About
Our Company
Rooted in Craftsmanship. Built on Trust.
Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service was founded by Booth Hemingway in 1979 with a passion for the outdoors, a lawnmower, a pickup truck, and a rented shed. What began as a small family business has grown into one of the region’s most respected landscape companies.
Today, clients trust us to care for some of New England’s most beautiful properties—from historic estates and coastal homes to commercial campuses and community spaces. Our work is grounded in craftsmanship, thoughtful service, and long-term stewardship of the landscapes we shape.
We believe in doing things the right way—with respect for the land, pride in our work, and genuine care for the people we serve. Whether building a stone wall, installing irrigation, maintaining mature trees, or planting gardens that will grow for generations, our commitment remains the same: quality work and lasting beauty.
It’s a philosophy that continues to define what we call the Piscataqua Difference.
Our Values
Our culture is guided by four core values: Family, Integrity, Excellence, and Fun.
These values shape how we work together and how we care for our clients. We believe strong relationships, clear communication, and accountability are essential to doing great work. When our team feels supported and proud of the work they do, it shows in every project we complete and every property we maintain.
The Team
Justin Gamester
President
Justin began with Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 1999 working summers while attending UNH’s Whittemore School of Business (now The Peter T. Paul School of Business). After receiving his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship, he joined Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service to help develop a sales & marketing strategy and assist in overall business development. Justin is very active in the communities we service though civic organizations, is a past chairman of the Snow & Ice Management Board of Directors and a nationally Certified Snow Professional (CSP). Over the years Justin has had his hand in most facets of the company and today is our Company President continuing to ensure his team delivers the service and quality our company was founded on.
Mike Graves
Chief Operations Officer
Mike joined our team in 2010. His many years as a salesman in the nursery trade have allowed him to develop valuable contacts important for finding the best plant stock available for our clients. In addition, his 17 years of experience running his own landscape business gives Mike a solid foundation of horticultural knowledge and management skills. Mike is a member of the National Concrete Masonry Association, a LiveRoof certified installer and active volunteer with the New Hampshire Landscape Association. He is certified by the International Concrete Paver Institute and earned a BA in Microbiology from UNH.
Jay Rotonnelli
Vice President of Business Development
Jay joined Piscataqua Landscaping in 2018. Having been in the industry for 28 years, Jay brings a lot of horticultural knowledge to the team through his education and experience. His primary role is Sales and Business Development here at Piscataqua, but helps fill other roles within the team throughout the year. Jay carries a NH Supervisory Pesticide License, serves on the NH Green Snow Pro Salt Symposium planning committee, and the national association SIMA’s (Snow and Ice Management Association) education committee. He also has the designation of Advanced Snow Manager through SIMA. Throughout his career he has created a lot of great relationships with not only his clients but his peers as well, and that shows through with his day to day activity.
Emily McNeil
Vice President of Human Resources
Emily joined Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 2019 and has been in the Human Resource profession for over 10 years, in a variety of industries. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design and Art History and received her Human Resource Management Certification through the University of Southern Maine. Emily’s role oversees HR for each of the Piscataqua locations, and she thrives on the fast paced, fun and challenging environment that PLTS provides. If you ask her any day of the week what her favorite part of her job is, she’ll tell you: ‘My favorite part of my job is the people I get to work with, learn from and interact with each day.’
Jess DeNuzzio
Chief Administrative Officer
Jess has been with the company since 2012 and is responsible for day-to-day office operation. She works closely with the company executives to meet the company’s organizational and management needs and is the liaison for Human Resources. Jess graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in psychology, where she was also an active member of the Division I women’s lacrosse program.
Andrew Crisi
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew brings a strong background of finance and accounting to his role at Piscataqua Landscaping. Prior to joining Piscataqua, Andrew served as a Principal at a private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing small-and-medium sized businesses, primarily in the business services sector. His first job was bookkeeping for his family’s excavation business and he’s excited to return the construction industry.
