MEET OUR SPEAKERS

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 For over 48 years, Randy Tumber, APLD, CLD, CHT, ISA has been widely known for excellence in the design and installation of mature, native landscapes, pools & water features that move people & change how his clients live & flourish in their outdoor spaces. This is accomplished by attention to detail and overall project & site planning to create natural-looking environments and waterfeatures, working with natural stone and native habitat restoration.

Randy's work is often acknowledged in the media - including over 120 national and international awards!

Randy quite purposely steers away from many trends in the industry, but endeavours to help his discerning clients decide what mix of design and technology is right for them. His naturalistic designs are built to reflect a statement of permanence and timeless elegance.

 Edwin Pavey is a Landscape Growth Consultant with Intrigue Media, a marketing company that’s been helping landscape businesses grow for nearly two decades. With a background spanning leadership, consultative sales, and business development, Edwin brings a strategic approach to helping landscape entrepreneurs scale their companies, expand into new markets, and strengthen their brands. At Intrigue, he works directly with business owners to uncover growth opportunities, remove bottlenecks in lead generation, and align marketing strategies with real revenue goals. Together, Edwin and the team at Intrigue are focused on one mission — helping leaders in the

green industry grow their business, their team, and their impact.

Peter co-founded Oriole Landscaping over 25 years ago with his business partner, George Urvari, starting with the basics, selling and planting trees for Toronto homeowners, in order to put themselves through university. Over the years Peter has worked diligently to build an award-winning firm offering landscape design, construction and project management. His personal mission is to make every client a “raving fan,” and Oriole’s success over the years undoubtedly speaks to this drive to impress.

An active and supportive member of the green industry, Peter has held multiple positions over the years, including Board member for both Canada Blooms and Landscape Ontario, Chair of the Contractor Sector Group and member of the Landscape Canada Committee with the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association.

 Ed Hansen is the President of Landscape Ontario and the founder of EXT Landscape Management Software. With over 30 years of leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and a passion for community-building, Ed has dedicated his career to helping professionals grow through innovation and purpose. Known for inspiring presentations and practical strategies, Ed empowers others to start fresh every week, embrace change, and consistently elevate their personal and business success.

 Colin works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Plant Health Surveillance Unit as a Survey Biologist covering the Atlantic Area.  His role is to provide scientific advice in plant pest biology, surveys, and regulatory policy to ensure high quality survey activities.  He is also responsible to contribute to responses related to new pest detections in Atlantic area including hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash borer, brown spruce longhorn beetle, Japanese beetle, spongy moth, and others as needed 

   With 20 years of experience in the lawn care industry, 14 of them with Plant Products, Emma is a passionate turf grass specialist working with golf courses, municipalities, and lawn care operators. Her focus is on helping customers find the right products and programs to maintain healthy and attractive turf, while also growing their businesses and helping their bottom line. Her education at Saint Mary’s University and then University of Guelph specializing in turf, as well as years of experience, make her a knowledgeable resource to her customers. 

  Kimberley Murphy has been with the Nova Scotia Government in the Procurement division for the past 19 years. In her current role as Manager of Procurement Engagement, she is responsible for the implementation of a Sustainable Procurement Strategy for the province as well as developing and delivering information on the policies and processes of public procurement for internal and external groups. Included in that group is the supplier community where Kimberley has focused much of her efforts to engage suppliers in the public procurement process. Kimberley is currently serving her 3rd term as president of the Canadia Public Procurement Council. 

 Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) , Public Services and Procurement Canada – Atlantic Canada.

Paul has been with Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC ) since September of 2021,

Procurement Assistance Canada, is  part of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)  and they assist businesses in navigating and understanding the bidding journey in the federal procurement process.

With over 23 years in the Federal Government,  Paul has worked previous with the following organizations :

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA )
• Service Canada 
• Canada Revenue Agency 

Lisa is a Senior Education Strategist with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency where she is engaged in the development of standards, exams and new programs that support workplace learning and trade certification. With over 20 years of experience in government and education, Lisa has dedicated her time to working on career-related programs for students and apprentices in the skilled trades. She is a past President of the Skills Canada–Nova Scotia Board, a former member of the national board’s executive team and currently contributes to the work of the WorldSkills Secretariat.

