a people-first mindset. Since 2010, Klark has served on leadership and executive teams, developing a strong acumen for analyzing P&L reports and helping drive company decisions rooted in data and efficiency. What drives Klark most, though, are...
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Interview with Marcus Hemington, CEO of Hemington Landscape Services, Inc.
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Marcus Hemington serves as the CEO of Hemington Landscape Services, a family-owned second-generation commercial landscaping firm founded in 1983 and based in Cameron Park, California. Under Marcus’s leadership the company has expanded while upholding its core values and customer-centric principles. The company specializes exclusively in commercial landscape and concrete construction within the Sacramento region. Hemington's mission is both simple and profound: to create environments that make life better. Marcus firmly believes that landscapes have the power to improve not only the lives of...
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Interview with Frank Annino, President of Maintenance Services at Sperber Landscape Companies
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Frank Annino's career in the landscaping industry is a testament to his dedication and passion for the field. Growing up in the construction industry, Frank always knew that being in the field was where he wanted to be. He pursued a college degree in business management with an emphasis on organizational behavior, which laid the foundation for his professional journey. After college, Frank ran a landscape nursery in Thousand Oaks for three years, where he honed his leadership skills and gained invaluable knowledge in selling, managing P&L, and understanding plant materials, chemicals, and...
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Interview with Nina Mason, Content Director at 44Group
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Nina Mason is content director at 44Group, an events and media company that is primarily rooted in the horticulture sector. It is the creator of esteemed B2B magazines, starting with Pro Landscaper in the UK in 2011―a brand that has grown into a community of landscape contractors and designers and other industry professionals. Its dynamic approach, encompassing numerous channels, has been instrumental in connecting all parts of the landscaping industry across the country. Earlier this year, 44Group brought the brand across the pond with the launch of Pro Landscaper USA, a monthly magazine...
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Interview with Michael Tomaino, Owner of Landcrafters Florida, and Chad Diller, CEO of Landscape Leadership
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Michael Tomaino is the Founder and “Head Gardener” of Landcrafters, a premier landscape design-build and maintenance firm based in Tampa Bay. Under his leadership, Landcrafters has grown into a $6M+ operation known for combining precision horticulture, design excellence, and disciplined business systems to serve some of Florida’s most discerning residential and commercial clients. Drawing on nearly a decade in the landscape industry, Michael has built a culture that blends creative craftsmanship with data-driven execution. He’s passionate about helping his team scale sustainably,...
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Interview with Adam Linnemann, Founder & President of Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, Inc.
The Commercial Landscaper Podcast
Adam Linnemann is the founder and CEO of The Green Executive, a landscape industry peer group and consulting firm. With over 31 years of landscape industry experience, Adam has grown his nationally recognized landscape company, Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, Inc. from the bottom up. Starting at the young age of just 14 years old, Adam has grown his lawn and landscape company from 1 to over 25 employees and is experienced in small landscape business acquisitions, strategic planning and marketing. His strengths include goal setting and accountability, organization of...
info_outlineI am an Honors Graduate from UC Davis in Environmental Horticulture.
Started my career on the end of a water hose in a retail nursery in 1968.
After graduating I joined the UC Cooperative Extension Service as Farm Advisor for San Francisco and San Mateo Counties where I specialized in weed control in turf and landscapes and high use athletic turf.
In 1980 I joined ChemLawn Corporation as Technical Services Manager for the western United States. We opened a number of branches over the next seven years growing revenues from just over one million dollars to twenty three million. Saw the real opportunity for growth in landscape maintenance services.
Joined Industrial Landscape Services in 1986 as an Account Manager and led the enhancement team as well.
On March first 1989 I joined Environmental Care in Calabasas as Technical Services Manager. In 1992 was promoted to Regional Manager for NorCal and SVP in 1997 taking over the western US maintenance operations.
Grew from 24 branches to 55 over the next 17 years until the merger with The Brickman Group in 2014.
Held various SVP roles with BrightView managing maintenance operations until 2021 when I joined Sperber Landscape Companies. Just completed two and a half year assignment managing maintenance operations on the Hawaiian Islands. Now working on special projects for the Sperber organization.