Previously, Andrew worked as an M&A Advisor at PwC where he executed financial due diligences and led cross-functional diligence workstreams to advise clients through complex transactions. Andrew began his career in public accounting at Deloitte.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, a Master of Science in Accountancy from Wake Forest University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Tessa Boyce
Sales Professional
Tessa started landscaping in 2005 while living on Cape Cod and has worked in many areas of the landscaping industry throughout New England and New York State. Tessa joined the maintenance division at Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 2015 as a pruning crew member. Since then she has worked as an Account Manager in the maintenance division and is currently a member of our sales team. Tessa received a degree in building trades with a masonry major from SUNY Alfred State College in New York.
Mark Hogan
Sales Professional
Mark’s love of the “natural world” led him to a career working in the agricultural and horticultural industry. In 1984, Mark started working on fine homes as a Stone Mason. He honed his craft by taking horticultural classes at the Arnold Arboretum and construction management classes at the Wentworth Institute of Technology. He joined our team in 1989 as a stone mason foreman. For the past 30 years, Mark has worked in all facets of landscape construction with some of the best landscape architects and fine home builders on the Seacoast. Mark is our lead construction estimator and handles sales and management for the construction division.
Michael Skeats
Senior Sales Professional
Michael is a sales professional with Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service with decades of industry experience. He enjoys the outdoors and the challenges that the landscape world brings. Michael believes in developing strong relationships as the foundation of everything he does, both professionally and personally.
Susann Heller
Sales Professional/ Designer
Susann Heller discovered her gift early in life, which is her critical eye for design, balance, colour and the appreciation, recognition & arrangement of patterns in nature.
Throughout her childhood, Susann played in the forest surrounding her CT home, which inspired her passion for the beauty of nature. As she matured, she became fascinated by the city and was drawn to Manhattan, where she studied fine art and was awarded a BFA with a minor in Biology. She used her fashion sense to dress every mannequin on 5th Avenue, eventually becoming more involved in Retail Store Design & Visual Merchandising and display.
As she pivoted her creative focus, she was in demand for her interior design skills and went on to study and earn her degree in Interior Design and run her own Manhattan based design business, specializing in Hospitality & Senior Living.
As the years passed, she was able to recognize & connect both her analytical side along with her creative eye and started to extend her interiors beyond their walls and into the outdoors.
Her Landscape Designs are environmentally distinctive, lush & ecologically balanced, as well as customized for each individual client. She studied native cultivar gardening & horticulture with Master Gardener Linda Lilly from Connecticut College, where she expanded her Landscape Design skills.
She has designed & planted in (5) States including the shorelines of CT, RI, NY Hamptons, NY Hudson Valley, CA, NC and now resides in the forests of NH, servicing the villages surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee and the ME & NH Seacoast as part of the Piscataqua family.
Susann has gone full circle in her life, once again finding the peace & tranquility of nature as a way to relax and remain inspired. Her life’s mission is to bring beauty into the lives of others.
Scott Langmaid
Sales Professional
Scott joined Piscataqua Landscaping in the fall of 2023 as a project manager for the Wolfeboro and Belmont branches in the Lakes Region. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry covering all aspects of landscaping. Scotts current passion is with Hardscaping and working hand in hand with his talented crews and with various Landscape and General Contractors in and around the Lakes Region. Scott is a certified Techo Pro installer and a NH Green SnowPro applicator. Scott’s talent and knowledge in the landscape industry helps propel Piscataqua’s growing brand in the lakes region. When Scott is not a work he enjoys Camping, attending his stepson Camerons football and baseball games as well as spending time with family.
Rob Stephens
Branch Manager – Belmont & Wolfeboro, NH
Rob joined Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 2021 as the branch manager for the Lakes Region branch in Wolfeboro, NH. Rob brings 25 plus years of experience, hard work, and dedication to the green industry. His skills, networking, and drive to excel in customer service will be a great fit for the company brand and the growth in the Lakes Region. A graduate from the Thompson School at the University of NH in 1998, he has gained real-life experience owning his own small company and the core values he still upholds for industry standards, employee relations and customer service are still the key factor in his daily decision making. Rob has been involved extensively in the retail garden center industry for the past 10 years and has made a lot of very valuable networking connections that will be invaluable in his position. In the past Rob has been an active board member over the past several years for local community development organizations and other nonprofits.
He is always willing to lend a hand to help where ever he is needed. Rob lives with his wife and two kids in Meredith New Hampshire. When he isn’t working, he enjoys coaching basketball, being on the lake, snowmobiling and working around the house on landscaping projects.
