Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for driving sales and business development functions for the Atlanta market
2. Prospect profitable commercial landscape maintenance opportunities
3. Build strong, long-lasting relationships with prospective and new clientele
4. Produce professionally-written proposals and communications for clientele and internal use
5. Review specification and contract documentation for each project

Requirements:

1. Associate’s Degree required and a Bachelor’s Degree preferred; relevant experience will be considered.
2. Proven sales and business development skills are required; green industry sales preferred.
3. Professional and effective written and verbal communication skills are a must.
4. Must be highly-motivated, sales-driven, client focused, and have excellent time management skills.

Piedmont Landscape offers a competitive salary along with an aggressive commission structure and a full benefit plan including medical, dental, 401K, PTO and vehicle allowance.

If you have parallel interests and attributes to those listed above, please submit your resume for consideration to careers@ylgsoutheast.com.

BUNNELL, Fla. – On June 24, 2011, Austin Outdoor, a Yellowstone Landscape Group company, expanded its Florida presence through a merger with Acorn Landscaping, a commercial landscape maintenance company headquartered in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  All members of the Acorn Landscaping team, including Founder Tom Krol, have joined Austin Outdoor, expanding resources and expertise for clients throughout the Southeast Florida region.

Bill Dellecker, president of Austin Outdoor, said, “This partnership was a strategic fit.  Acorn Landscaping has a similar focus as Austin Outdoor – to build lasting relationships with our clients, vendors, employees and community associations.  We look forward to working together to enhance the experience for everyone.”

Acorn Landscaping has been led by Krol since 2005.  He built the company through strong client loyalty and has been maintaining high-profile properties throughout St. Lucie County.  This acquisition allows Krol to focus on his main area of interest, which is managing field operations.  He will become a Senior Account Manager for the Austin Outdoor Southeast Florida district.

“Our philosophy at Acorn Landscaping has always been to grow at the right rate and in the right direction,” said Krol.  “Austin Outdoor was the right fit for our philosophy.”

This merger adds to Austin Outdoor’s Southeast Florida district, which has branch locations in Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach.  The Southeast Florida district is just one of Austin Outdoor’s four district locations.  The other districts include Northeast Florida, Central Florida and East Central Florida.

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 When Gridiron Capital-backed Yellowstone Landscape Group first debuted in 2008 with the acquisitions of Houston’s BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Atlanta’s Piedmont Landscape Contractors and Bunnell, FL’s Austin Outdoor, it had a specific focus:  “Create regional platforms that didn’t compete with Brickman and ValleyCrest on a national level but competed well with them in a tight geographic region.  Buy good brands in local markets and bring value to the table by creating infrastructure to accelerate and support organic growth and providing capital to do acquisitions,” explains Owen Tharrington, principal of private equity firm Gridiron.

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Robert Taylor, President of BIO, commented, “BIO’s maintenance division has been hard at work winning prestigious accounts in the Greater Houston area. By acquiring Agrilawn, we strengthened our existing team by gaining a roster of skilled operators who have successfully been serving their diversified portfolio of premier customers for almost 30 years. Our teams have integrated nicely and are already working together in our Southwest Houston branch. Nathan and his management team will continue to play a significant role within BIO.”

BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc., a GREEN and Sustainable Award-Winning Company, Acquires Lawn Maintenance Company in Dallas

Houston, Texas – On July 13, 2010, BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. (BIO), a Yellowstone Landscape Group company, expanded its Texas presence through the acquisition of Forest Hills Lawn Service, Inc. based in Dallas. Forest Hills Lawn Service, Inc. was established by Bob Ford, in 1975 as a lawn maintenance and landscaping company primarily focused on municipal and governmental accounts including the City of Dallas, the City of Rowlett, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Dallas Public Libraries.

Robert Taylor, President of BIO, commented, “BIO’s geographic footprint in Texas continues to grow rapidly. We felt that the next strategic branch for BIO should be in Northeast Texas. BIO’s maintenance division has been hard at work winning prestigious accounts in the Dallas area, so when we learned of the acquisition opportunity we knew it was a good fit. With the Forest Hills Lawn Service, Inc. acquisition, BIO gains valuable employees, a state of the art facility, and an equipment repair dealership business which allows BIO to bring additional value to customers. Ford will continue to play a significant role as an advisor while preparing for retirement. Craig Duttarer, a BIO employee with over 15 years of landscape industry experience, will become the onsite Dallas Branch Manager.”

Ford commented on the acquisition, “I feel good about the sale. Now I can be a part of a great organization while looking forward to a new stage in my life; more time for family, relaxation, and my other interests. I also look forward to helping BIO build their Dallas branch.”

