Meet the Team Behind the Ethosystem
The People Who Keep Your Properties Running at Their Best
Commercial landscaping at scale requires more than good intentions. It requires certified professionals, experienced specialists, and a leadership team that has built the systems to support them.
Unified Commercial Landscape Management
Ethoscapes brings together specialists across every discipline of commercial landscape management under one unified platform.
From the Account Managers your team works with daily to the certified arborists, irrigation experts, and erosion technicians working in the field, every team member operates within the same structure, follows the same standards, and is supported by the same system.
Executive Leadership Team
Darren McDonough
Chief Executive Officer
Darren leads Ethoscapes with a disciplined, execution-focused approach shaped by more than 20 years of military leadership and senior operational roles in complex organizations. Prior to joining Ethoscapes, he served as Senior Vice President at BrightView, where he led regional growth initiatives in a competitive market. Darren is building Ethoscapes into a scalable commercial landscape platform grounded in operational excellence and accountability.
Jerry Cavitt
Chief Financial Officer
Jerry oversees financial strategy, operational integration, and technology innovation across Ethoscapes. With extensive experience leading public, private, and PE-backed organizations, he brings deep expertise in M&A execution, systems implementation, and process optimization. His leadership strengthens operational efficiency and positions Ethoscapes for scalable, long-term growth.
Chris Conlon
Chief Commercial Officer
Chris oversees Ethoscapes’ commercial strategy, aligning business development, sales, estimating, client strategy and market expansion across the organization. With more than 20 years of sales and business development experience, he has a strong track record of driving revenue growth, entering new markets and building high-performing teams. Since joining Ethoscapes, Chris has helped strengthen the company’s business development and estimating functions, expand into new client verticals and support disciplined, profitable growth across Texas.
Senior Leadership Team
Sandra Leija
Senior Vice President, Client Strategy and Growth
Sandra oversees Ethoscapes’ Account Management organization, with a focus on strengthening client relationships, improving retention and supporting account growth across existing and expanding markets. With deep operational experience and a strong understanding of client needs, she helps connect commercial strategy with the day-to-day client experience. Sandra works closely with leadership and account teams to build greater consistency, accountability and client focus as Ethoscapes continues to grow.
Mary Novoa
Vice President of Human Resources
Mary leads human capital strategy for Ethoscapes, building people-first systems that support growth, retention, and organizational alignment. With a background in developing HR functions from the ground up, she partners with leadership to implement programs that strengthen culture and performance. Her focus is on ensuring Ethoscapes attracts, develops, and retains the talent required to scale successfully.
Kirby Cannon
Vice President of Landscape ConstructionKirby brings more than 25 years of commercial landscape construction leadership to Ethoscapes. Throughout his career, he has successfully led landscape construction companies, managed large-scale commercial projects from estimating through completion, and overseen operations for teams of more than 100 employees.
As a Texas Licensed Irrigator with extensive expertise in estimating, operations, project execution, and business development, Kirby has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional results.
Patrick Dowd
Vice President of Maintenance Operations
Patrick oversees Ethoscapes’ Maintenance division, drawing on more than 20 years of experience managing large-scale, multi-site service operations across Texas. Throughout his career, he has directed teams of more than 300 employees and supported performance across multiple branches and markets. His background in workforce planning, route optimization, process improvement and leadership development supports consistent execution across the division. Patrick works closely with operations teams to strengthen service delivery, improve efficiency and support Ethoscapes’ continued growth.
Leadership Team
Jose Udave
Branch Manager, Maintenance DivisionJose leads daily operations for Ethoscapes’ Maintenance Division, overseeing field performance, client relationships, and service quality. With more than two decades in commercial landscaping, he combines operational discipline with hands-on leadership. His focus is on consistent execution, safety, and delivering high-quality results across large HOA and commercial portfolios.
John Lamendola
Controller
John serves as Controller at Ethoscapes, bringing executive-level finance and accounting leadership across complex, multi-location organizations. His background includes multi-entity consolidations, acquisitions, integrations, and process improvements that strengthen reporting and financial operations. A Certified Public Accountant with an MBA background, he helps support Ethoscapes' continued growth and long-term operational strength.
Angela Crissman
Marketing Manager
Angela oversees marketing for Ethoscapes, including brand strategy, communications, digital marketing and demand generation across the organization. With experience in cross-channel marketing, brand development and lead generation, she works closely with leadership and operating teams to connect marketing efforts with business growth. Angela focuses on strengthening the Ethoscapes brand, developing clear client-focused messaging and building greater awareness of the company’s capabilities across Texas.
Ben Grace
Director of Fleet, Safety & Facilities
Ben brings more than 31 years of green industry experience to his oversight of fleet, safety and facilities at Ethoscapes. Prior to joining the company, he served as Head of Fleet, Safety and Insurance, managing critical systems that support safe and efficient field operations. Ben holds a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University and applies a disciplined, practical approach to fleet performance, workplace safety and operational support across the organization.
Samuel Miskimins
Director of Account Management
Sam leads Account Management for the Erosion Control Division, overseeing team performance and client delivery. With nearly 20 years of experience in landscape operations and project management, he brings technical expertise and operational rigor to specialized service lines. His leadership ensures efficiency, compliance, and scalable growth within the division.
