MEET OUR TEAM

Since 1968, Hively has been the leader in landscape design and construction. Our team of landscape professionals is focused on making your experience as smooth and engaging as possible. We put our decades of experience to work, giving you peace of mind throughout the design, planning and execution of your project. From intimate plantings to major construction projects, every detail receives the same level of attention. How can we help you?

Design/Project Management

JEFF BOLLINGER

PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST

Design Consultant

When choosing a path for my college education and my career, I sought to blend my love of science, botany, art, and architecture. Upon graduating from Delaware Valley University with a degree in Horticulture, I found the perfect career for me and have been practicing it for over 40 years at Hively. Thank you to every client for allowing me to enhance your property! Though I am now semi-retired, I continue to learn daily and to engage in limited landscape and hardscape projects, especially of the challenging nature.

JAMES THEISEN

PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST

Design Consultant

James is an experienced landscape designer and maintenance specialist, who treats every property as his own. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Technology with a degree in Landscape and Nursery Technology and is a Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist. James’s love for plants and the outdoors started during his summer breaks in high school, working for a local company, performing property maintenance. A York County native, James has been in the green industry for 15 years, focusing on landscape design and holistic landscape maintenance. James has been part of the Hively team for over a decade. He loves sharing his experience and education to help clients understand how Hively’s scheduled maintenance programs benefit the longevity and beauty of your landscape.

Outside of the office, James can be found running, biking, camping, creating snow/sand sculptures, and spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.

BRIAN WALTERSDORF

REGISTERED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Design Consultant

For more than 38 years, Brian Waltersdorf has been thinking “outside the house.” He listens attentively to his customers and uses his attention to detail to creatively solve their landscape needs, often helping them consider a solution they would not have, otherwise. As a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and a Registered Landscape Architect in the Commonwealth of PA, Brian approaches the landscape holistically. Brian has been part of the Hively team for 15 years.

Operations

TYLER SMITH

Production Coordinator

As a young boy, I always enjoyed being outdoors, getting into small projects on the backyard dirt pile. As I grew, I continued to work around the landscape at my home in Lewisburg, PA. After graduating from Penn State University in 2016, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Contracting, I began my career with Hively as a Crew Member. In my spare time, I enjoy any activity involving the outdoors, and getting my hands dirty in real estate projects.

MIKE URICH, CSFM

LawnCare Manager

Mike brings a wealth of turfgrass knowledge and expereince to the Hively team. Mike attended Penn State University, graduating in 2013 with a degree in Turfgrass Science. He has also earned his Certified Sports Field Manager Certification from the Sports Field Managers Association. After college, he got his start managing fields for the York Revolution – a Minor League Baseball team in York, PA. After three years, he transitioned to the sod industry working at the highly respected Hummer Turfgrass and Sporting Valley Sod companies, where he had a hand in managing hundreds of acres of sod fields in Manheim, PA, as well as sports fields all over Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. He next landed at Messiah University where for three years he managed 22 acres of athletic fields and all common areas of the Starry Athletic Complex. In March 2022, we welcomed Mike to the Hively Landscapes team to lead our growing LawnCare division. When not making the grass green, Mike is busy at home where he is happily married and a dad to two children and a dog! He also loves camping, woodworking, and is an avid skier.

COLIN FARACE

Production Coordinator

Colin’s many years of landscape industry experience began at home, working for his family’s landscape company in eastern PA. Growing his experience from crew member to crew leader at companies throughout south central PA over the last 10 years, Colin brings hands-on experience to the roll of Project Coordinator. Responsible for a smooth translation of design to reality, Colin is the communication link between our Designers and the Production Crews that implement our projects. Outside of work, Colin enjoys hiking, traveling and golf… mostly golf!

BIRGIT NOVACEK

Purchaser

Having grown up on a farm outside of Lewisburg, Birgit has an appreciation and love for most things outdoors. Sharing her plant knowledge with her two boys, she wanted more and followed her passion working with plants at a local college and a landscape company. As Purchaser, here at Hively, she takes pride in locating the highest quality plant material, hardscaping products, and construction materials on time and on budget. Outside of work, Birgit is an avid gardener and enjoys picture framing!

Business Office

AMY KESSINGER

Administrator

Amy joined Hively in 2017 and is the welcoming voice when calling the office. She brings with her 19 years in the Construction industry working with clients to deliver exceptional service.

Amy handles all aspects of Hively’s Customer Experience from the first phone call to the last invoice and follow-up in customer satisfaction. She also handles several behind the scenes responsibilities related to personnel and payroll; every day, she is quick to ask, how may I help.

When not in the office, Amy is a mom and grandmother who enjoys time with her husband and two dogs working in the garden, hiking trails and being outdoors.

BILLIE JO MAZOL

General Manager

From IT administration to real estate, Billie Jo brings broad experience to compliment the leadership team at Hively.

Part of the team since 2018, her primary responsibilities include budgeting and fiscal planning, implementing and refining workflow processes, coaching and supporting staff, and guiding the Hively core values of communication, teamwork, and client satisfaction.

Outside the office, Billie Jo is a dog lover and “property manager” of her own piece of history, a 1900’s farmhouse located in Jackson Twp.

TED VENTRE

Owner

While living on the east end of Long Island in 2000, I began helping a friend tend to his large tree nursery to make extra money on the weekends. I liked it so much that I began working on a landscape installation crew as a general laborer and worked my way up to crew leader. Over the next several years at companies in NY, MD and PA, my desire to learn more about the business side of the industry led me from crew leader to equipment operator, project manager, division manager and owner/operator of my own company in 2008. I acquired Hively in 2010 and today, I continue to learn more about this business and more importantly, how to empower our team to succeed and grow, personally and professionally.

Outside of work I enjoy traveling, trail running, and mountain biking with my wife Kristen and son Jack.