Duttarer said, “I’m excited to play a part in expanding the BIO brand into North Texas. My focus for the upcoming year will be on strengthening relationships while enhancing customer service in the Dallas market.”

With the acquisition of Forest Hills Lawn Service, Inc., BIO now serves 21 counties with a combined workforce of over 500 professionals throughout Texas. The transaction marks the third addition to BIO over the last year. In October of 2009, BIO acquired Outdoor Environments, LLC; a Houston based commercial landscape maintenance company. In December of 2009, BIO acquired Texas Services, Ltd., a sustainable Tree Care focused lawn maintenance and landscape company in Houston. In May of 2010, BIO officially opened a maintenance branch in Beaumont. BIO operates multiple branches in the state of Texas.

About BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.

BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc., established in 1982, is a full service sustainable landscape contractor providing turnkey landscape services for a range of commercial, municipal, institutional, retail, athletic, medical, resort, and multi-family properties. Services include landscape maintenance, landscape installation, irrigation installation and maintenance, arbor care, athletic field construction, colorscaping and green programs. BIO staff consists of Licensed Irrigators, Licensed Drain Layers, a Certified Water Auditor, Licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers, Chemical Applicators, ISA Certified Arborists, Texas Certified Landscape Professionals and a LEED Accredited Professional.

A natural leader in the landscaping industry, BIO has established itself as a leading green advocate with its compost BIOtea program, organic BIOlife fertilizer and propane powered maintenance equipment. BIO’s green capacities were realized when it was chosen to install and maintain Shangri La Botanical Gardens, the first Platinum LEED certified job in the state of Texas. In 2010, BIO was recognized by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) as a Gold winner of the coveted Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) award for the Shangri La Botanical Gardens.

Additional green and sustainable services BIO offers include a green waste management program, recycling plant containers, utilizing drip and Smart irrigations systems for water conservation, fertigation, worm casting and organic soil amendments.

BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. is a philanthropic community leader, with staff serving on a variety of charitable committees. The company is involved with numerous industry related groups including the Greater Houston Partnership, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors, NAIOP, the Houston Apartment Association, Sports Turf Management Association and the Houston Gulf Coast Irrigation Association.

In April of 2008, BIO became a member of the Yellowstone Landscape Group, a leading national green and sustainable full service landscape management company.

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For more information about BIO please call (713) 462-8552 or visit www.biolandscape.com.

About Yellowstone Landscape Group

Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a national landscape leader dedicated to serving the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, institutional, resort, multi-family, HOA and estate markets. Yellowstone offers a comprehensive landscape service solution of green and sustainable practices with an emphasis on protecting, enhancing and increasing property values. Services include landscape maintenance, landscape installation, irrigation installation and maintenance, arbor care, athletic field construction and colorscaping. Yellowstone currently serves customers in Texas, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina with plans for substantial geographic expansion. By delivering best-in class horticultural and business practices, a highly skilled workforce, value-added pricing strategy and the scales of scope and efficiency the Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. provides its customers with a premium comprehensive service offering.

Yellowstone currently oversees three major operating subsidiaries: Austin Outdoor based in Florida, BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. based in Texas and Piedmont Landscape based in Georgia, making it the seventh largest full-service commercial landscape group in the United States. 

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Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com for more information.

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Houston, Texas – On December 31, 2009, BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. (BIO), a Yellowstone Landscape Group company, expanded its Texas presence through the acquisition of Texas Services, LTD. (Texas Services). Texas Services, a sustainable Tree Care focused Lawn Maintenance and Landscaping Company, is headquartered in Houston, Texas. They were founded in 1976 and currently provide services to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and the surrounding areas. Texas Services will now become the Tree Care Department of BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.

Robert Taylor, President of BIO, said, “Texas Services will further expand BIO’s geographic footprint by adding a stationed office in the growing Sugarland area while allowing us to offer an expanded portfolio of sustainable services, including Tree Care, to all of Texas. Jim Sivils, Jeff Hanawalt and Robert Jaynes, who were prior owners of Texas Services, will join BIO’s management staff in key roles. We welcome Jim, Jeff and Robert to the organization and are excited about this expansion. Texas Services brings a team of ISA certified professionals invested in the Tree Care business with a focus in customer service. BIO is honored to partner with this respected Houston icon.”