Jose Luis Gutierrez
Operations Manager, Erosion Control Division
Jose Luis brings 33 years of experience with the company to Ethoscapes’ Erosion Control division. With deep expertise in erosion control and field operations, he is responsible for crew performance, project execution, scheduling, equipment and quality across active projects. His extensive field knowledge and practical approach help keep work moving efficiently and consistently while maintaining the standards Ethoscapes clients expect.
Jose Ortiz
Operations Manager, Maintenance Division
Jose is responsible for maintenance operations across the properties under his direction, supporting field teams and consistent day-to-day service delivery. With experience in commercial landscape maintenance, operations and team management, he works closely with crews and account leadership to reinforce service standards, address property needs and maintain quality in the field. His practical, team-focused approach helps deliver reliable results for Ethoscapes clients.
Ivan Anderson
Operations Manager, Maintenance Division
Ivan oversees field operations for Ethoscapes’ South maintenance team, with responsibility for service quality, team performance and day-to-day execution across the region. His experience in operations management, team development and commercial landscape maintenance has helped him build efficient, high-performing field teams. Ivan emphasizes consistent service, clear communication and strong coordination to help ensure properties are maintained to the highest quality.
Norman Reeder
Senior Irrigation Manager
Norman joined Ethoscapes as a Foreman and has grown into his current role overseeing irrigation operations and a team of 25 supervisors and technicians. A licensed irrigator with experience across field operations, enhancements and landscape construction, he has helped improve irrigation mapping, inspections and programming across the properties Ethoscapes serves. Norman combines strong technical knowledge with a hands-on approach to team performance, quality control and reliable system operation.
Jamey Sanders
Enhancement Manager, Maintenance DivisionJamey manages the planning and execution of landscape enhancement projects for Ethoscapes clients, providing direct oversight from project development through installation. Her background in commercial landscape account management and agricultural services gives her a strong foundation in plant knowledge, client communication and field coordination. Fluent in Spanish, Jamey works closely with clients and field teams to keep projects aligned with the approved scope, quality standards and the long-term needs of each property.
Seth Shockley
Operations Manager, Arbor Division
Seth is an ISA Certified Arborist and experienced climber with nearly a decade of tree care experience. At Ethoscapes, he manages tree work schedules, supports proposals and coordinates emergency tree service. His hands-on background helps him support crews in the field and understand each project from the ground up.
Our Specialists
Our Specialists
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Account Managers
Your Account Manager is your primary point of contact for everything. They are not managing crews day to day. Their role is to be the eyes and ears of your property — walking your site monthly, communicating conditions proactively, and keeping your organization informed without requiring you to follow up. Every client account is supported by a dedicated Account Manager who knows your property and your expectations.
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Certified Arborists
Our Arbor Division is staffed by certified arborists trained in tree health assessment, structural risk evaluation, canopy management, and disease prevention. In a region where hurricanes and heat put significant stress on trees, having certified professionals managing your canopy is one of the most important investments a commercial property can make.
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Irrigation Experts
Licensed irrigators oversee system installation, maintenance, and performance monitoring across Ethoscapes client properties. Properly managed irrigation systems protect landscaping investments, reduce water costs, and keep grounds performing without constant intervention from your team.
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Erosion and Drainage Technicians
Our erosion control and drainage specialists manage the conditions that cause long-term site damage — unaddressed grading deficiencies, inadequate stormwater infrastructure, and deferred corrective work. Through our Erosion Control Division, we establish ground cover quickly on post-construction sites and slopes where traditional methods are not practical.
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Field Supervisors
Field supervisors are the quality control layer between crews and Account Managers. They perform regular site walks, document conditions through the Ethosystem, and ensure that service standards are met on every visit. Developing issues are identified and reported before they reach your team.
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Field Crews
At peak season Ethoscapes operates with more than 500 field crew members across the Greater Houston Area. Every crew member completes a 60 to 90 day onboarding program that includes equipment training, safety protocols, and site-specific preparation. All staff are uniformed, background screened, and I-9 verified before working on any client property.
How We Hire and Train
The quality of a landscape program is only as strong as the people delivering it. Ethoscapes invests in hiring and training standards that protect clients, crews, and the properties they manage.
Every new hire completes a structured onboarding program covering equipment operation, safety protocols, and Ethoscapes service standards before working independently. Staff operating company vehicles complete a driving evaluation with our safety manager. Chemical applicators are licensed. Irrigators are licensed. Arborists are certified.
For every team member, the standard is the same — know the system, follow the process, and take responsibility for the property you are on.
Credentials and Affiliations
The professionals behind Ethoscapes are supported by industry training, certifications, and organizational memberships that reflect the standards we hold ourselves to.
Recognized Among Landscape Management’s Top 50 Companies
Built to Grow Without Losing What Makes It Work
Ethoscapes was built through the integration of several long-standing Texas landscape companies — Westco Grounds Maintenance, Houston Landscapes, Champions Hydro-Lawn, and Tree60 Arbor Division.
Each brought deep local expertise. The Ethosystem brought the structure to connect them.
As Ethoscapes expands across Texas into Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, that same approach applies. Growth is acquisition-driven and culture-led. The teams that join Ethoscapes bring their expertise. The Ethosystem brings the accountability that makes it scalable.
Ethoscapes unites expert divisions under one platform to deliver consistent service, clear communication, and trusted results across Texas.
Currently operating in Houston with expansion into Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.