Jon Gohl, Director of Customer Experience at Aspire Software  joined the company in its infancy 10 years ago and has helped hundreds of clients adopt new software, embrace change, and leverage defined processes and procedures to maximize the efficiency of their united output. In his current role, Jon leads Aspire’s strategic advocacy efforts, including Aspire in Universities, providing software to complement industry-specific degree programs, and Aspire Ambassadors, engaging with and leveraging relationships with our customer champions.

Jon is a member of NALP’s Foundation Board and serves on the NALP Government Affairs Committee to protect and secure the Green Industry's best interests. He is also proud to be a board member of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, working at the intersection of social, environmental, and climate justice to deliver education, green infrastructure, and climate safe neighborhoods. Outside of his professional life, Jon is an air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast who enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife.

Sabrina and Ryan met in 2010 while they were students in college at Wright State University. In 2015 they were married and a year later Dunham's Lawn Care was born. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business from WSU and again in 2018 with a Master's degree in Health Education from The University of Cincinnati. Sabrina has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and today she shares that same passion with Ryan. Sabrina and Ryan work together to oversee the general operations of Dunham's Lawn Care.

Tim Ryan is the Executive Director of The Lighthouse Group, one of the principal lighting designers at the Lighthouse Design Studio, and the professional photographer capturing the beauty of the group's finished projects. With over 27 years of experience in the industry, Tim began his journey by integrating lighting into his landscape designs, eventually transitioning full-time into the outdoor lighting business after discovering the magic and transformative power of illuminated garden spaces. Since joining Lighthouse in 2015, he has been a passionate advocate for advancing the craft and is deeply committed to mentoring and educating the next generation of outdoor lighting designers.

Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals- CLVLT #1724

International Landscape Lighting Institute - BOD member and Mentor

Websites:

The Lighthouse Group:  www.Lighthouse-Lights.com

Lighthouse Design Studio:  www.Lights.Design

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ryan-793b6857/

As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company’s growth and strategy while maintaining their core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud. Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees. He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 70 landscape professionals.

Over his 22 years in the industry, Paul has been a part of hiring hundreds of people from all backgrounds. He is passionate about giving opportunities to others and influencing them to do things “The Sun Valley Way”. Paul has been recognized as Midlands Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Sun Valley Landscaping has been recognized locally and nationally for their community outreach efforts by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Landscape Management, and Lawn and Landscape magazines, and most recently, the National Association of Landscape Professionals. From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.

Ryan Drake is the Vice President of J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc., a family-owned and operated full-service landscape company based in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 1989 by his parents, Joe and Natalie Drake, J.F.D. Landscapes has grown into a trusted name in the industry, combining expertise with a deep commitment to quality and community.

Ryan's journey in the landscape industry began early, spending summers and winter breaks working for the family business from 2007 to 2014. After earning full-time industry experience, including a tenure with a large national landscape firm, he returned to J.F.D. Landscapes at the end of 2014, bringing fresh insights and a passion for the family legacy.

Dedicated to advancing the industry, Ryan has served on the Ohio Landscape Association board since 2020 and currently holds the position of President-Elect. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the ongoing success of landscaping professionals across the region.

Prior to his acquisition of a Commercial Landscaping Company in 2022, Chris had a successful career in Finance, spending the past twelve years in consulting, mergers & acquisitions (buy and sell side transactions in the petrochemical space). He co-founded Salem Oak Vineyards in 2013, produced several award-winning wines, and helped grow the business to $750,000 in sales. He continues to serve as a strategic partner to the winery.

Chris has also built a successful real estate portfolio over the past ten years transacting on $2.5 MM in single family real estate and raw land development. After overcoming initial challenges post-acquisition, Chris continues to focus on growth both organically and through bolt-on acquisitions in commercial landscaping and tree removal. When he’s not chasing deals, he’s spending quality time with his growing family.  

Rich is a transformative leader and pioneering environmentalist on a mission to Scale Conservation. Armed with a PhD in data science, Rich combines relentless commitment with visionary thinking to redefine our relationship with the natural world. He founded Oxygen Conservation in 2021 and has rapidly built it into one of the world’s most impactful natural capital portfolios, valued at £150 million and actively transforming almost 45,000 acres into thriving ecosystems for people and wildlife. Rich is determined to make natural capital as a mainstream asset class, with the ambitious target of managing over £1 billion in assets by 2030, reshaping how the world values nature and creating positive impact at an incredible scale.

Get in touch with Rich!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richstockdale/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxygen-conservation/

https://www.oxygenconservation.com/

Darrell Turman is a leading outdoor cooking expert and consultant based in Colorado, specializing in the design and installation of custom outdoor kitchens. With decades of hands-on experience and a deep passion for fire and gas-based cooking, Darrell helps homeowners transform their backyards into high-performance culinary spaces.

Whether it’s designing the perfect grill island, curating premium appliances, or managing full-scale outdoor kitchen builds, Darrell brings a rare blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and real-world experience to every project. His work seamlessly combines function, aesthetics, and a love for outdoor living—turning exterior spaces into true extensions of the home.

Respected for his approachable style and deep industry knowledge, Darrell is a trusted resource for anyone serious about elevating their outdoor cooking setup. From built-in gas grills, pizza ovens, and smokers to pergolas, refrigeration, and custom cabinetry, he’s here to talk design, technique, and the appliances that make it all possible.

Get ready to fire things up—because when Darrell’s involved, outdoor living meets serious flavor.

Andrew Martin, founder of Urban Landcare, has worked in the landscape industry for 25 years, including 20 years in San Diego. After obtaining degrees in Business and Horticulture, Andrew was recruited by the largest landscape maintenance company in the country, Valleycrest. His primary experience includes managing large-scale, high-demand landscapes, such as military bases and master-planned communities. His career has spanned landscape management for commercial and industrial properties, residential estates, HOAs, hotels, and apartment buildings.

After gaining valuable experience in large-scale firms, Andrew followed his passion and pursued his entrepreneurial dream. In 2018, he launched Urban Landcare, a commercial landscape maintenance firm based in Encinitas, CA. The company strives to be the best commercial landscaper in San Diego County.

Urban Landcare operates two key divisions: Enhancements/Irrigation and Maintenance. With a strong focus on water management, the company is at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges presented by California’s changing environment. In just six years, Urban Landcare has grown from a start-up to serving over 60 maintenance properties and employing 30 people. As Urban continues to grow organically, it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and fostering a culture of care for its clients and employees.

Jerry Schill founded Schill Grounds Management in 1993, and as CEO he sets the strategic vision for the company and makes executive and financial decisions that drive profitable growth and scale.

Beginning in 2020, Jerry partnered with Argonne Capital to proactively drive consolidation in the highly fragmented commercial grounds management and snow and ice removal industry by acquiring independent privately held businesses that add contiguous geographic expansion for Schill.

Jerry has three decades of leadership experience, and he believes in running the business with family values, integrity, respect and honesty. He also holds leadership positions with industry professional organizations including serving as an active member of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association’s Government Affairs Committee and the Ohio Landscape Association’s Snow and Ice Committee.

Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Glenville State College. He is also the founder of Holiday Feast, an annual event that provides free meals for thousands of people in the Cleveland area. Jerry’s contributions to the industry were recognized when he was chosen for the National Leadership Award by SNOW Magazine and Lawn & Landscape Magazine.

Connect with Jerry!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-schill-2b010b1a/

https://www.schilllandscaping.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/schill-grounds-management/