About Us

Our Mission Statement:

Countryside Landscape & Design Inc is a Design-Build landscape company comprised of knowledgeable professionals dedicated to providing exceptional service to the residential and commercial communities that we serve.

Our Work Culture:

Our company’s success not only depends upon customer satisfaction, but also by the workplace satisfaction of our employees who carry out our vision. Countryside Landscape & Design Inc fosters a culture that allows our employees to thrive and grow.

Dan Barrett, Mowing Field Supervisor

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2015.

Dakota Bolte, Landscape Installation Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2020.

Craig Borden, Fine Pruning Field Supervisor

Craig Borden joined the Countryside Landscape & Design team in 1994 as the first year-round employee. Craig was head of our Forestry Department and now plays a key role in our Horticulture Department.

Craig has well over 3 decades of experience in arboriculture, starting his career with Bartlett Tree Experts in Connecticut. At Bartlett, he began as a grounds crewman, and worked his way up, gaining extensive training and experience. In 1989, Craig and the Bartlett’s Tree Restoration Team traveled to St. Croix, in the United States Virgin Islands, after Hurricane Hugo devastated the island. Craig and his team worked for 6 weeks to repair and restore the damaged trees.

Craig is an expert in tree removal, tree cabling, summer and dormant pruning, shrub shearing and shaping, and bucket truck services. Craig’s #1 tip for successful trees and shrubs is; “Pick the right shrub or tree for the right location. Too often I see plants that have outgrown their site, and it becomes a battle to maintain them.” Craig is also known to have rescued a few terrified cats from their lofty ascents into trees that they could not then descend from.

Craig and his family moved to Bennington, Vermont in 1992. He began working for Countryside Landscape the following year. Craig has been instrumental with developing the forestry department.

Bill Bostwick, Excavation Operator

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2014. Bill enjoys the people that he works with, and learning something new every day.

Ben Burgess, Landscape Installation Field Supervisor

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2018.

Jake Carpenter, Fleet Mechanic

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2018.

John Carpenter, Fleet Mechanic & Yard Manager

John came to Countryside Landscape & Design in 1999. He maintains a fleet of 35 trucks, 13 large mowers, over a dozen various heavy equipment vehicles, not to mention an assortment of push mowers, weed whackers, and other powered lawn equipment. John keeps us going by keeping the equipment running that we need for this landscape business.

He is a certified Vermont inspection mechanic, certified MVAC technician, a GM certified mechanic in engines and transmissions, and OSHA-10 certified.

Scott Chellis, Mowing Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2021.

Brandon Darling, Landscape Installation Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2019.

Michael Drew, Landscape Installation Crew

Mike has been with Countryside Landscape & Design since 2006. He enjoys working outside in the fresh air, and the physical aspect of the job; the dirty fingernails and sore muscles. He likes taking what he learns in his day’s work, and applying it at home in his own outdoor spaces.

Prior to coming here, Mike worked as an offset pressman in the printing industry for 23 years. Mike has three pets, a dog named Peter, and two cats, Patches and Tiger.

Steven Frechette, Project Manager, Estimation & Design

Steven joined the Countryside Landscape & Design team in 2017 as Landscape Designer and Project Manager. Steven’s approach to landscaping is to listen and fully understand the client’s needs. He applies a common sense approach in order to create a landscape that works while fulfilling the desires of his clients.

A life-long resident of the Berkshires, Steven attended Pittsfield High School, where he was introduced to Horticulture, and instantly realized that the landscaping industry was something that he was drawn to. A graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, he was given a solid foundation to start his career in Landscape Construction and Design. As a young man, he worked alongside his father, who was a Mason, thus gaining stone masonry skills which only bolstered his skill set in the field.

Steven enjoys the Berkshires to the fullest, hiking, kayaking, the theatre, and working in his vegetable garden.

Mike Fressola, Watering Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2010.

Ronnie George, Watering Crew

With Countryside Landscape & Design since 2004.

Debra Griffin, Office Administrative Coordinator & Technical Assistant

Debra has been with Countryside Landscape & Design since 2006, and is part of the office team. She has many roles…she maintains the client service lists, processes online payroll, manages employee records, and benefit contributions. In addition, she maintains the SDS files, AR, AP, and assists with the processing of state sales and use tax, just to name a few! Her favorite part of her position is assisting with technology, and finding ways to improve efficiency of work flow.

Prior to joining Countryside, Debra has held positions as Office Manager, Programs Coordinator, Counselor, Customer Service and AR Clerk.

She possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern Vermont College, and has participated in many continuing education programs in the years since.

She is the proud mother of one son, Max, and they share their home with their canine companion Beau. She is a 5K runner, as is her son, and is an active member of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life (2009), Team Jocelyn’s Rainbow of Hope. Debra also enjoys hiking, kayaking, knitting and crocheting.

Born in Bennington, VT, she grew up in Florida, returning to Bennington for her senior year of high school, and has been in the area ever since.

Mike “Haffy” Hafner, Fine Pruning Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2010, Mike is a man of many skills. Beyond the Forestry division, he has been an active part of many other divisions, including being our in-house carpenter. He happily participates in his work, giving 100%, and bringing his never ending humor to the work environment.

Prior to joining the Countryside Landscape & Design tribe, Mike was employed as a head foreman, building homes and log cabins, and even built his own barn. He takes great pride in his carpentry abilities, having originally been introduced to the building trades in high school.

Mike was born in Kingsbury, New York, and was raised on a dairy farm. As with any dairy farm operation, he learned how to operate various machinery and equipment, along with the daily caring for animals. He loves the outdoors, whether working, hunting, doing his own yard work, or sitting by the fire pit. He loves life, making people laugh, and spending time with his wife.

Brian Hanley, Landscape Installation Field Supervisor

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2019.

Josh Hartman, Tree Work Groundsman

Joined Countryside Landscape & Design in 2019.

Michelle Hartman, Maintenance Crew

Joined Countryside Landscape & Design in 2021.

Scott Higley, Lawn & Tree Applications Specialist Manager

Scott joined the Countryside Landscape & Design in 2017 following nine years as the Grounds Supervisor of Nauvoo, a historic site in Illinois. In 2019, Scott was promoted to the Manager position of our Lawn & Tree Applications division.

Scott holds a commercial pesticide license in Massachusetts, and is knowledgeable in the many specifically designed applications used to manage turf grass, ornamental plants and shade trees. Scott is also able to diagnose and prescribe solutions to plant diseases as well as insect infestations, including ticks.

Dwayne Howard, Lawn & Tree Application Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2013.

Gregory Hoyt, Yard Operator

Gregory is one of our longest term employees, having joined the team in 1993. He began as a mower, and over the years, has advanced to Yard Operator. Given his tenure with the company, his knowledge is wide reaching and essential.

Benjamin Hynes, Maintenance Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2020.

Madelyn Kocsis, Maintenance Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design Inc since 2021.

Dan Lamontagne, Operations & Project Manager

Dan joined the Countryside Landscape and Design team in 2018 as a Project Manager. He has since been promoted with the added role as our new Operations Manager in July 2019.

In his role as a Project Manager, Dan oversees projects of various scale, interacting and scheduling with field managers regarding job priorities, with the end desire to ensure that the high standards and workmanship of CSL&D are met in the field. As Operations Manager, he will facilitate the coordination and use of all resources, including labor, equipment, and materials, to ensure efficient use, and also actively participate in the development and refinement of departmental best practices.

Dan possesses a heavy equipment operators license, is a ICPI certified concrete paver installer, a NCMA certified segmental retaining wall installer, and a Berkshire County Board of Health Certified septic system installer. In the winter months, Dan is part of our plow team.

Prior to joining Countryside, Dan worked as a Green Industry Professional and is knowledgeable in all aspects of the field.

Dan and his wife Cristi have one son, Dan Jr. and share there small stone home with their two cats, Yo-Yo and Cece as well as their long hair chihuahua, Chimichanga. He is from Cape Cod but graduated from Mount Anthony Union High in Bennington Vermont. Dan attended Southern Vermont College and is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Dan enjoys tropical getaways, playing the drums and old jeeps.

Tom Livsey, Mowing Crew

Tom has been mowing and keeping lawns beautiful for Countryside Landscape & Design since 1993. Tom also lends a hand in spring & fall clean-ups.

Sharon Mahoney, Office Manager

Sharon joined the Countryside Landscape & Design team in 1995 as the only person in the office. Now the Office Manager, with a staff of 2, Sharon keeps all facets running smoothly, overseeing all the daily operations of the office from customer service to accounting. Sharon loves working with a diverse group of people, and demonstrates this with her warm and engaging personality.

Prior to working at Countryside, Sharon was employed in the green industry for 8 years.

A life-long resident of the area, she shares her home with her husband Tim and is the proud mom of 2 Papillion fur babies.

Dan Martindill, Lawn & Tree Applications Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2018.

Bella Massari, Field Supervisor of Garden Maintenance

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2019.

Brendan McClenachan, Tree Work Field Supervisor

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2020.

Arthur Morin, Mowing Crew

At Countryside Landscape & Design since 2018.

Susan Pardoe, Horticulturist

Susan joined Countryside Landscape & Design in 2007. Susan authors our monthly newsletters.

Prior to joining our team, Susan was a research assistant in developing Bio controls for small fruit production at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She was also the Greenhouse Manager for Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield.

Susan has a B.S. in Plant Pathology, and is a Massachusetts certified Horticulturist (MCH), with a concentration on ecology of landscape plants.

A native New Yorker, Susan grew up in New York City moving to Massachusetts in 1983. When not home growing orchids and tropical trees, Susan enjoys rides on her motorcycle. She shares her home with her husband, Steven, and their garden guard dog, Cooper.

Norman Quinn, Owner

Owner of Countryside Landscape & Design, since 2013, Norman first started as a Field Supervisor in 2000, after a long career with Williams College.

His time at Williams College spanned over 31 years, with his early days at the college as a carpenter, and quickly advancing to the carpenter shop foreman. The scope of his expertise continued to expand, as he gained more responsibilities, eventually supervising the grounds crews and overseeing all of the trade shops. This entailed the maintenance of the athletic fields, campus grounds (roughly 450 acres) in addition to overseeing the maintenance of all campus buildings (exterior painting, roofing, masonry). He continued to take on more, as a project manager of construction, and oversaw the logistics of special functions (set-ups for commencement, reunions and many other special college activities).

Norman possesses expertise in all facets of construction, excavation, landscaping design and installation. He possesses a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor’s license.

A Williamstown native, he has lived in the area his entire life, now residing in Pownal, Vermont.