Mike Wakefield
Construction Division Manager
Mark Peterson
Grounds Maintenance Manager
Mark is coming from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, where he has worked for 14 years as a forest and park supervisor. At his previous career, Mark, was a steward for many of Massachusetts’ most beloved and busiest state parks. This gave him the experience needed to hit the ground running. He is a UNH graduate and fell in love with the seacoast during his studies, prompting him to remain in the area and grow his family. Service has been the guiding principle of Mark’s professional life and he is ready to provide our clients with the highest level of care.
Derek Young
Irrigation and Lighting Manager
Chris Kemp
Tree & Plant Health Care Manager
Chris has been involved in tree care for over 30 years. He is a Certified Arborist in New Hampshire, a Licensed Arborist in Maine, is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), and has a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). He has a Masters Degree in Urban Forestry and Bachelor’s degrees in Horticulture and Economics. He is a member of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the Maine and New Hampshire Arborist Associations (MAA and NHAA). Although he is licensed to use pesticides in New Hampshire and Maine, he uses many alternative controls to improve plant health. When not tending to trees, you can find him in his garden, surfing or spending time with his family.
Lucy Rakocy
Branch Manager – Portland/Topsham
As General Manager of the Portland and Topsham branches of Piscataqua, Lucy brings over 15 years of experience managing businesses in the services industry, with a focus on leading distributed workforces. She is responsible for generating exceptional outcomes for customers and the business—which she believes starts with building an employee-first culture. While Lucy is deeply committed to operational excellence and team development, she’s well known by her colleagues for her outside-of-the box ideas—some that spark innovation, others that spark laughter, and many that do both. In her free time, she finds joy in nature on the hiking trail and creativity in the kitchen, where she loves bringing people together over great food and conversation.
Dan Wood
Director of Operations, Portland
Dan Wood serves as Director of Operations for Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Company, overseeing operations out of the Portland and Topsham branches. With a career that began in the field, Dan brings hands-on experience in both landscape maintenance and construction to his leadership role. He previously served as Construction Operations Manager, where he helped streamline processes and drive project success from the ground up. Dan holds a certification as an Advanced Snow Manager from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) and is certified in erosion control, underscoring his technical expertise across multiple service areas. Dan balances the demands of the job with a love for the outdoors—he’s an avid hunter and, perhaps unexpectedly, has a soft spot for bunnies.
Andrew D’Amour
Account Manager
A native of South Portland Maine, Andrew came to Piscataqua Landscaping with an associate’s degree in Horticulture from Southern Maine. This was here where his admiration for turf and landscaping started. His early career began at Purpoodock Country Club in Cape Elizabeth Maine, where he was a full-time grounds employee. He later accepted an Assistant Superintendent position at Manchester Country club, where he obtained his turf pesticide license. Looking for a change of pace, Andrew transitioned into the commercial landscape industry with us in 2013. From 2013 to the present his career is split between Piscataqua Landscaping and Mainscape Inc. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Here at PLTS, he has worked in Maintenance, irrigation, tree, and construction with a desire for learning every aspect of the industry. When Andrew is not working he enjoys spending time his wife and his two sons at their home New Hampshire.
Frank Luther
Account Manager
Frank has rejoined the Piscataqua team to take on the role of account manager. He started in the Landscape industry right out of high school and after a couple years decided that this was the career for him. He went through the Plant and Soil Program at SMTC in South Portland. During his 30 plus years in the industry he had the privilege of working in many diverse rolls.
Frank is a nationally certified Irrigation Contractor & Irrigation Technician. Frank lives in North Berwick with his daughter and wife of almost 30 years. When not working Frank enjoys working on his property. Frank has been manicuring golf greens at the Sanford County Club on weekends since 2005. When asked why he wakes at 4am on his days off to work at the country club, he says that there is nothing like seeing the stars in the wide-open sky and watching the sun rise to help you realize how small you are in relation to the universe.
