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.

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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.

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 & Chief Operating Officer

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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.

Mary Novoa

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Vice President of Human Resources

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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.

Sandra Leija

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Vice President of Operations

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Sandra oversees divisional performance and operational execution across Ethoscapes. With more than 20 years in commercial landscape management, she is known for leading high-performing teams and strengthening client partnerships. Her leadership drives service consistency, operational discipline, and measurable growth across the platform.

Chris Conlon

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Vice President of Business Development

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Chris leads revenue strategy and client acquisition for Ethoscapes, focusing on sustainable growth across key commercial verticals. With a background spanning sales leadership and operational integration, he aligns business development efforts with long-term platform objectives. His emphasis on disciplined pipeline management and proposal excellence strengthens Ethoscapes’ market presence.

Jose Udave

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Branch Manager, Maintenance Division

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Jose 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.

Samuel Miskimins

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Branch Manager, Erosion Control Division

Sam leads Ethoscapes’ Erosion Control Division, overseeing project execution, 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.

Mike Palermo

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Director of Operations

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Mike provides operational leadership across Ethoscapes’ maintenance portfolio, supporting Account Management, contract execution, and client retention. With more than 30 years in the Houston landscape market, he brings deep institutional knowledge and process expertise. His leadership strengthens operational consistency and long-term client partnerships.

Brad Palermo

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Director of Special Projects

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Brad leads cross-division initiatives designed to improve efficiency, standardize processes, and support scalable growth. With a career rooted in operations, estimating, and business development, he plays a key role in integrating systems across the platform. His focus is on aligning workflows and optimizing performance as Ethoscapes continues to expand.

John Lamendola

Controller

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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.

Our Specialists

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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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

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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.

A Scalable System Built for Property Professionals

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.

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