QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Top-performing landscape designer/consultant and certified horticulturist/arborist with many years of experience and an exceptionally strong track record of demonstrable success in both private and public (municipal) landscape design and horticulture/arboriculture. Enthusiastic and energetic self-starter with a proven landscape-design sales record and a history of effectively utilizing an artist's eye, a seasoned horticulturist's acumen, and outstanding client-relations abilities to deliver a landscape design/solution every time, the first time, that makes clients happy and makes the company look good. Intelligent and resourceful strategic thinker with celebrated attention to detail and highly-developed administration and project-management abilities. Flexible, positive, and personable team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to easily interact and build strong professional relationships with individuals at all levels; featured speaker at many horticultural conferences. Consummate professional driven to exceed expectations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
J. W. TOWNSEND, INC. (Landscape Contractor), Charlottesville, Virginia 8/08-3/10
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER / SALES & PROJECT MANAGER
Met with existing and potential clients on site for design and horticultural/arboriculture consultations, and provided designs and estimates for landscape, hardscape, lighting, and irrigation. Built strategic relationships with contractors/builders, landscape architects, pool-installation companies, and realtors, among others, to maintain steady influx of potential business. Managed all client accounts and diligently followed up with clients.
„X Specialized in custom, hand-rendered master-plan designs and high-end res. landscape refurbishments
„X Wrote articles for and designed and edited company newsletter Garden Matters, published quarterly
„X Sold first, six-figure landscape during economic downturn, thanks in large part to exceptional sales abilities
„X Was the key player in meeting the company's 2010 first-quarter sales goals ($196K in sales)
VERDANT DESIGN, Vero Beach, Florida 2/08 - 9/08
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER / CONSULTING HORTICULTURIST; ARBORIST (OWNER)
Met with existing and potential clients on site for design and horticultural/arboriculture consultations, and provided designs and estimates for landscape, hardscape, lighting, and irrigation. Directed installation crews. Managed client accounts and diligently followed up with clients. Provided custom, hand-rendered design work.
HORIZON HORTICULTURAL GROUP, Vero Beach, Florida 9/05 - 2/08
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER / PROJECT MANAGER
Met with existing and potential clients on site for design and horticultural/arboriculture consultations, and provided designs and estimates for landscape, hardscape, lighting, and irrigation. Directed installation crews. Managed client accounts and diligently followed up with clients. Provided custom, hand-rendered design work.
„X Designed company logo, managed company branding, and redesigned and managed company website
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS, HORTICULTURE DIVISION, Staunton, Virginia 2/01 - 9/05
CITY HORTICULTURIST
Designed and installed numerous urban landscapes and refurbishments for municipal and commercial projects. Designed and maintained municipal-garden areas, city parks, green-spaces, tree plantings, and annual bed design. Developed and managed annual budget and attained various grant awards. Planned and prepared departmental capital-improvement budget requests, and administered review and approval of development plans for compliance and permitting/approval. Purchased and maintained all equipment and supplies. Led, directed, and scheduled personnel, and coordinated all horticultural/arboricultural projects/tasks.
„X Upon hire, won public over to new master plan and implemented plan piece by piece with no guidance
„X Designed and installed (with crew) the landscape that won the 2004 Keep Virginia Beautiful Landscape Excellence Award in the Municipal Category
„X Led Staunton to receive first National Arbor Day Tree City Growth Award in 2003, and again in 2004
„X Held seats on several city planning, design, and CBD urban developmental review boards and committees
„X Served as guest speaker on numerous horticulture and arboriculture topics at Blue Ridge Community College, Virginia Tech University, various local schools, and civic group meetings
„X Initiated and led several successful city-wide fundraisers, enabling city to purchase trees
„X Developed and administered educational, public relations, and volunteer programs
„X Acquired knowledge of aspects of urban/municipal forestry and tree species, both native and exotic
„X Administered urban-forestry program in Zones 6-10
„X Developed and implemented municipal tree ordinances and worked with utility companies to achieve proper aesthetic and overall plant health
„X Maintained Virginia Pesticide Applicator Certification throughout job tenure
MESSER LANDSCAPE, INC., Staunton, Virginia 2/00 - 2/01
GARDEN CENTER / WHOLESALE MANAGER; LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Designed site plans and concepts for residential and commercial landscapes. Oversaw and maintained garden-center stock and display, helped maintain nursery stock, and managed wholesale sales and procurement. Led and directed team of up to five employees. Cultivated strong relationships with customers to maximize sales and ensure high level of customer satisfaction. Attended trade shows. Published newsletter.
FINE LANDSCAPES, LTD. / MAISON ET JARDIN, LTD., McLean, Virginia 6/99 - 2/00
SPECIAL ORDERS / PROCUREMENT; HORTICULTURIST
Served as on-site, garden-center horticulturist. Procured high-end garden ornaments and client special orders.
„X Designed some small residential landscapes
LAUREL CREEK NURSERY, Christiansburg, Virginia 4/98 - 5/99
GARDEN CENTER SALES, MAINTENANCE, AND DISPLAY DESIGN
Sold plant materials to the general public, while handling various plant maintenance and propagation duties.
Previously served as claim-settlement negotiator for GEICO Insurance, Fredericksburg, Virginia (6/93 - 8/97).
EDUCATION
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY, Blacksburg, Virginia
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HORTICULTURE (LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING & DESIGN FOCUS)
„X Competed and placed in ALCA (PLANET) Student Career Days: Sales Presentation, Landscape Design, Management, and Troubleshooting
„X Served as vice president of VT Horticulture Club (1998 - 1999)
„X Received Virginia Iris Society Scholarship and VT Horticulture Club Scholarship
„X Honored with VT Recreational Sports Clubs President of the Year Award
„X Member of Pi Alpha Xi Horticultural Honor Society
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, Fairfax, Virginia
BACHELOR OF ARTS, ENGLISH (WRITING PROGRAM)
„X Founding sister and chapter vice president of Alpha Phi Women¡¦s Fraternity, Eta Lambda Chapter
VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, Blacksburg, Virginia
MASTER GARDENER EDUCATION PROGRAM
CERTIFICATIONS
International Society of Arboriculture (Florida Chapter) Certified Arborist (MA-4264A) (2002 ¡V Present)
FNGLA ¡V Florida Certified Horticultural Professional (2006 ¡V Present)
VNLA ¡V Virginia Certified Horticulturist (2009 ¡V Present)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Virginia Urban Forest Council / Trees Virginia Newsletter Publisher/Editor (2009 ¡V Present)
Virginia Urban Forest Council / Trees Virginia Board Member (2002 ¡V 2005)
Vero Beach City Tree & Beautification Committee Appointed Seat Holder (2007 ¡V 2008)
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