Michael Grimm
Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Master’s degree in education from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. But his love of gardening, plants, trees and physical work led him into the landscape and tree care industry. Starting in 1978, Michael went into business for himself. Over the years he has grown from a one man operation to a full service company employing over 40 people making up a team of landscapers, designers and plant health experts. His hands-on way of doing business has kept employees returning year after year and many have been with him for 10 years and more! Despite the increase in size, Michael continues to provide personalized service to his customers.
Some of Michael Grimm’s Team
Fred Cross-Landscape Manager
Fred moved to Central New York after majoring in business aministration while attending SUNY Cortland. While attending college, Fred was being scouted by the Cincinnati Reds and installing landscapes (pursuing two passions in his life). He also met his wife and had three children. While settling down in Central New York, Fred put more time and effort into following his landscape dream and started taking additional classes in landscape design and horticulture. Fred has now been the head of the landscape department for Michael Grimm Services since 1992. Fred is a CNLP (Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional and is ICPI certified (Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute). Fred staffs two additional designers, 8-10 installers, and 3 gardeners at this time. Under Fred’s lead the landscape department sales has grown from $40,000 to around $900,000…and growing. Fred has a simple growth model; provide great customer service, a great product, and do what you say!
Eric Vierow-Landscape Designer and Customer Service Representative
Eric began his career with Michael Grimm Services on the landscape crew in 1999. He quickly moved up to Landscape Foreman in part due to his unmatched work ethic, reliability and rapport with the employees and homeowners. His talents as an artist and creativity for design were soon noticed and before long he began designing. Eric is a Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional as well as certified with the Interlocking Concrete Pavers Institute and National Concrete Masonry Association. Many customers have described his hand-drawn designs as works of art in and of themselves. Eric has a particular affinity for working with natural stone and has created some of our company’s most amazing stone features.
Laura Stegeman-Landscape Designer and Customer Service Representative
Laura is the newest member of our landscape design team. Laura began on our gardening crew in 2010 weeding, planting and keeping our customers properties looking beautiful. She began designing and assisting Fred and Eric in the Landscape Department in 2011. She holds a Bachelor’s in Horticulture from Colorado State University and is a Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional. She worked for many years as a greenhouse grower and in the nursery industry. Laura, a native to Arizona, and her family moved to Central New York in 2007 for her husband to complete graduate work at Syracuse University. They quickly discovered what a wonderful place it is to raise their two children, Ruby and William, and now call Syracuse home. Laura is passionate about plants and landscape design.
Ron Rogers-Customer Service Representative
Ron is a self proclaimed “Jack of all trades.” Ron joined the Michael Grimm Services team in 1999 and has dabbled in several areas of the company finally landing in the General Maintenance Department selling all phases of landscape/property maintenance including snow plowing in the off-season. Ron holds a Bachelor’s in Resource Management from SUNY-ESF, is an ISA Certified Arborist, Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional and Certified Pesticide Applicator. Ron enjoys bow hunting, snowmobiling and spending time with his beautiful wife and son.
Dan Deyle-Tree Department Manager
Dan Deyle aka ‘Big Daddy Trees’ has been with Michael Grimm Services since 1997. He began climbing trees and before long took over as Manager of the Tree Department in 2005 when John McCaffery semi-retired. Dan holds an Associates Degree in Arboriculture from Paul Smith’s College of the Adirondack’s. Dan is an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Nursery Landscape Professional. Dan has been described as having a very calming voice and pleasing to speak with. Dan’s Rottweiler Mason is a welcomed mascot around the shop and he enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with his fiancee Lisa.
John McCaffrey-Customer Service Representative
John McCaffrey is one of the founding members of Michael Grimm Services joining Michael in 1985 thereby officially establishing the Tree Department. John was Manager of the Tree Department until 2005 when he partially retired. He is an ISA Certified Arborist. John continues to evaluate trees making recommendations and meet with homeowners on a part-time basis.