Lex Mason, President of Weathermatic, led Weathermatic to become the world leader in Landscape Irrigation connected devices. Ten years ago, Mason came into the family business primarily focused at the time on plastic injection molding and transitioned the company into the Connected Devices and Software space. SmartLink and its suite of professional services was built to automate manual irrigation tasks, so landscape companies can grow billable hours. Mason is married to his High School sweetheart Cassie, #GirlDad to 3 amazing daughters, a car enthusiast, and obsessive entrepreneur.

Connect with Lex Mason on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexmason 

Chase Mullin leads Mullin’s executive team, focusing on strategy, vision, and alignment, as the CEO. After founding the company in 2007, Chase has experience in most every position in the company.

Learning the business from the “ground up” has proven to be invaluable to Chase, and he often utilizes his experience in the field and middle management roles to empathize with Mullin’s team members and to truly serve the team. Chase’s vision for growth, not just for the company but also for the people within it, has proven to be one of the keys to Mullin’s continued success.

Brad Cox serves as the Senior Vice President of LMC Landscape Partners, in addition to his role as the CEO of Lawn Management Company (LMC)/Embark Services, an LMC Landscape Partners company. He partners with commercial landscape company acquisition founders and owners to ensure smooth transitions.

For almost two decades, Brad has led LMC/Embark Services by pursuing excellence and hiring commercial landscaping professionals who are rooted in the company’s values. The company serves more than 1,100 businesses and organizations from its six Greater Houston, Texas area locations. Prior to becoming CEO, Brad served as President for six years, after being promoted from the General Manager position that he held for almost nine years.

During his tenure, LMC has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2021 Gold Award for “MD Anderson Stormwater Mitigation Project,” two 2019 Silver Awards and two 2020 Bronze Awards given by the National Association of Landscape Professionals Awards of Excellence. And most recently, the 2022 Gold Award for “Rice Village Arcade”

As founder and CEO of Aspire Software, Mark Tipton leads one of the top business management SaaS platforms. Aspire Software has earned consistent recognition as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America with inclusion on the Inc. 5000, Deloitte Technology’s Fast 500, and the St. Louis Business Journal Fast 50 lists. Since co-founding Aspire Software in 2013, Mark has assembled a best-in-class team of experts to develop, build, and scale the Aspire platform into a truly end-to-end enterprise system that leverages software, services, and education to transform the way lawn care and landscape companies manage their businesses. In January 2021, Mark led the acquisition of scheduling software application Crew Control, which extends the company's reach to green-industry businesses of all sizes. Mark is a service-oriented and open leader focused on driving rapid growth while cultivating a positive, engaged company culture that enables high-performing teams to develop key capabilities, execute value-driven solutions, and deliver exceptional user experiences

Mike Mason, CEO and chairman of TELSCO Industries, dba Weathermatic, and its subsidiaries, led Weathermatic to become the world leader in water conservation technology and labor automation.  Telsco Industries’ portfolio of companies includes Weathermatic, Unlimited Labor Solutions, SmartLink, and Water Engineering Services. Twenty-nine years ago, Mason took over a beleaguered Weathermatic and grew it into the industry icon it is today, setting new industry standards and becoming the undisputed leader in innovation technology and automated labor processes. Mason’s background is replete in accomplishments in investment banking and high-stakes corporate turnarounds. His exceptionalism led him to work closely with The Hunt family of Dallas, TX, and the Cox and Rollins families of Atlanta, GA.  He is accredited with successful turnarounds, mergers, capital raises and acquisitions including Anchor Crane and Hoist, Blockbuster Video, Alert - alarm monitoring, Blockbuster Video, Hartland Cable Television, and the introduction of Cox Cable into the fiberoptics world via PSO Metrolink of Dallas and Oklahoma. Today, Weathermatic large network of professional landscape contractors, comprised of well over half the Top 150 contractors in the country, many of which have reported a doubling of their profits by focusing on irrigation repair revenue through Weathermatic SmartLink Network.