 Judy is a Policy Analyst & Program Lead with the Special Initiatives division of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). She brings over 20 years of combined experience in both federal and provincial government, including 8 years with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and more than 15 years with the Province of Nova Scotia. Throughout her career, Judy has held positions as a natural & applied science researcher, policy analyst, and program lead. Since 2014, she has led the NSAA’s START Program, which encourages employers to register, retain, and support apprentices through to completion of their apprenticeship journey.

Joe’s 30-plus years in the tree care industry have provided a diverse and valuable experience which has permitted him to guide others in plant health care decisions. He has worked in all phases of tree care, and as a licensed applicator and an ISA certified arborist, he developed a strong interest in Plant Health Care and gained the experience and desire to continue his education.

Joe routinely conducts product seminars and presentations on various treatment methods which are attended by arborists, city foresters, plant health care technicians, master gardeners, university extension agents, grounds departments, and research personnel. He also supports Arborjet’s research department and co-operating universities, assisting with tree injections on research sites, and other aspects of research required to aide in development of equipment and formulations needed to control today’s invasive pests.

Joe is a proud founding member of the Arboriculture Society of Michigan Foundation and Curator of the Arboriculture Historical Society. In 2001 Joe joined the team at Arborjet, where he shares his strong belief in tree preservation with clients, and educates others on the benefit of more environmentally friendly solutions for our urban forest problems. he is the Co-Host of the Discovery Forestry podcast along with Rocky Mountains RTM Korey Lofy.

  Peter has dedicated over 40 years to the landscape profession, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to every project he undertakes.  Formally educated in Nova Scotia, Peter spent over 28 years leading a successful landscape design, construction, and garden maintenance company in Ottawa.  His education extends beyond the classroom, having honed his skills through the "School of Hard Knocks," where he embraced daily opportunities to teach and learn. 

In 2012, Peter returned to his roots in Nova Scotia, where he has since been working as a landscape designer, consultant, and advisor to both homeowners and business owners. His passion for the industry is evident through his involvement with the Atlantic Association of Landscape Designers, where he served as a past president and remains an active participant in their mentorship program. 

Peter’s approach is informed by decades of hands-on experience, both the successes and challenges, from starting, growing, and selling businesses. His deep understanding of the landscape industry makes him an invaluable resource, committed to helping others achieve their vision.

Sasha Hunter, Territory Sales Manager for Aquascape (Southwestern Ontario and the Maritimes), is an award winning Landscape Designer with over 28 years of experience in the green industry.  Graduate of Fanshawe College for Landscape Design, she also received her CLD designation through Landscape Ontario.  Sasha has received multiple awards for design and was presented with the Community Leadership Award.  Sasha has a passion for nature and design.  She loves creating beautiful, unique spaces for people to connect with each other, while surrounded by nature and water.  Designing beautiful Aquascape Ecosystem Water Features is her specialty.  Sasha is an avid gardener and plant geek.  When away from her desk, you can find her hiking, biking, at the beach, off in the woods somewhere with her camera or digging in her garden and enjoying nature on her own or with friends and family.

  Robert Bowers, P. Eng. has over 35 years of experience in the hardscapes industry. As VP of

Engineering, Hardscapes for the Concrete Masonry and Hardscape Association (CMHA),

formerly the ICPI and NCMA, he oversees technical programs related to the design,

specification, construction and maintenance of segmental concrete pavements and segmental

retaining walls. This includes development of content for the Contractor Education and

Certification courses as well as the creation and delivery of technical documents. Bowers chairs

the CSA A231 Technical Committee which published the 3 rd Edition of the Canadian Standards

for Concrete Pavers and Slabs. Bowers has written several articles and conducted numerous

seminars about interlocking concrete pavement, permeable concrete pavement and segmental

retaining walls. Bowers participates in the ASCE, ASTM, CSA and TAC.

