Jennifer Lemcke brings over 30 years of experience to her leadership role at Weed Man, where she first began her career as a manager trainee in Ottawa in 1993. Over the years, Jennifer has worked in every department within the company, gaining hands-on knowledge and a deep understanding of the lawn care industry. Her journey with Weed Man saw her rise from General Manager of Weed Man Ottawa, where she helped grow the franchise revenue from $200,000 to $2 million in five years, to a key player in the company’s expansion across North America. Her leadership played a crucial role in launching the Weed Man brand in the United States, and she later acquired global rights to the brand in 2018.

As the driving force behind Weed Man’s success, Jennifer oversees operations in over 853 territories across the United States and Canada, with franchise system sales surpassing $390 million. Her passion for supporting franchisees and creating growth opportunities has led to the launch of Mosquito Hero, a new sub-brand aimed at providing additional revenue streams. Outside of work, Jennifer values her family life and takes pride in fostering a sense of community within the Weed Man family. An avid traveler and golf enthusiast, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and contributing to the future growth of the company.

Register for the Weathermatic x Wilson360 Webinar: https://bit.ly/WeathermaticW360

Rick Grimes is a 30-year technology professional, with deep experience in Marketing, Operations, and Data Analysis. He has held leadership positions at companies of all sizes, ranging from some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Microsoft and Yahoo, to small startups that were still figuring out what to call themselves.

Rick caught the AI bug about two years ago and has been using, teaching, and evangelizing AI ever since. He has taught hundreds of people how to incorporate AI into both their professional and personal workflows to create efficiencies and enable new capabilities. He uses AI to supercharge many aspects of his day, from engaging it as a strategic thought partner to helping him create copy to building a Spanish tutor for his son so Rick could watch his Steelers play while his son worked on his Spanish vocabulary. Rick is currently Director of Marketing at Ai Layer Labs, a Web3 startup at the intersection of AI and blockchain.

This is Brant Wichman who has run a successful high-end landscape construction company in Lincoln Nebraska for the past 14 years. As a contractor he interacted with customers each and every day and kept thinking that there has to be a way to help contractors know their client better before they step foot on their property. A reverse Angie, a reverse BBB.... something.

One day he took a leap of faith and took the blue collar mentality to tech country and started to develop this app for contractors. A few years later Customer Insight NOW was born.  A fast and easy-to-use software that allows a contractor to look up critical information on their client before they even step foot out of their trucks!! Ability to pay, Credit Score, disposable income, and more is what you will get with this!! All for less than 10 bucks.

If you are in sales, you know that there are many ways to pitch or sell a client.... but if you knew who your client was before you got out of your truck.... Game Over!

Check out their website at https://www.customerinsightnow.com/?aff=diGs0zKL78zS

An experienced operational leader with a proven track record in the horticulture and arboriculture industries, I am passionate about plants, trees, and fostering growth—both for nature and the people I work with. Over the years, I have developed expertise in team building, negotiation, budgeting, plant identification, and operations management, all of which have contributed to my success in leading diverse teams. My leadership is centered around creating collaborative, high-performing environments that drive results and adapt seamlessly to change. I find great satisfaction in helping others grow professionally, mentoring team members to achieve their career aspirations and build a sense of purpose in their work.

Throughout my career, I have led large teams through significant transitions, ensuring smooth operations and maintaining morale during challenging periods. My focus on team development has been key to empowering individuals, promoting a culture of support, and achieving collective success. With a deep passion for horticulture, I am dedicated to creating environments where both people and plants thrive, cultivating a sense of fulfillment and achievement in all that I do.

Michael Ding, a Stanford-trained computer science and AI researcher, founded Bobyard to tackle critical challenges in the landscape construction industry. During his time in school, Michael identified a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and one of the most essential yet overlooked sectors in construction. Driven by his vision, he decided to drop out of Stanford to found Bobyard, bringing together a world-class team of AI engineers and industry veterans. Together, they’re building solutions to help contractors work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

James Lawrence, at just 25 years old, has successfully grown his business from the ground up, achieving remarkable growth over the past four years. His approach to leadership emphasizes building strong systems and processes, but above all, fostering a culture where people come first. For James, the most fulfilling aspect of his work is witnessing his team members grow within the company, accomplishing goals they once considered out of reach — both personally and for their families. With a clear vision, James is dedicated to creating a company known for its exceptional quality and as a workplace where people are proud to belong.

Norman Ripper is a dedicated entrepreneur and former military professional with a background in Chinese Mandarin. After serving six years in the military, Norman returned to Florida and founded Helping Hand Lawn Care in 2003. Over the past two decades, he has grown the company from a door-to-door residential mowing service into a thriving business with 83 employees, achieving significant growth in the last six years. In 2024, Norman marked a major milestone with the acquisition of Protex, a local Fertilization & Pest Control business, further expanding Helping Hand Lawn Care’s offerings.

Brian Hamilton is one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and a leading expert on entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Sageworks, America’s first fintech company, which helped millions of business owners translate complex financial information. The company was sold in 2018 to a leading private equity firm and now operates as "Abrigo." In 2021, Brian invested in LiveSwitch and expanded its operations in the United States.

Brian is also founder of Inmates to Entrepreneurs, an international program dedicated to teaching people with criminal records how to start their own businesses. He stars in the television series Free Enterprise on ABC, based on the Inmates to Entrepreneurs program.

Hamilton has been widely featured in the press including USA Today, Newsweek, and CNBC and is the recipient of many awards, including the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award.

LiveSwitch is a leading communications platform that uses instant video to transform how people work and scale their businesses. LiveSwitch makes it easier for business owners to connect with customers and document their work in real-time. LiveSwitch clients include entrepreneurs, small businesses and global Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries.

https://www.liveswitch.com/

Chris Ryon

Chris Ryon has been dedicated to the service industry since the age of 15. Growing up around Publix Supermarkets alongside his father, he developed a deep love for serving people. He graduated from USC Upstate with a degree in Accounting and has been a "numbers guy" ever since. Chris joined The Budd Group in 2019 as a Regional Field Accountant in the janitorial division for the South Carolina region. In 2021, with The Budd Group’s increased investment in the landscape division to support growth, he transitioned to the role of Landscape Accounting Manager. This year, he was promoted to Controller of the landscape division.

Chris’s journey in the landscape industry has been incredibly rewarding. He feels privileged to be part of an industry that is relationally close, operationally dynamic, and seasonally intriguing. Over the years, Chris has attended three NALP leadership conference events (Elevate), connected with numerous industry leaders, and played a key role in implementing The Budd Group’s first operational software, Aspire, within the landscaping division. Looking forward, he anticipates many more exciting firsts with The Budd Group and within the landscape industry.

Michael Bingham

Michael Bingham, a seasoned professional with over 28 years in the service industry, boasts a Magna Cum Laude distinction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His impressive 21-year tenure at The Budd Group has seen him excel in various management roles, including Branch Manager, Regional Manager, Regional Director, Area Vice President, and Vice President. Michael's leadership has garnered numerous accolades for the company, such as Branch of the Year, Safety Branch of the Year, Account of the Year, and the prestigious President's Award. However, he finds the greatest reward in witnessing the career advancement of his team members and the satisfaction of his clients.

Currently spearheading The Budd Group's landscape division, Michael is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and sustainable growth, paving the way for further career development opportunities as the company expands its footprint across the southeastern United States.

Jenny Girard is currently an Implementation Specialist with BOSS Software at The Integra Group, a business solutions company dedicated to serving the green and snow industries. In this role, Jenny leverages her extensive industry expertise to onboard new clients, optimizing their operations and improving their efficiency through BOSS's innovative software solutions. Her commitment to driving growth and operational excellence is complemented by her pursuit of an MBA to enhance her business skills and strategic insights.

Before joining The Integra Group, Jenny held key roles across the green industry and snow industries. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Plant Science from SUNY Cobleskill and has over 15 years of experience. Those roles included Production at Longwood Gardens, Specialty Landscape Designer at Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Parks, and Area Manager for RM Landscape. While she was at RM Landscape, she oversaw accounts and operations in Buffalo, NY, for both green and snow as well as served as the strategic coordinator for corporate initiatives. Jenny's dedication to the green and snow industries is reflected in her active contributions to several committees with NALP, SIMA, and the Patch Project. In recognition of her leadership, she was named NALP’s Young Professional of the Year in 2023.