Our leadership
Ethoscapes is proudly led by seasoned professionals, who believe in and live our company values
and tirelessly dedicate themselves to our business’s continued success.
© 2024 Ethoscapes • All Rights Reserved
Darren McDonoughCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Darren McDonough is the Chief Executive Officer for Ethoscapes and a proven executive leader with a distinguished career spanning military service, academia, and business operations. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President at BrightView Landscapes, where he led the Florida Region and spearheaded strategic growth initiatives across a dynamic and competitive market.
A Long Island native, Darren proudly served over 20 years in the United States Army, rising through the ranks from enlisted soldier to commissioned officer. His military career included multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he commanded troops under the most challenging conditions. In recognition of his extraordinary courage and sacrifice, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for Valor and two Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in combat.
Following his retirement from active duty, Darren brought his leadership experience to academia as a History professor at Florida International University. Drawn back to operational leadership, he soon transitioned to the private sector, beginning as a District Manager at Aramark Uniform Services. He went on to hold senior roles in the security industry, including District Manager at AlliedBarton, General Manager and Regional Vice President at G4S Secure Solutions, and Vice President at Kent Security Services.
Throughout his career, Darren has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead complex organizations, drive operational excellence, and develop high-performing teams. His blend of battlefield-tested leadership, academic insight, and corporate acumen makes him a respected and influential leader across every field he’s served.
Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years, a dedicated neonatal nurse practitioner. Together, they share a love of travel and adventure—often golfing, surfing, or hiking in scenic destinations around the world. He is also a proud parent of two daughters currently pursuing their studies at universities in Florida.
Jerry CavittCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Jerry is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Ethoscapes and remains a dynamic executive leader known for his assertive and innovative approach. With a proven track record of driving growth and leveraging leading-edge technology, Jerry has excelled in roles that demand strategic planning, turnaround management, and startup expertise. His experience in diverse international contexts has honed his skills in SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, VM, BI, and ERP design and implementation. Jerry’s keen understanding of process reengineering and change management, coupled with his experience in legal, supply chain optimization, and negotiations, makes him a versatile and effective leader. His adeptness in Mergers & Acquisitions, budgeting, business forecasting, and international relations underscores his comprehensive expertise.
Jerry’s leadership at Ethoscapes has been marked by strategic diversification, the introduction of new technology platforms, and significant improvements in operational efficiency and productivity. His contributions have been central to the company’s ability to redefine client deliverables and optimize assets efficiently, underlining his role as a key driver of Ethoscapes’ success and innovation. He has guided public, private, and PE-backed organizations through significant growth and technological integration. He has extensive experience in various executive roles including CEO, CFO, and COO across a broad range of industries including O&G, construction, manufacturing, warehousing/distribution, renewable energy, survey/land management, and landscape construction and maintenance.
Jerry enjoys spending time outdoors, often engaged in hands-on projects involving heavy equipment or working on the tractor. He also appreciates the occasional round of golf or time on the lake. A passionate automotive enthusiast, Jerry is currently restoring a 1967 Toyota FJ, following a previous restoration of a 1973 FJ. He also greatly enjoys spending quality time with his wife of 32 years and their three remarkable children.
Brad PalermoGeneral Manager of Shared Services, Ethoscapes
Brad Palermo is the General Manager of Shared Services at Ethoscapes and is responsible for centralizing and optimizing non-core services across all operating companies with the goal of increasing efficiency and supporting scalable growth. A New Jersey native, he launched his career in the landscape industry while still in high school – mowing lawns on weekends and gaining hands-on experience with Westco’s crews during summer breaks. Following graduation, he ran his own landscaping business full-time while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In 2005, Brad sold his business and joined Westco as a Superintendent. His strong technical acumen led to a promotion to Enhancement Manager by 2008, where he quickly became the company’s go-to IT specialist. Brad was instrumental in modernizing Westco’s systems and processes, helping the company scale efficiently during a period of rapid growth. In addition to his technological contributions, he developed deep expertise in estimating, planning, scheduling, operational strategy, and sales.
In 2010, Brad transitioned into a Business Development Manager role, where he excelled in building and maintaining strong client relationships with large property management firms. After Ethoscapes acquired Westco in 2020, Brad was appointed Director of Operations and Technology. In this role, he drove operational improvements and helped unify workflows across teams.
Brad remains a respected leader in Houston’s green industry, known for his strategic thinking, business acumen, and organizational expertise. He thrives on solving complex challenges and delivering innovative solutions in a competitive market.
Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time at his family’s farm in Shiner, Texas, with his wife Lindsay, whom he married in 2009, and their three children. His personal passions include cooking, traveling, and tackling home improvement projects.
Mike PalermoGeneral Manager, Westco Grounds Maintenance
Mike Palermo serves as the General Manager of Westco Grounds Maintenance and has been a driving force behind the company’s success for the past 30 years. Originally from New Jersey, Mike relocated to Houston to join Westco and has dedicated his entire professional career in the region to the company’s growth and transformation.