Alan Dolick is a Technical Sales Representative at Evergreen Bio Innovations, a company dedicated to advancing natural solutions for lawn care, golf, and agriculture. With more than 25 years of experience in the golf and lawn care industry, Alan combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for soil health and microbial ecology. Over the past decade, he has focused on the critical role of biology in plant nutrition, advocating for healthier soils as a path to reducing dependence on conventional inputs. Alan brings a practical, field-tested approach to regenerative turf management, helping clients transition toward more sustainable and resilient systems. 

 Jim Jotcham has been active in pesticide research since 1984, with practical experience in most pesticide categories, including landscaping and greenhouses. He has owned and operated research greenhouses testing products for control of diseases and insect pests. Jim previously taught at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and at Acadia University. When not working as a botanist and wetland delineator, he trains commercial pesticide applicators, offering both pre-exam courses (including greenhouse and landscaping categories) and continuing education seminars. His presentations are always enjoyed and well-attended.  

Griffin Kaleva was born and raised in Pictou County Nova Scotia,

lived and worked for 20 years in Southern New Brunswick, and now

resides in Eastern PEI. He considers himself a true Maritimer

through and through. Griffin is a graduate of both St. Francis Xavier

University and the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of

Forestry.

It was forestry where Griffin realized his love for trees, silviculture,

and nursery operations. After an exciting and very fulfilling career

working within the Commercial Forestry Sector in Southern New

Brunswick, Griffin decided to focus on growing trees to meet the

demand for tree stock ranging from seedlings to large caliper trees.

Currently, Griffin is the Chief Operating Officer of Arbor Nursery

Located at Vernon Bridge, Prince Edward Island. He grows trees for

Government, Commercial, Residential, and Non-Profit clients in

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Griffin

enjoys working hand in hand with Arborists, Landscapers, and

Environmental Groups to understand their short term and long-

term needs for trees.

Griffin is a newer member of Landscape NB/PEI, and comes

with an eagerness for learning and sharing knowledge with

landscape professionals. If there is ever a conversation to be had

where trees are the subject matter, Griff is all ears and happy to

join the conversation.

 Bryce Girvan is the Manager of Technical Services & Training for STIHL in Atlantic Canada. After graduating from CCNB Bathurst in Business, he joined a multi line dealership including STIHL in Northern NB where he spent fifteen years supporting customers with parts, sales and service. In 2014 he joined STIHL Canada as Technical Manager for the Atlantic provinces and Eastern Quebec. During this time he can be found taking dealer calls for technical support, performing dealer technical training as well as end-customer demonstrations now focusing on battery powered products.

 Nicole has been with CNLA since October 2021.  Nicole has spent the last 20+ years in hospitality, education and administrative roles.  Recognized for her organizational skills, commitment to excellence and relationship building, Nicole is passionate about delivering quality experience to our members.  Nicole continues to build relationships with endorsed supplier partners negotiating deliverables and finalizing contracts.  Nicole is the staff lead for our member services committee, Insurance committee, the administrator of our Agri-marketing program and the lead for organizing the association's two board meetings per year. Complementing her experience is her formal education as a graduate of the University of Guelph.  Nicole lives in Milton, Ontario with her husband and 2 children. 

Tyler Jollimore is the owner and operator of Knotweed et al. – Weed Management. A company specializing in the management and remediation of invasive plant species in the Maritimes. Tyler holds his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in agriculture from Dalhousie University. Tyler’s thesis focused on evaluating chemical control strategies for Japanese knotweed in Nova Scotia, and his business was built upon the fruits of those efforts.

Tyler now provides services to individuals or organizations seeking to eliminate or reduce the problems caused by species such as Knotweeds (giant, Japanese, bohemian), goutweed, wild parsnip, and many others. Focusing largely on chemical control strategies for species where mechanical control is insufficient or is apt to make problems worse.

Tyler is focused on developing evidence-based management practice (EBMP) for invasive species to provide a solid scientific basis for eradication of problem species, as well as the revegetation process to restore landscapes to their functional baseline or improve plant species biodiversity in wildland areas.

He is passionate about remediating the harms caused by invasive species and protecting plant species biodiversity of the Atlantic provinces.