Meet the Staff

Landscape Management

The HERSHEY Nursery team of landscaping specialists and experienced maintenance crews provide proper care for your plant and turf needs, and save you time and money. Studies of residential homes showed a well-maintained landscape provides a 5-10% increase in property value. Our professionals can help protect and enhance your landscape investment with a full-service program that includes spring and fall clean-ups, mulching, mowing, weeding, trimming, flower and bulb installation, lawn and ornamental fertilization, and pest care. We have expanded our residential maintenance program which allows us to meet all of your landscape care needs.

	Art Schiavo General Manager Art was born and raised in a small town (Duryea) between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA. He graduated from Penn State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Agriculture. Art began his career at HERSHEY Nursery in 1977 as a groundskeeper. He has held a variety of positions since, including foreman, lead foreman, operations coordinator, operations manager, and finally taking over as general manager in 1996. His interests include watching movies, reading (big Stephen King fan), and sports (Boston Red Sox, Miami Dolphins, and of course Penn State football). He is a member of numerous trade associations including PLNA, ANLA and PGMS. He is also a member of Hershey Rotary Club and the Derry Township Historical Society. Art currently lives in Hershey with his wife Jeannie and daughter Laura.
	John Carricato Inventory Control Supervisor John was born and raised in Harrisburg. After more than 15 years in manufacturing and sales he began working in the nursery business with Gault Nursery in Conestoga, PA. He spent the next 5 years learning the tree growing business and doing landscaping, and came to HERSHEY Nursery in 1995. Starting as the Inventory Groundskeeper, John was promoted to supervisor in 1997. John’s interests include hunting and fishing, riding his horses, playing guitar and giving wildlife conservation programs to children’s groups. John and his wife Beth live in West Hanover Township where together they have operated a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility for over 25 years.
	Bob Aquila Assistant Operations Manager Bob originally was from Woodbridge, N.J. After moving to our area, his previous employment was spent at Four Seasons Landscaping in Lancaster (3 years) and Country Market (12 years). Bob has a wealth of experience in the horticultural field as a manager in landscaping and also running garden center retail operations. He is a native of Hummelstown and lists hunting, fishing, camping and hiking as his favorite hobbies. He also enjoys spending time at his cabin outside of Towanda in Bradford County.
	Bill Brandt Operations Manager Bill was born and raised in Carlisle. He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture in 1984. Bill started his career that same year with Chemlawn where he served first as a lawn care technician, and then as a client contact for sales and ornament/lawn problem diagnosis. Bill joined the HERSHEY Nursery in 1988 and has served in a variety of positions including Lawn Care Manager, Assistant Operations Manager, and his present position as Operations Manager. His interests include music, gardening (of course), and all sports, especially Penn State football. Bill is a member of many trade organizations and is a State Certified Applicator in Lawn Care and Ornamental Plants. Bill resides in Harrisburg (Lenker Manor) with his wife Tracy and daughter Erica.
	Karen Caffrey Accountant Karen is a native of the Central Pennsylvania area. She’s been employed by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company as a part time and full time employee since 1976. Karen’s past positions include admissions clerk for HERSHEYPARK and HERSHEYPARK Arena Box Office Supervisor. She joined the Nursery team in 1985. Karen enjoys watching sports and movies. She currently lives in Cleona with her husband, Bob, her children Kristin, Amanda, Maggie, and Aaron.
	Dave Warren Landscape Sales Manager Dave was born and raised in Shiremanstown, Cumberland County. He is a 1981 graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Dave began his career with the Nursery in 1983 and oversees all landscape/design work for the Nursery’s commercial and residential customers although his main focus is our commercial work. Dave has many interests including softball (Your Place Restaurant Team), the outdoors, gardening, home improvement projects, Co-Rec. Volleyball (in the winter), and downhill skiing. He is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown and resides in Hershey with his wife Jennifer, two children Zachary and Joshua, and the family’s golden retriever Madison.
	Jeff Katterman Landscape Salesperson Jeff was born in Harrisburg, PA and grew up in Mechanicsburg. He is a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School and attended West Virginia University for Landscape Architecture. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys watching his children’s sporting events, coaching youth soccer and baseball, and watching Mountaineer sports. Jeff currently resides in Mechanicsburg with his wife Lisa, and three children, Chase, Cara, and Mia. Another member of the family is their chocolate lab, Mousse.
	Zoe Runkel Administrative Assistant/ Accounts Pay Clerk Zoe was born and raised in Lebanon, PA, where she still resides. She is a graduate of Northern Lebanon High School and has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Marine Science and Chemistry from the University of Miami. She also has a Masters Degree in Environmental Biology from East Stroudsburg University. Zoe’s hobbies include reading and riding motorcycle. She is a member and treasurer of the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club.