Mike Malizia
Account Manager
Mike brings close to 30 years of experience in the green industry, along with snow and ice management expertise. He is an Alumni of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in business. He takes great pride in managing premier landscapes accounts throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts , both residential and commercial. Recently, Mike earned certificates for (ASM) Advanced Snow Manager designation with SIMA. He attends annual seminars with topics on snow and ice management, sustainable salt usage and training for OSHA safety, along with professional courses related to Plant Identification and Ornamental Pruning. Mike enjoys working with his clients with their green space available to create new landscapes and hardscapes, while ensuring the existing ones are maintained and manicured.
John Ockerbloom
Account Manager
John has been active with local area businesses and in the global business community for more than 36 years. He has a BS in Forest Resources, minor in Entomology, from the University of New Hampshire and has worked for the USDA Forest Service in timber land management in California and as a research assistant for the USDA at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of NH. For 23 years John was Managing Director and lead consultant of an international commercial marketing consultancy and author of numerous specialized global strategic studies.
His clientele included a long list of internationally known people of Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies.
When not working he enjoys being outdoors, on the water or in the woods. He is also a nationally recognized author, collector and authority on the American Civil War. He has lived and raised a family in the local southern Maine community for the past 38 years.
Jacob Spaulding
Safety Coordinator
Jacob was born in Maryland but raised in New Hampshire. He has over 25 years of experience in the field operating heavy equipment on landscaping projects and commercial snow removal. He began his career at Tri-City Lawn Care where he grew his career and was a Forman for many years. After the owner passed away, Jacob joined us at Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 2016. He began his career at PLTS as a Forman and worked his way up to being an Account Manager at the beginning of 2022. Jacob takes pride in all his properties, and it shows in his work. When he is not working as an Account Manager, he enjoys spending time with his busy family, which includes his wife, their two children and three adopted siblings.
Melissa Verkade
Fine Gardening Coordinator
Josh Noiles
Account Manager
Aaron Soucy
Account Manager
Aaron grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, but he has lived between New Hampshire and Maine for the past 10 years. His interest in landscaping began at an early age, as his father was meticulous in his yard and lawn care routine. He adopted this mentality and brought it to his first full time landscaping position at Terra Lawns Landscaping in 2008.
He began his career at Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service in 2013 as a lawn maintenance crew member. Aaron was promoted to crew leader the following year. He explored other opportunities in brief intervals but returned in an Account Manager role in 2023. Aaron brings knowledge of lawn maintenance, garden maintenance, and pruning to the team. He spends his free time with his wife and daughter.
Bill Flagg
Account Manager
Bill came from Outside Unlimited where he got his start as an Account Manager. Bill fell in love with landscaping his senior year in high school where he began to mow lawns for the neighbors. This gave him the experience needed to hit the ground running. He attended college at NHTI, where he played baseball and was majoring in Criminal Justice. After spending the summer working for a landscape company, Bill decided to continue his journey in the landscape industry after spending his first summer slinging a weed whacker around. Bill spent a few years at Seacoast Turf Care where he received his NH, Maine, and Massachusetts Pesticide Lawn Applicator Licenses. Bill resides in North Hampton NH with his wife, 2 dogs and couple of ducks.
Tim LeMien
Account Manager
With 30 years of experience in the landscape industry around the Lakes Region, Tim brings a hands-on, people-first approach to maintaining beautiful & healthy outdoor spaces. As a Maintenance Account Manager, Tim works closely with clients and field teams to ensure every property receives consistent care, clear communication, and attention to detail.
Tim takes pride in building long-term relationships, proactively addressing site needs, and making sure expectations are not just met, but exceeded. Being outdoors is where Tim feels most at home-whether walking properties, problem solving in the field, or enjoying hiking and sports in my free time. That genuine love for the outdoors shows in the care Tim brings to every landscape he manages.
Katie Skilling
Landscape Maintenance Operations Manager
With over 15 years of experience in the green industry, Katie Skilling brings both hands-on field expertise and strong leadership skills to her role as Manager of Landscape Maintenance Operations. Having worked her way up from Field Supervisor into management, Katie has a deep, firsthand understanding of the challenges and rewards of landscape work. She’s passionate about supporting team growth and education and creating a culture where people take pride in their work. Katie also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, Health and Fitness from University of Southern Maine and an Advanced Snow Manager certification from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family at her camp on Little Sebago lake in Gray.