According to Malcolm Morris, former Chairman of Weathermatic “Weathermatic is poised to become one of the most valuable companies in the landscape industry in the next four years due to its innovative technology, rapid market growth, and state-of-the-art technology automating water management and labor for landscape contractors.” Most recently, Mason founded Unlimited Labor Solutions, a thriving immigration consulting company paving the way for legal immigration into the United States by converting H2B seasonal workers into permanent labor. Mason made it his mission, via Unlimited Labor, to utilize his extensive connections, resources, and business acumen to take the lead in addressing the labor crisis through coupling proven SmartLink automation with Unlimited Labor’s immigration resources. Mason is currently the Chairman of  Save Water Give Life Foundation and on the Board of Directors of Living Water International and served over two decades on the Board of Directors of Freedom Alliance. As an inspirational speaker, he frequently promotes servant leadership, conservative values, mentorship, and entrepreneurialism.  

Zack is the CEO of Stratton and Bratt, a full-service landscaping company based in Pleasant Grove, Utah.  Stratton and Bratt offers a wide range of services, including landscape maintenance, snow removal, commercial bid/build, and general contracting services.  Zack started Stratton and Bratt while studying at Brigham Young University.   Since that time the company has grown into one of the largest firms in the region with over 250 employees with offices throughout Utah.  He is incredibly proud to work alongside some of the most talented people in the industry.  Zack lives in Utah with his wife and four children and loves being a dad.

Bryan is the CEO of Winterberry, a full service landscaping company based in Southington, CT.  Winterberry offers a wide range of services, including landscape maintenance, fertilization, irrigation service, golf course irrigation install, commercial bid/build, residential design/build and retail.  Bryan started with Winterberry in 2007 when he graduated with an undergraduate business degree from Uconn and decided he didn’t want to work behind a desk.  He started as a junior landscape designer and has managed marketing, technology, and the design department at various times at Winterberry.

After completing his MBA in 2015, Bryan moved into Executive leadership at Winterberry.  He has since held on for dear life as the Winterberry team has grown from roughly $10 million in revenue in 2015 to a projected $32 million in 2023.  He is incredibly proud to work alongside some very talented people in a culture that allows them to grow and thrive.  Bryan lives in Connecticut with his wife and two young children.

Specializing in Growth and Exit strategy planning, Jeff Harkness has spent over 20 years working exclusively with the owners of contracting and service firms.

Jeff has been the leading advisor guiding over 30 companies to exit via private equity groups or industry buyers. He has worked closely with owners on business valuation, strategic growth, profit planning, pricing strategies, capital funding, or buy-side transactions. Jeff advises clients with succession planning involving family, employees, or other related parties. He also creates strategies for owners that tie key people to the company through compensation models, phantom stock and/or bonus programs.

Jeff has been a featured speaker for many national and state trade associations, industry software companies, and executive leadership conferences. Topics have included: Business Valuations; Raising Capital for Growth; Selling Your Business; and Maximizing Your Profit. Jeff has also been a frequent contributor of articles in Landscape Management Magazine and Lawn and Landscape Magazine.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York. In addition, Jeff has obtained the Certified Financial Planner (“CFP”) designation.

Jeff, his wife Tracy and their sons Benton and Landon live in Alpharetta, GA.  Jeff is a big sports fan, enjoys traveling, lake life, good wine, and spending time with family and friends.

Charlie Johnson is a dedicated and experienced landscape professional with a passion for nature. He founded Outdoor Systems Management in 2008 and he has been in the green industry for over 20 years and has built a reputation as an expert in his field, and is a member of several professional associations. He is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest trends, techniques, and advancements in the industry.

Charlie is a family man and is married with four children. He is dedicated to his family and enjoys spending time with them. He is an active father and enjoys traveling with his family , and also enjoys playing sports and staying fit. He is an avid golfer and can often be found on the greens of Arizona’s golf courses.

In his free time, Charlie is an active volunteer in his church and the greater community. He is involved in various community programs and initiatives and is known for his philanthropy. He believes in giving back to the community and is committed to making a positive impact.

Tom Fochtman has been involved in the green industry his entire career, spanning 41 years.  He co-founded a commercial landscape contracting company that grew to $33M in revenue, selling the company in 2011.  Tom has served in multiple capacities with the National Association of Landscape Professional (NALP), including 3 terms on the Board, President of the NALP Foundation and working on many task forces and committees.

For the past 12 years he has been leading Ceibass Venture Partners, an exit strategy firm.  Ceibass is focused on assisting landscape company owners with the successful transition of their company, and ultimately their goal of retirement.  The goal of Ceibass is to achieve the most profitable exit for their clients