BrightView, the largest landscaping services provider in the country resulting from the merger between Brickman and ValleyCrest in 2014, has announced that Andrew Kerin is stepping down as CEO of the company. Kerin will be succeeded on an interim basis by Pat Velasco, who will become interim CEO, effective immediately.
Kerin is departing BrightView after successfully combining two leaders in the landscape services industry, the Brickman Group and ValleyCrest Companies. “We thank Andrew for his service to BrightView over the past four years. Andrew helped lead the transformative merger of Brickman and ValleyCrest to form BrightView, the industry leader in landscaping and snow services,” said Paul Raether, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BrightView.
Velasco has a wide and varied background as an executive within global industrial and service companies. Velasco previously served first as CEO and then as Chairman of Capital Safety, now an integral part of the 3M family of safety businesses. As Chairman, Velasco saw Capital Safety grow sales at an average annual rate of 10 percent. During his tenure, the company also won the Minnesota Governor’s Safety Award.
“For many years I have seen BrightView team members, and those of the company’s predecessors, enhancing and contributing to our local communities. I am thrilled to support BrightView in the next steps of its journey,” said Velasco.
Velasco currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Gardner Denver, Crosby, and PurePOWER Technologies, and will join the Board of BrightView. He is also on the Board of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Prior to his roles at Capital Safety, Velasco worked at multiple companies, including Ecolab and Black & Decker.
BrightView is working with Korn Ferry, an executive search firm, to retain a permanent CEO.
BrightView employs more than 22,000. Its clients across the country include housing communities, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, universities, retail establishments, resorts and more.