Jim Sivils, the former majority partner of Texas Services, is the new Strategic Accounts Business Developer for BIO. Sivils commented on the acquisition, “We are excited to join an organization with the same culture and commitment to customer service, safety and employee development. When companies with the same objectives are integrated the opportunities for customer and employee success along with organic growth are a certainty. We  are really impressed by the BIO/Yellowstone company structure and relationship, their team focused attitude, how most decisions are left in the operating company hands, the attention to customer needs versus company structure, and the additional benefits offered to Texas Services by becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of BIO. It is safe to say that the future of our company is much brighter and that our customers will continue to be placed first.”

With the addition of Texas Services, BIO now serves 15 counties with a combined workforce of 440 professionals throughout Central and Southeast Texas. The transaction marks the second addition to BIO in 2009. In October of 2009, BIO acquired Outdoor Environments; a Houston based commercial landscape maintenance company.   

About BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.

BIO, established in 1982, is a full service sustainable landscape contractor providing turnkey landscape services.  These services include landscape and irrigation installation, maintenance, tractor mowing, colorscaping, athletic fields, Tree Care and green programs.

A natural leader in the landscaping industry, BIO has established itself as a leading green advocate in the industry with its compost tea program, organic BIOLife fertilizer and propane powered maintenance equipment. BIO’s green capabilities were realized when it was chosen to install and maintain Shangri La Botanical Gardens, the first Platinum LEED certified job in the state of Texas.

BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. is active in the community, with staff serving on a variety of philanthropic committees along with industry related groups including The Greater Houston Partnership and Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. Other industry affiliations are with Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors, NAIOP, the Houston Apartment Association and the U.S. Green Building Council.

In April of 2008, BIO became a member of the Yellowstone Landscape Group, a national leading green and sustainable full service landscape management company.

For more information about BIO, please call (713) 462-8552 or visit www.biolandscape.com.

About Yellowstone Landscape Group

Yellowstone Landscape Group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a national landscape leader dedicated to serving the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, institutional, resort, multi-family and estate markets by offering a comprehensive service solution of green and sustainable practices with an emphasis on protecting, enhancing and increasing property values in a variety of geographic locations.  Yellowstone currently serves customers in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida with expansion plans already in place to increase its geographic footprint.  By delivering best-in class horticultural and business practices, a highly skilled workforce, value-added pricing strategy and the scales of scope and efficiency, the Yellowstone Landscape Group provides its customers with a premium comprehensive service offering. 

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Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com for more information.

Yellowstone Landscape Group acquires three companies to form a strong hold on the industry

In about a year’s time, Yellowstone Landscape Group of Dallas, Texas, went from total obscurity in the landscaping industry to climbing into the top 20 largest landscape companies based on revenues.

Gridiron Capital, LLC of New Canaan, Conn., is the private equity firm behind the formation of Yellowstone, previously known for manufacturing youth athletic equipment, aftermarket products and specialized industrial parts. So, why did they delve into the uncharted waters of the highly fragmented $50 billion landscape services industry?

For starters, Gridiron knew they could place their trust in a well-seasoned entrepreneur with a unique vision for the landscaping industry who could use his vast knowledge in business administration and business mergers. What’s more, this new CEO was to come full circle from when he was a kid in high school operating his own successful lawn care company.

“Yellowstone Landscape Group, the holding company, doesn’t profess to be an expert in the landscaping industry,” explains John Miller, the entrepreneurial CEO and green industry visionary for Gridiron. “Our three operating companies are the experts. What we offer is support in such areas as insurance, IT systems, financing and acquisitions. The operating companies share their expertise in their respective specialty areas with each other. Altogether, we prefer to look at it as shared business intelligence.”

This trio began as a duo first with BIO Landscape & Maintenance in Houston, Texas, and Piedmont Landscape Contractors in Atlanta, Ga., acquired in April 2008, immediately placing Yellowstone in the top 20. Then, Austin Outdoor in Bunnell, Fla., acquired eight months later, gained them an even firmer foothold in the top 20.

Today, Yellowstone is meeting projections with expectations of nine-figure revenues in the coming year. For now, it will be staying true to its key geographic markets in the Sunbelt states in, or near, their respective member’s headquarters of Florida, Georgia and Texas. Unique to the industry, its goal is to maintain a 60/40 mix of maintenance versus construction sales.

Yellowstone, unlike past landscaping industry merger and acquisition models, didn’t want to force its acquired companies into any common template. It recognized that their markets and customer bases were different, and each company’s management was proven.

A trio of acquisitions

Robert Taylor, founder of BIO, chose Yellowstone after prepping a couple of really good books for presentation purposes with several interested buyers. BIO began as a liquid fertilizer company in 1982. Since then, it has expanded and is recognized as a premiere landscape services company in the greater Houston area.

“Yellowstone fit my exit strategy perfectly,” Taylor explains. “I didn’t have a son or daughter to pass on the baton. I wanted my top managers to be protected and even benefit from any sale.”