Elicia Kennedy
Director of Account Management, Portland
Elicia is the Director of Accounts for the Portland and Topsham branches, where she focuses on building strong client relationships and ensuring a positive customer experience. With a degree in horticulture from Southern Maine Community College and experience as a former landscaping business owner, Elicia is able to tap into her deep industry knowledge to deliver personalized and impactful solutions for clients.
Jamie Parker
Account Manager
With over a decade in landscaping and snow management, Jamie Parker is ASM certified through SIMA and brings a strong operational background and customer-focused approach to her role as Account Manager. Passionate about short track racing and always up for time with her dog Floyd, Jamie puts heart into everything she does—on and off the job.
Brian Parmalee
Account Manager
Brian has grown with Piscataqua for eight years, working his way from shoveling snow to leading crews and now managing client accounts. He thrives on the variety each day brings and is inspired by the team’s continuous hard work. Outside of work, you’ll find Brian fishing at sunrise and spending the rest of the day with his family.
Benoit Crowell
Maintenance Operations
With over 10 years of experience in the landscaping industry, Benoit has built a strong foundation of expertise, working his way up from crew member to Account Manager. Benoit has spent the last 5 years as an Account Manager where he honed his skills in managing client relationships and overseeing many beautiful properties on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
A proud Laconia native, Benoit graduated in 2009 and served in the United States Army from 2009 to 2012, where he developed discipline and leadership skills that he continues to apply in his career. After his service, Benoit attended the Golf Academy of America from 2013 to 2014, furthering his passion for golf and the green industry.
When he’s not working, you can find him on the golf course, coaching lacrosse, or spending quality time with his family.
Mike Bunnell
Account Manager
Mike joined PLTS through our acquisition of Community Landscape in 2021 and has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a strong knowledge of landscape maintenance and construction. Serving as an Account Manager at our Lakes Region branch, Mike brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the landscape industry to his leadership role.
Born and raised in Wolfeboro, NH Mike developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors at an early age. His passion for turf management and landscaping began in high school while working summers as a grounds employee at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. That early experience laid the foundation for a career built on dedication, craftsmanship, and pride in creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces.
Over the course of his career, Mike has worked in many aspects of the landscaping field — from maintenance and irrigation to serving as foreman on hardscape construction projects. His well-rounded background, firsthand experience and local knowledge give him a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and client service sides of the business. Known for his strong work ethic and exceptional attention to detail, Mike consistently delivers high-quality results while building lasting relationships with clients.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
Mark Peabody
Project Manager
Barry Brado
Construction Operations
For more than 25 years, Barry has been managing landscape projects throughout the Lakes Region, bringing a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and genuine passion for outdoor environments to every job. From Lancaster, NH, Barry is valued for building lasting client relationships, mentoring crews, and ensuring projects run smoothly from start to finish. His deep industry knowledge and steady leadership style make him a go-to resource for clients and colleagues alike.
When he isn’t working, he enjoys hunting and fishing and heading north to the family farm in Coos County.
Heather Parker-Jones
Human Resources Specialist
Heather began her journey with Piscataqua Landscaping and Tree Service (PLTS) in the spring of 2025. After several years in the healthcare industry, she sought a career change and found that human resources aligned more closely with her professional interests across various fields. Following her experience in the manufacturing sector’s HR department, she was drawn to PLTS, where she recognized that a strong family and team-oriented culture forms the foundation of success. Heather values intentionality in her work and is committed to contributing to the growth and success of a dynamic organization such as PLTS. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading in tranquil environments, and creating meaningful experiences with friends.
A Culture of Care
At Piscataqua, our values—Family, Integrity, Excellence, and Fun—shape the way we work together and the way we care for the landscapes entrusted to us. They also influence how we show up in the communities we serve.
We regularly invite our team to share the organizations and initiatives that matter most to them, helping guide where we invest our time and support. It’s one more way our culture of care extends beyond the properties we maintain to the people and places that make our region home.
Team-Led Giving
We regularly poll our team to identify the causes and organizations that matter most to them, ensuring our community involvement reflects the people who make Piscataqua what it is.
Local Partnerships
From community organizations to regional initiatives, we support efforts that strengthen the places where we live and work.
Hands-On Support
Our team is proud to contribute time, resources, and expertise to projects that help our communities thrive.