Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

BRIAN SWANDER

New Fairfield

Summary

Although raised in Connecticut I spent most of my childhood summers alongside my grandfather who was a highly respected caretaker for a well-known and prestigious 50 acre estate in Rye NY. It was during those early years that my desire to work outdoors developed. My grandfather taught me the importance of respect and dedication to create a beautiful atmosphere on the grounds you work on. I credit my strong work ethic and genuine love for the industry from that precious opportunity. Today I am an accredited Master Gardener and Landscape Designer recognized for my consistency in productivity and installations/maintenance with 20 years of experience in the landscape industry. I pride myself in holding true to the core values and upholding high standards that I was taught at a young age in the service industry. I strive to listen attentively to the needs and desires of my clients, to fulfill all expectations, be respectful, be courteous, and to take pride in the finished job.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Operations Manager

Timber Ridge Landscape and Design
Brewster
10.2021 - Current
  • Head Landscape Designer for new and seasonal plantings
  • Set and adhere to budget
  • Responsible for all estimates
  • Residential and commercial contracts
  • In charge of all day to day operations
  • Lead 2-5 full time employee's
  • In the field everyday working with crews
  • Tree work
  • Pruning (all hand done)
  • Installing new lawns and lawn repairs
  • Machine operator (excavator, front end loader, skid steere, kubota 4x4's, tractor, chainsaws, all lawn equiptment)
  • Snow plowing
  • Snow maintenance schedules
  • Drainage work
  • Teaching crews proper methods for fine gardening
  • Work with HOA boards on Landscape contracts
  • Site inspections
  • Storm cleanup
  • Employee reviews
  • Ordering all materials
  • Scheduling equiptment maintenance
  • Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
  • Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.

Caretaker

Private Estate/Farm
CT
02.2020 - 06.2021
  • Maintained physical appearance of a 70 acre estate with regularly scheduled landscaping and preventive maintenance
  • Performed minor carpentry and repair work
  • Executed basic maintenance and repair tasks, including interior and exterior painting and fixture repair
  • Winterise buildings, equipment, and materials to safeguard against damage
  • Set up and tore down chairs, tables, and equipment seasonally and for special events
  • Monitored and maintained security of premises, including access gates, building entries, and adjacent areas and other dwellings on property
  • Operated and maintained manual and power mowers, tractors, chainsaw's, blowers, weed-eaters, and edger's along with skid steer and plow/truck for snow removal
  • Kept properties maintained with regular preventive maintenance
  • Identified and quickly addressed any property requirements, closely following applicable regulations and owner requirements
  • Kept work areas clean, tidy, and free of debris and extremely organised at all times
  • Snow removal using plow truck and/or snow blower or shovelling and regular snow maintenance (salting-sanding)
  • Seasonal care of existing gardens and designing and installing new gardens
  • Care of horse on the property
  • Tree work-pruning-new plantings-removal of dead trees
  • Care and daily walk through of main house-2 large barns-work shop-2 guest houses
  • Fence repair as needed
  • Care of two dogs on property
  • Basic pool maintenance
  • Care of wildflower gardens
  • Seasonal arrangements for outside and inside of house
  • Seasonal holiday decor set up.

Owner/operator

Back Country Gardens
CT
01.1997 - 01.2020
  • Building client relations
  • Estimates
  • Proposals
  • Hands on designing and implementation of ideas
  • Ordering material

Construction Site Assistant

RM Contracting
New York
03.2008 - 07.2012
  • First on site/last off
  • Demolition/clean-up
  • Manage all deliveries-pick up and set up of all material
  • Overseeing and assisting sub contractors
  • Basic metal framing
  • Basic installation of doors
  • Interior painting.

Landscape Supervisor

Heritage Development Group
Somers
05.1998 - 02.2008
  • Responsible for ordering/purchasing materials and adhering to strict budget
  • Manage 5 - 20 employees daily
  • Design, install and maintain 70 - 100 condo units
  • Develop relations with growers and suppliers
  • Establish and maintain in-house nursery
  • Installation of new lawns/sod
  • Cleared out unattractive undergrowth at tree lines and fence rows
  • Planted flower beds and laid mulch in appropriate design
  • Improved shape and growth of trees, shrubs, and flowers with trimming
  • Participated in winter work projects to include snow plowing, shovelling, and removal
  • Kept lawns, gardens and flower beds healthy and thriving with climate-specific care
  • Stayed ready for all landscaping needs, keeping supplies and tools organised and clean
  • Helped team maintain compliance with specifications, standards, and contract requirements by inspecting completed work.

Education

Master Gardener certification -

University of Connecticut
Connecticut
01.2005

Completed coursework towards Criminal Justice -

West Liberty University
West Liberty, IA
01.1995

Skills

  • Gardening
  • Organic programs
  • IPM programs
  • Horticultural pruning
  • Fine gardening
  • Hand pruning
  • Garden stone work
  • Diagnosis of diseased plants
  • Diagnosis of diseased trees
  • Professional snow removal
  • Machine operations
  • Lawn repair
  • Lawn installation
  • Garden design
  • Interior painting
  • Exterior painting
  • Equipment operation
  • Landscape Maintenance
  • Tree Care
  • Mowing
  • Commercial mowing
  • Residential mowing
  • Septic work
  • Fence repair
  • Fence installation
  • Equine Experience
  • Pool Maintenance
  • Backhoe Operation
  • Heavy Equipment Operation
  • Master Gardener

Certification

Master Gardener

Personal Information

Willing To Relocate: 1

Timeline

Operations Manager

Timber Ridge Landscape and Design
10.2021 - Current

Caretaker

Private Estate/Farm
02.2020 - 06.2021

Construction Site Assistant

RM Contracting
03.2008 - 07.2012

Landscape Supervisor

Heritage Development Group
05.1998 - 02.2008

Owner/operator

Back Country Gardens
01.1997 - 01.2020

Master Gardener certification -

University of Connecticut

Completed coursework towards Criminal Justice -

West Liberty University
BRIAN SWANDER