As the most senior of the three partners, yet only in his early 50s, Taylor wasn’t ready to quit the business he loved running. Yellowstone had no problem with that. Beyond bringing in the important geographic market of east Texas, BIO’s expertise on large government contracts was attractive.

Now a partial owner of Yellowstone, Taylor and BIO’s leadership team retain significant ownership in BIO and will also be leading Yellowstone’s expansion throughout Texas. He now has some liquidity and has spread out his risk. The other two partners at Piedmont and Austin also have an equity stake. Yellowstone believes it’s crucial for its acquired companies to have skin in the game.

Although Piedmont is a young company, merely a decade old, it was approached by Yellowstone for not only being one of the largest locally owned landscaping companies in Georgia, but also for being skilled at obtaining maintenance contracts with major HOAs.

“Many of our people were leery about going into this arrangement because of all the negative things they’ve heard about similar acquisitions in this industry in the past,” says Drew Watkins, Piedmont’s co-founder. That was quickly dissipated when Yellowstone allowed the company to continue to run like it always had with Watkins still making the day-to-day decisions on an operational basis.

“Yellowstone is not interested in micromanaging us,” explains Taylor. “They didn’t come in and change things indiscriminately. Rather, they focus on big picture items by telling us ‘This is where we want to be and what are your ideas for getting us there?’”

Working through an investment advisor to find a private equity firm to partner with and grow its business to the next level, Austin looked seriously at about half a dozen other private equity firms. None of them provided the same level of opportunity that Gridiron offered through Yellowstone. Its lucrative Florida market and experience with the installation and management of Class A communities and resorts extending to the Bahamas attracted Yellowstone.

“We now have the financial strength to focus on what we do best,” says founder Edward Schatz Jr. “That is taking care of our clients, as well as our employees who serve them.”

Changes

Taylor admits that his job has changed since the merger. He is now spending much of his time communicating with corporate, acquiring other companies and preparing long-term budgets. There is now a huge shift within his organization on sales and contract retention. “The refocus of attention and reporting up has changed my workday, but I understand how necessary it is to achieve long-term goals,” he says.

From an operational standpoint, Yellowstone brought Piedmont to a whole new level with fresh ideas operationally. “Prior to Yellowstone, we were in the Dark Ages with our IT systems,” says Watkins. “Now we are using state-of-the-art financial software and are going through the process mapping exercise companywide. As we grow, there will be HR improvements in healthcare benefits and talent sharing.”

Since Austin’s acquisition, Schatz has had to take on additional reporting requirements, but doesn’t find it overburdening. “Now my focus has expanded to handling all of Florida for Yellowstone, not just the markets we were currently serving [Florida’s Atlantic north coast].”

The three operating companies share their ideas on sales markets. Each company shares bid strategies with the other operating companies to allow expansion into all types of work. The principals speak over the phone regularly, there are weekly conference calls with each company’s sales managers and key decisions are made at quarterly roundtable meetings with the four partners.

“I have learned a tremendous amount from the other principals in areas where Austin hasn’t been traditionally strong,” says Schatz. “For example, Robert Taylor taught me about bidding on government contracts; Drew Watkins, apartment maintenance; John Miller, long-range planning and keeping an eye on the big picture.”

Watkins adds, “When you operate on your own, you are on an island. You don’t have the benefit of picking the brains of other companies. Now I have access to free-flow of valuable information whenever I want it. I can pick up the phone anytime, ask tough questions and get other valuable opinions.”

Gathering consensus on how to bring in the branding of Yellowstone’s well-established companies in their respective markets presents an interesting challenge. “Everyone has a different idea about icons, logos and colors,” says Taylor. “The result of those discussions is a totally different look for our trucks, uniforms and marketing material.”

Miller is OK with the Yellowstone label added somewhere near each company name like a “Good Housekeeping” seal. “We want to position our companies in our clients’ minds that each one is part of a broader entity enhancing its financial capability to deliver, but focused on local needs and relationships.”

For the past 20 years, Tom Crain has been a regular contributor to B2B publications including many in the green industry. He is also a marketing communications specialist for several companies in the travel, agriculture and nutrition industries.

Robert Taylor, president of BIO, said, “Outdoor Environments and its principal, Chris Lallier, will quickly become an integral part of the BIO team.  Chris worked for BIO some years back, went out on his own, and we welcome him back to share in the vision we have for BIO and Yellowstone.  Chris is a very capable manager and will soon be running our North Houston Branch.  Chris models the values within our organization in regard to integrity, customer service, and professionalism.”

