Team Members
At Puryear Farms, we make customer service and personal relationships a top priority. For assistance, please contact anyone on the management team below.
John Puryear
Owner/CEO
Years in Profession: 35
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Visionary – Strategic Planning
- Community engagement
- Developing processes and policies
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I started this business in 1991 after graduating from college and working for a small landscaper for a couple of years to gain valuable field experience. We started with one crew and two trucks and have grown into a professional organization employing over 120 employees. Consequently, I have worn many hats over the years as the business evolved. I am most proud of the fact that we have built a collaborative, team led, open book organization built upon the seven core values that serve as the bedrock of our organization.
Certifications:
- National Association of Landscape Professionals
- Landscape industry certified business manager – 2019
- Licensed general contractor – State of Tennessee ID#50495
- NDS Professional drainage contractor – 2023
- NALP Trailblazer – mentoring other business owners
Alma Mater & Degree(s): B.S. Ornamental Horticulture & Landscape Design – University of Tennessee- Knoxville
Favorite Core Value: Respect – Mutual respect is the basis for all professional conduct in business. It enables us to work together to achieve common goals.

Laura Puryear
Special Projects
Years in Profession: 35
Highlight of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Plant catalog revisions and sourcing
- Special projects
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: John and I started the business together in 1991 after both earning our degrees in Ornamental horticulture at U.T. Knoxville and briefly working for other landscape companies for a couple of years. I have worn many different hats over the years as the company evolved from a small one-crew operation into a large complex organization. With a passion for plants and an interest in new varieties, my role is primarily updating and improving the selection of materials we use in our projects.
Alma Mater & Degree(s): B.S. Ornamental Horticulture & Landscape Design – University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Favorite Core Value: Family Atmosphere – It suggests a level of trust and familiarity between coworkers who support one another both personally and professionally.

Michael Marvin
Sales Manager
Years in Profession: 25 in Landscape/Construction industry. 16 years at Puryear Farms.
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities: I manage a 5-person team of sales professionals who provide estimates/pricing for a wide variety of services. I serve on the company’s strategic leadership team which helps create annual budgets, create and implement new processes, and assist with setting the strategic vision of the company as a whole. Establish long-term relationships with local Developers and Builders.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I worked for a small landscape company before joining Puryear Farms in 2008 as a crew member. I was quickly promoted to the role of crew leader in 2009. I was promoted to the role of project management in 2011 and transitioned to sales associate within a couple of years. I became the sales manager in 2017 which is the position I hold today.
Alma Mater & Degree(s): BS in Business Management/HR – Western Kentucky University (2007)
Favorite Core Value: Accountability – Where would we be without it? This simple word carries more weight than you can possibly imagine. If your entire team understands the seriousness associated with this term and truly practices the art of being accountable, you will succeed.

Rob Ary
Operations Manager
Years in Profession: 25
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Lead the management teams of maintenance, install and service departments
- Coordinate scheduling of projects and tasks with the sales and department teams
- Implement onboarding and safety programs for company employees
- Serve on the company strategic planning team representing the operations departments
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I started my green industry career as an assistant golf course superintendent for 4 years and then spent 14 years working with other lawn and landscape companies in a variety of roles before joining Puryear Farms in 2017 as the landscape installation department manager. I was promoted to operations manager in 2021 overseeing all of the maintenance, installation, and service department operations. I serve on the company’s strategic leadership team assisting with the development of budgets, developing new policies and procedures, and helping to develop long-range strategic goals for the company.
Certifications:
- NALP Certified Landscape Industry Manager
- CMHA – Segmental Retaining Wall Certification
- State of TN Pesticide License – Horticulture, Landscape and Turf
- State of TN Pesticide Applicators Certification – Category 3
Alma Mater & Degree(s): BS Agriculture in Grounds Management – University of Tennessee at Martin
Favorite Core Value: Results-oriented – There is no better feeling than completing a project no matter how big or small that exceeds the customer’s expectations and knowing that the customer will call again for their next project.

