MEET THE TEAM / CORPORATE DIVISION
Sean Lander
Chief Financial Officer
ABOUT SEAN
Sean’s experience and education has helped facilitate and support a seamless transition during Empire’s rigorous growth. He continuously strives to build his knowledge and experience within the green industry while sticking to his principals.
Sean joined the Empire team in January 2015 and graduated from Marymount University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in both finance and accounting.
Blake Bingham
Operations Manager
ABOUT BLAKE
Experienced arborist of twelve years with a passion to preserve and appreciate the outdoors and the environment, as well as extensive operating skills with machinery, trucks, heavy and light equipment. Blake’s organization and management capabilities in overseeing and executing environmental plantings, site preparation, environmental restoration, tree care, and clearing projects, have landed him in Empire’s top managerial position as Operations Manager. Blake now oversees every division in Empire while still managing close relations with contractors and ensuring a quality project done to preserve the “Empire Way”.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- ISA Certified Arborist # MA-5717A
- MD Licensed Tree Expert LTE # 2092
- MD Professional Fertilizer Applicator PFA # 1986
- DEP LID Stormwater Facility Maintenance Contractor
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified RPC004451
- OSHA 30
- CPR, AED, and First Aid
Mike Pickett
General Manager
ABOUT MIKE
Career professional with 15 years of experience in all phases of environmental restoration. Mike’s new role as General Manager allows him to use his experience, knowledge, and problem-solving skills to keep all the divisions as efficient as possible while mentoring employees at every level. He continues to manage Empire’s fleet, develops quality training protocols and programs and safety is and always will be Mike’s #1 priority.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- Maryland Licensed Tree Expert LTE # 1961
- LCA Landscape Industry Certified (CLT)
- SHA/MDE Erosion & Sediment Control Certified Yellow Card #53753941 / RPC 004451
- DEP LID Stormwater Facility Maintenance Contractor
- OSHA 30
- CPR, AED, and First Aid
- USACE/NAVFAC Construction Quality Management WA9-01-22-500
- DC OPLA Operating Engineer Construction Equipment
Joe Stevens
Safety Manager
ABOUT JOE
Career outdoor and environmental educator, Joe utilized those skills to establish a second career with Empire. Having over 2 years of experience with Empire as a Project Superintendent, Joe has settled in as the Safety Manager. Working closely with the operations manager, CFO and the general manager to be a strong voice for the employees while managing recruitment, benefits and changes to procedures and policies to see the owner’s vision to fruition.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- Maryland Licensed Tree Expert LTE #2265
- OSHA-30 Certified
- CPR, AED, and First Aid
Gianfranco Demichelli
Human Resources
ABOUT GIANFRANCO
With more than 8 years of experience in the business communications and strategy with a strong focus on human resources including executive recruitment and operational/personnel management tools and strategy.
Gianfranco also bilingual in Spanish, joined the Empire team in November 2023 and graduated from University of Lima (Perú) with a bachelor’s degree in science of communication, specializing in business communications.
Karen Chen
Estimating/Sales Manager
ABOUT KAREN
Estimating team manager including project estimation, business development for new and existing clients and bid management. Dedicated to high levels of client satisfaction and meeting business goals. Karen joined the Empire Team in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from University of Maryland and an AA Degree in Business Management.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- MD Licensed Tree Expert LTE #2259
Camden Kent
Estimator
ABOUT CAMDEN
Camden came to Empire with an excellent background that includes a degree from UMD in Turf and Golf Course Management, 10 years of experience in commercial landscaping and 5 years working in estimating and construction of stormwater management and stream restoration. He came back to his Maryland roots after working for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection where he estimated, developed, and managed construction projects. Prior to that he worked as a project estimator for EQR where he gained valuable knowledge and rose to the position level that many take years to achieve. He has taken on new challenges with Empire as an estimator for all our divisions of production. Camden has made an immediate impact and we are excited about his future with the team.
Luke Rehr
Estimator
ABOUT LUKE
Luke was a welcomed addition to the Empire team in March of 2022. He has over a decade of project management and estimating experience with companies we have worked closely with including Angler Environmental, R.E.S (formerly Angler) and Bourn Environmental. With his knowledge of the industry, Luke will take our estimating team to new heights and give us an even bigger footprint in the environmental restoration field. Luke not only knows our scope of work but will be able to add to it and we are excited to see where his talents take us in the future.
Kelly Maszkiewicz
Compliance Administrator
ABOUT KELLY
Kelly has been working with Empire for over 10 years and has been a trustworthy and appreciated asset for the office administration. Her history and knowledge about Empire allows the administration to run smoothly and efficiently. She has been handling Certified Payroll, MBE Reporting, and many other reports for Empire, as well as numerous other office tasks that are completed in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Kelly joined the team in May 2011 after graduating from Paint Branch High School and has since gotten an associate degree in Game Design & Development.” We are truly thankful to have Kelly (and her mother!) as integral parts of the Empire team!
Bill Gahs
Purchaser
ABOUT BILL
Bill joined the Empire Landscape team in September 2022. He has been working in the Horticultural Industry his entire life. He grew up in a family-owned wholesale greenhouse business, then in his adult life, he went on to own a garden center, a landscape company, and through 3 decades of experience, he has acquired a vast knowledge of the ‘Green Industry’. He looks forward to using those skills and knowledge, specifically his experience as a purchaser, as well as the relationships he has forged with vendors and nurseries along the east coast, to make Empire Landscape as successful as can be!
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
- Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Training Program
- Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH)