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. His early days at Williams were first as a carpenter, quickly advancing to the carpenter shop foreman. 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 with his wife Michele, and their assortment of beloved animals.
Steven Frechette, Operations/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.
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.
Susan Pardoe, Horticulturist & Greenhouse Manager
Susan joined Countryside Landscape & Design in 2007 as the Purchasing Agent, in charge of purchasing all nursery plants, annuals, soils and fertilizer, including custom orders for clients. She monitors the after care of all trees and shrubs, and assists Herb Severs in diagnosing plant health issues, and basically enjoys helping plants thrive.
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.
Herb Severs, Lawn & Tree Application Specialist
Herb started as subcontractor for Countryside Landscape & Design in 1992, and then became an employee of the company in 2003. He specializes in lawn and tree applications, specifically: fertilization, insect, and disease control; and tick control. Herb is commercially licensed in Massachusetts and Vermont.
Herb possesses a degree in Business from Saint Joseph’s College.
Herb came to the United States from Germany in 1955.
Scott Higley, Lawn & Tree Application Assistant
Gregory Hoyt, Senior Field Manager
Craig Borden, Forestry Field Manager
Craig Borden joined the Countryside Landscape Team in 1994 as the first year-round employee. Craig now heads our Forestry 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 and his family moved to Bennington, Vermont in 1992. He began working for Countryside Landscape the following year. Craig was instrumental with developing the forestry department.
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’s favorite tree is the mighty oak. He jokes “remember, the mighty oak was once a nut that held its ground.” It also is strong, long-lived, and provides food and shelter for wildlife.
Craig is an expert in tree removal, tree cabling, summer and dormant pruning, shrub shearing and shaping, and bucket truck services. Do you have a question about tree care, pruning or removal? Craig is your man!
Shawn Nicklien, Installation & Project Field Manager
Kate Malloy, Maintenance Field Manager
Kate joined the Countryside Landscape team in an official capacity in 2014, having worked 3 years here while attending college. She heads the Maintenance Department as Field Manager, and loves the act of returning plant beds to their full beautiful glory after winter’s dormancy. She also enjoys the meditative process of caring for plants—dead heading, and maintaining plant health.
Prior to her employment at Countryside, Kate was employed by an Environmental Consulting Company the 2 years following college.
Kate possesses a Bachelor’s of Science from MCLA.
Kate is the proud mother of a beautiful daughter, and also shares her home with her favorite weiner dog, Oscar.
John Carpenter, Fleet Mechanic & Yard Manager
Debra Griffin, Office Administrative Coordinator & Technical Assistant
Debra has been with Countryside 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 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 Beetle Bailey, their little Shih Tzu canine companion. 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.
Tammy Rickert, Office Support Assistant