Matthew Zarichansky
Sr. Maintenance Sales Associate
Years in Profession: 18
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- New commercial and HOA maintenance sales
- Account renewals
- Contract changes and property enhancements
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I began my working career in culinary arts. Through school and work experience, I earned the title of executive chef. As the time came to start a family, I quickly realized that working nights, weekends, and holidays was not what I wanted. The choice to be able to spend more time with my family started the path to where I am now. I joined Puryear Farms in 2006 as a crew member and was quickly promoted to the role of crew leader. Later I was promoted to the role of Chemical spray technician. In 2009 I became assistant manager of the Maintenance division. In 2011 I was promoted to lead the maintenance dept for several years. I transitioned to the role of maintenance business development and sales in 2018, which is the position I currently hold with the company.
Certifications:
- Certified Chemical Spray Technician
- Certified Level One Irrigation Designer
Alma Mater & Degree(s): Associates degree in Specialized Technology – ITT Tech Pittsburgh PA
Favorite Core Value: It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll pick 2! Accountability and Respect – I want to be respected by my peers and my customers and the way I do that is to always try and show you respect. I’ll always give you honest answers to your questions, and I take responsibility for the words that come out of my mouth. You could bet if I said it, I would fight to make it happen.

Tommy Nichols
Residential Sales
Years in Profession: 11 years in landscaping, 5.5 years in sales and design
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- New faces and puzzles daily
- Creative freedom, within a client’s vision
- Full interaction with clients from vision to satisfaction
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I was a golf course assistant superintendent before coming to work for Puryear Farms in 2019. The work schedule required in the golf industry was not very compatible with my home life. Now that I have a family, Puryear Farms systems have allowed me to be around them more frequently.
Alma Mater & Degree(s): Bachelors Turf and Golf Course Management – Western Kentucky University
Favorite Core Value: Respect – Treat others as you would like to be treated; it causes you to think before acting or speaking.

James Puryear
Commercial Sales
Years in Profession: 12
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Estimating and bidding
- Large-scale irrigation designs
- Sales communications
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I grew up in the business, gaining experience across multiple roles, which has given me valuable insight into all our processes as the company has grown over the years. I started working for the company in high school and worked several summers on a mowing crew running a string trimmer. After graduating from college, I joined the business as a sales associate in 2020. I have completed several advanced courses in irrigation, enabling Puryear Farms to install advanced state-of-the-art irrigation systems. I have overseen the installation of multiple million-dollar projects, each dynamic and highly complex. I serve on the company’s strategic leadership team helping to develop long-range budgets, new processes and policies, and develop a long-range strategic vision for the company.
Certifications:
- Certified Irrigation Contractor, ID#243095
- Landscape Industry Certified Business Manager
- Hunter Core Product Specialist
- Certified Irrigation Designer, ID#243095
- General Landscape/Turf (General)
- Residential/Commercial (Specialty)
Alma Mater & Degree(s): Bachelors Of Science in Business – Operations – Tennessee Tech
Favorite Core Value: My favorite core value is being results-oriented. For me, this isn’t just a job—it’s about building a future I’m proud of. I take pride in our team’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, knowing that our commitment to quality is what sets us apart. Being part of such a skilled team makes our work something I can truly enjoy and take pride in every day.

Andrew Gammon
Supply Chain Manager
Years in Profession: 12
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- My responsibilities overall are to make sure we have the right equipment and materials to get the job done.
- Manage the “home base team”; this includes purchasing, logistics, nursery team and fleet team
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: Prior to working for Puryear Farms, I worked for five years with Site One Landscape Supply as the Irrigation and Nursery Department manager. I joined Puryear Farms in 2020 as the assistant nursery manager where I trained under the former nursery manager. I became the manager of the nursery in 2021 and then was promoted to the role of Supply chain manager in 2022 overseeing purchasing, inventory, fleet management, Equipment acquisition, and facilities management. I also serve on the company’s strategic leadership team which helps create budgets, new policies and processes, and assists with setting the strategic vision of the company as a whole.
Alma Mater & Degree(s):
- Undergraduate Degree in Agriculture Science with a concentration in Agriculture Business – Tennessee Technological University
- Master’s Degree in Agriculture Science with a concentration in Horticulture – Western Kentucky University
Favorite Core Value: My favorite Core Value is Family Atmosphere. I believe we are all valued and supported. You can feel the family-oriented culture when you walk into this place whether it is being greeted in the morning or carrying on a conversation. We communicate well, show love, show appreciation, respect each other, cooperate and spend time together.