Mike played a pivotal role in leading Westco through a major strategic shift 15 years ago, transitioning the business away from construction to focus exclusively on landscape maintenance. Under his leadership, Westco has grown significantly, with a specialized focus on Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), HOAs and residential communities, and commercial properties.
In his current role, Mike oversees all day-to-day operations, including maintenance, enhancements, irrigation, beautification, and property installations. He excels at bridging field operations with back-office administration, leveraging his strong technical skills to streamline processes from field data collection to invoicing. His ability to optimize these systems ensures a seamless and efficient experience for clients.
Known for his deep institutional knowledge and trusted leadership, Mike is a mentor to the entire Westco team. His approachable style and unwavering commitment to excellence make him the go-to person for both strategic decisions and hands-on support.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen, and their three adult children. A passionate dog lover, he is especially fond of his Great Danes. He also enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations around the world.
Kim CoscoGeneral Manager, Champions Hydro-Lawns
Kim Cosco serves as the General Manager at Champions Hydro-Lawn, where he leads operations and oversees all aspects of sales. With a strong talent for building lasting client relationships, Kim brings exceptional leadership and insight to every engagement. Over the past eight years with Champions, he has developed deep expertise in the unique needs of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), Homeowners Associations (HOAs), and their partners, particularly in the areas of erosion control, turf management, and stormwater systems rehabilitation.
Kim believes that Champions plays a vital role in proactively mitigating flood risks before they arise, helping protect entire communities. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its capabilities with a dedicated extension service to support the maintenance and revitalization of pocket District Parks and surrounding landscapes.
Prior to joining Champions, Kim built a successful career in the commercial printing industry, where he was a key contributor in the growing e-commerce sector. Known for his articulate communication style and natural leadership, he is respected throughout the organization and industry for his depth of knowledge, team-building acumen, and strategic mindset. His attention to detail, combined with a strong focus on client and company objectives, ensures every project exceeds expectations.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with his wife, Renée. He is a proud father to two sons, who have pursued successful careers in the finance industry. He also prioritizes health and wellness and maintains an active lifestyle through regular workouts.
Brandon KircherGeneral Manager, Houston Landscapes Unlimited
Brandon Kircher serves as General Manager of Houston Landscapes Unlimited (HLU), where he brings 14 years of industry expertise and a proven record in leadership and growth. Prior to joining HLU, Brandon enjoyed a career as a professional polo player, an experience that shaped his strategic mindset and team-driven approach.
Brandon’s landscape career began in late 2012 at Earthfirst Landscapes, where he advanced quickly to become VP of Sales. He played a key role in earning the company recognition as Houston’s fastest-growing private business in 2015. In 2016, Brandon launched his own venture, Logiscapes, gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience in landscape design and business management.
In 2019, Brandon joined HLU as Operations Manager. Under his leadership, the company achieved a remarkable 75% revenue growth from 2019 to 2024. His leadership and operational efficacy earned him a promotion in 2022 to COO/Vice President. Today, as General Manager, he drives HLU’s vision through innovation, sustainability, and excellence in client service.
Lori ButlerCPA, Controller
Lori Butler serves as the Controller at Ethoscapes and is an accomplished finance executive with over 30 years of experience leading financial operations across both nonprofit and private sector organizations. A Certified Public Accountant, Lori is known for building high-performing accounting teams, strengthening internal controls, and driving financial efficiency across complex organizations with revenues ranging from $18 million to over $80 million annually.
She currently oversees a talented accounting team, leads financial reporting for the board and equity stakeholders, and manages the integration of newly acquired companies.
Lori holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University and maintains active memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of CPAs – Houston Chapter. She is recognized for her strategic thinking, strong leadership, and ability to align financial systems with organizational goals.
Lori is happily married to Troy, also an A&M alumni, and has 4 beautiful children. They enjoy traveling, spending time watching sports and movies, and playing cards and board games.
Mary NovoaHuman Resources Director
Mary’s career journey began in her parents’ distribution business that was built from the ground up after migrating to the US. She gained early exposure to sales meetings and customer interactions as well as assisting with the various real estate projects they embarked on. Mary began her professional career in Accounting and Finance, leading communications and administrative functions.
In 2008, amidst the stock market crash, Mary pivoted from the hedge fund industry to pursue further education and a career change. She completed her college degree and began her HR career at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, where she supported employee relations and workplace investigations. Following the hotel’s closure for renovations, Mary transitioned into the transportation sector, where she advanced from HR Generalist to leading the HR department for a $90M company.
Mary’s career advanced as she took on the role of Director of Talent and Culture at Bio-Chem Fluidics, where she also served as a Board Member. In this capacity, she worked closely with the parent company listed on the FTSE 100 to develop and implement mentorship and learning and development programs. Over the past decade, she has specialized in building HR departments from the ground up, adept at identifying gaps, fostering a collaborative workforce, and nurturing a culture of continuous learning. Mary leverages her analytical skills to ensure that leadership teams have access to crucial data for informed decision making.
In her personal time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and working on various real estate projects.