Outdoor Environments, led by Chris Lallier over the past 8 years, was built from the ground up through aggressive sales, referrals, and word of mouth.  “Outdoor Environments is fortunate to now have adequate resources and support for our customers to enhance the quality of their service.  Together with BIO, we will establish a significant presence in the North Houston market.”  This transaction allows Chris to pursue his strength of relationship building in the role of Branch Manager with a focus on business development.

With the addition of Outdoor Environments, BIO now serves 10 counties with a combined 380 employees throughout Southeast Texas.  In April 2008, BIO merged with the Yellowstone Landscape Group, one of the largest full service and environmentally focused landscape providers in the United States.

About BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.

BIO, established in 1982, is a full service landscape contractor providing turnkey landscape services.  These services include landscape and irrigation installation, maintenance, colorscaping, athletic fields, arbor care and green programs.

A natural leader in the landscape industry, BIO has established itself as a leading green advocate in the industry with its compost tea program, organic BIOLife fertilizer and propane powered maintenance equipment.  BIO’s leadership was realized when it was chosen to install and maintain Shangri La Botanical Gardens, the first Platinum LEED certified job in the state of Texas.

BIO is active in the community, with staff serving on committees at The Greater Houston Partnership and Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.  Other industry affiliations are with Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors, NAIOP and the Houston Apartment Association.  For more information about BIO, please call (713) 462-8552 or visit the Web site at www.biolandscape.com.

About Yellowstone Landscape Group

Yellowstone Landscape Group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a national landscape leader dedicated to serving the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, institutional, resort, multi-family and estate markets by offering a comprehensive service solution of green and sustainable practices with an emphasis on protecting, enhancing and increasing property values in a variety of geographic locations.  Yellowstone currently serves customers in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida with expansion plans already in place to increase its geographic footprint.  By delivering best-in class horticultural and business practices, a highly skilled workforce, value-added pricing strategy and the scales of scope and efficiency, the Yellowstone Landscape Group provides its customers with a premium comprehensive service offering.  Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com for more information.

Edward Schatz, Jr., president of Austin Outdoor, said, “Dolphin Landscape was a perfect fit for our company.  We were drawn to the enthusiasm of Dolphin’s leadership and their impeccable landscape care practices and their long-term client relationships.  They truly understand and have a passion for the aesthetic beauty they provide in the communities they serve.”

Dolphin Landscape has been led by Kenny Lopez throughout the past 27 years.  Lopez has developed the company mainly through word of mouth, which has grown to include 150 employees with offices in Loxahatchee, Palm City and Port St. Lucie.  The merger allows Lopez to pursue his strength of relationship building by taking on the role of business development professional with Austin Outdoor.

“I feel honored that Dolphin Landscape is now part of Austin Outdoor.  This strategic decision provides my clients with expanded services, resources, expertise and efficiency.  Austin Outdoor is the type of company I was looking for with their local, focused Florida presence.  I look forward to this endeavor with Austin Outdoor,” said Lopez.

With this merger, Austin Outdoor now serves 12 Florida counties with a combined 500 employees throughout the East Central, Northeast, Central and Southeast regions.  In January 2009, Austin Outdoor merged with the Yellowstone Landscape Group, one of the largest full service and environmentally focused landscape providers in the United States.

About Austin Outdoor

Austin Outdoor, established in 1994, is a horticultural organization dedicated to creating, building and maintaining sustainable landscapes. The organization provides landscape architecture, landscape construction and landscape management for premier properties and is dedicated to offering a wide range of services that enhance clients’ investments and improve the quality of life.  Austin Outdoor operates from its Florida offices in Bunnell/Flagler County (headquarters), Jacksonville, Orlando, Port St. Lucie and newly-acquired West Palm Beach location as well as its out-of-state office in Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas.  For more information about Austin Outdoor, please call (386) 437-6211 or visit the Web site at www.austinoutdoor.net.

About Yellowstone Landscape Group

Yellowstone Landscape Company was founded by Gridiron Capital, LLC, a private equity firm based in New Canaan, Connecticut.  Yellowstone, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a national leader led by a team of dedicated professionals with years of experience in all service lines of landscape architecture, maintenance and construction.  Yellowstone serves the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, resort, multi-family, HOA and sports markets by offering services with an emphasis on protecting, enhancing and increasing property values. In addition to Austin Outdoor, the Yellowstone Landscape Group presently includes Atlanta-based Piedmont Landscape and Houston-based Bio Landscape and Maintenance. Yellowstone serves customers in Texas, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and the Bahamas with plans for geographic expansion. Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com and www.gridironcapital.com for more information.