Alejandro Fernandez
Installation Department Project Manager
Years in Profession: 16
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities: We have such an amazing group of people that I get to work with every day. We all as a group always work together to make everyone’s job easier while teaching and learning something new every day. I have learned so many things to help me be a better asset to the company.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: Through high school, I worked for a golf course in the maintenance department. In 2009, I joined Puryear Farms as a crew member in the Maintenance Department. After a couple of seasons, I was promoted to crew leader. In 2013, I was promoted to Maintenance Department Manager. After working with the Maintenance Department for 3 years, I joined the Install Department to become a Project Manager. In October 2021, I was voted as the MVP of the Month on behalf of Goodall Homes. In 2021, I was awarded Employee of the Year.
Certifications:
- PICP Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers
- NDS Professional Drainage Contractor
Favorite Core Value: My favorite core value is Family Atmosphere. I have met many friends working at Puryear Farms and have made a lot of friends.

Nick McEntyre
Installation Project Manager
Years in Profession: 18
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities: A highlight of my current role is I enjoy seeing the transformation of a job from start to finish. The finished product brought to life from a piece of paper is cool to see. Another highlight is that we have a great group of guys in the installation department who are hardworking, they are great with problem-solving, and I learn something new from them every day.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: At my previous job, I was in Landscape Maintenance and turf maintenance over soccer complexes. I was able to learn many different skills ranging from turf health of warm season grasses to irrigation and landscape lighting, landscape installation of new plants, and many other things. I joined Puryear Farms in 2019 as a crew leader of an installation crew. I worked in that role for a full year to gain valuable field experience with the company before being promoted to the role of project manager overseeing several crews. I was named employee of the year in 2021 by my co-workers.
Certifications:
- CMHA Certified Concrete Paver Installer
- CMHA Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement
- Keystone Authorized Contractor
- NDS Professional Drainage Contractor
- FX Luminaire Product Specialist
Favorite Core Value: Family Atmosphere is my favorite core value because it’s what we embody in the installation department. At Puryear Farms, I have formed lifelong friendships. We work well together and enjoy activities like fishing and golfing together outside of work.

Omar Martinez
Senior Account Manager
Years in Profession: 14
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Proud to have helped grow the maintenance department over the last 6 years, going from 6 mowing crews and 1 shrub bed crew back in 2018 when I was hired, to 14 mowing crews and 2 shrub bed crews during mowing season in 2024.
- 2020 Employee of the Year Award
- In charge of 25-30 maintenance accounts
- Supervise crews’ efficiency, quality, and productivity
- Schedule all maintenance subcontracted work such as mowing, mulching, bush-hogging, and tree services.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: Before Puryear Farms I worked at a golf course for 8 years, working my way up the ladder from Turf Crew Member to Assistant Super Intendant meeting and exceeding the high expectations of the Membership. I joined Puryear Farms in 2018 as an account manager. In the 6 years I’ve been with Puryear Farms I have gained a tremendous amount of experience in landscaping as well as learned many things that have helped me succeed in my role as Senior Account Manager.
Favorite Core Value: Optimism is my favorite core value because an optimistic manager can inspire and motivate their team. A positive outlook helps boost morale, making employees more engaged and productive.

Harold G. Watson III
Account Manager
Years in Profession: 6
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Interacting with customers and solving issues in their community or with individual residents.
- Working with crews that embody the core values at Puryear Farms.
- Seeing the final product of a freshly striped lawn, newly built patio, or an annual flower bed planting. Seeing a job well done is the best part of my job.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I worked in the tree maintenance industry for 3 years. First as a technician for the utility companies applying tree growth regulators. Then I moved to the position of Consulting Arborist. Working with utility companies to ensure tree health, and inspecting trees treated with growth regulators. Seeking a better life for my family, we moved to Tennessee in 2022 where I joined Puryear Farms as a crew member on a maintenance crew. I was promoted to lead a crew for a year before becoming a maintenance account manager in 2023.
Alma Mater & Degree(s): Bachelor of Plant Science and Health – California State University Fresno
Favorite Core Value: Family Atmosphere – From the front office to the crews in the field we all work together to accomplish our goals and create an atmosphere based on diligence, respect, and work ethic.

Matt Osborne
Maintenance Account Manager
Years in Profession: 12
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Schedule all maintenance for 16 crews
- Quality control checks after services
- Communication with customers, HOA boards, and property management groups.
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: Received a State of Tennessee Beautification award as part of the maintenance crew at Moss Wright Park in 2017 when working for the city. I joined Puryear Farms in 2018 as a maintenance crew leader. Later, I was promoted to the role of chemical spray technician with the company. In 2024, I was promoted to the role of Maintenance account manager.
Certifications:
- C03 Certified Pesticide Applicator
- CPR & First Aid
Favorite Core Value: Accountability is an important value for individuals, but when an entire group commits to it, everyone benefits. When this culture of accountability flows from leadership down to everyone in the organization, it creates an environment that is set up for success.

Jessicca Clark
Office Manager
Years in Profession: 8
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Finance
- Accounts Receivable
- Software & Systems Management
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I worked for H&R Block as a tax professional for a year before joining Puryear Farms in 2018 as an administrative assistant. I quickly took on more responsibilities including A/P and customer communications managing the CRM process. I was promoted to office manager in 2024. I serve on the company’s strategic leadership team which helps create the budget, develop and implement new processes, and assist with strategic planning.
Alma Mater & Degree(s): Associate’s degree in Accounting from Vol State Community College, graduated with Honors
Favorite Core Value: Family atmosphere – It is nice coming to a job where I feel like I am surrounded by family who supports me both personally and professionally.

Jessica Baker
Payroll/HR
Years in Profession: 1
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Process company payroll
- Manage recruiting
- Manage group insurance and company benefits
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I previously worked in the healthcare field before joining Puryear Farms 2023 in the role of front desk receptionist and general office assistant. I quickly took on more responsibilities including payables and CRM management before being promoted to manage H.R., payroll, and recruiting.
Favorite Core Value: Family Atmosphere because everyone is eager to help and support one another, which leads to a good work environment.

Greg Jones
Tech Division Manager
Years in Profession: 16
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Managing Irrigation Service Department
- Managing Turf Health Services
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I worked for a smaller landscape company before joining Puryear Farms in 2013. I initially worked as a crew member and then was quickly promoted to lead a crew. I was later promoted to the role of chemical spray tech for several seasons and was named Employee of the Year in 2017. Later I was promoted to the role of maintenance account manager and was then promoted to run the entire service tech division in 2024.
Certifications:
- C3 Commercial Applicator Certification
Favorite Core Value: Accountability – I believe this is a very important core valve because it reminds us that we need to be accountable not only for our work, but also for what we say our team members will complete.

Jiahn Contreras
Purchasing Assistant
Years in Profession: 2
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
- Assist in sourcing material for upcoming projects
- Building strong relationships with vendors
- Assist in inventory management
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: In my previous career, I helped establish new propagation techniques, vastly reducing the mortality of plant material and increasing production. I was also an inventory specialist and logistics team member in various large and small companies, with a focus on attention to detail.
Favorite Core Value: Work Ethic – Seeing the tangible results of what happens when every member of a team works diligently is the most rewarding aspect of this job.

Corrine Richels
Corrine Richels
Years in Profession: 6
Highlights of Current Role & Responsibilities:
-
Residential maintenance and enhancement sale
Professional Accomplishments/Previous Career Details: I worked for a small landscape company prior to joining Puryear Farms in 2019. I led the shrub bed maintenance crew involved in pruning, bed maintenance, and seasonal color installation for several years before being promoted to a sales position with the company in 2024.
Favorite Core Value: Diligence. A symptom of resilience and the ability to succeed.
