We are pleased to introduce our new Admin and Sustainability Officer, Sophie McCann. Although Sophie has only been with us a few short months, her role has quickly developed, and now Sophie supports our team with the implementation of sustainability initiatives across all areas of our business.
So Sophie, how long have you been with Greentown?
Started on 19th February 2024
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I am not long in the door, but took on the role of sustainability officer about a month in. Vast topic but with so much potential to make our company really live up to its name.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
I am a very organised person which helps me with everything in my life especially work; my notebook is full of lists lol.
What keeps you motivated in work?
Working in such a friendly & positive environment & being given the time to develop and grow within my role.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Being given the opportunity to take on new challenges.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
Honestly just laughing everyday with the boys in the office & of course any day I get to see Leo (the office dog) is a bonus!
What are your hobbies and interests?
I spend most of my free time with my dachshund who is treated like a child by my boyfriend and me. We are also currently renovating our home, so I have taken up a huge interest in interior design, there’s too much to choose from.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
An actress up until I was 18 and then when I went over to audition for the London drama schools and seen who I was up against, I quickly changed my mind lol.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I hate sweets, and before someone makes a joke about my dad being a dentist, this is not the reason. I think it has something to do with the gas they used on me for an operation when I was child to get my tonsils removed, it was sickly sweet.
Ever since then the smell or thought of them repulses me.
Meet our GTE Service Manager, Stephen Johnston. Stephens career has diversified over his time with Greentown by originally starting with us as a General Operative to a more senior role of Drainage and Weed Control Service Manager!
So Stephen how long have you been with Greentown?
Almost 6 Years
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I started off in the company as a general operative and progressed over the years to a service manager.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
I consider myself easy going and approachable which is always good with communicating with colleagues and clients.
What keeps you motivated in work?
The challenge
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Getting positive feedback from the clients and my co-workers. Keeps the boat afloat.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
Christmas work do’s …. enough said.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy most sports. Rugby at the top (Come on Ireland)
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A WWE Wrestler
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
Last summer a few mates and I went for a cycle one Saturday morning and ended up in the Smugglers Bar at Rosnowlagh Beach. It does what it says on the tin, Guinness gives you strength.
We would next like to introduce Greentown’s longest employee Donna Kerr! Donna has been with Greentown for over 11 years, and has helped the company to progress and diversify over the years!
So Donna what is your role within the company?
Office Manager
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I started in Greentown back in 2013, as the business has grown so has my role as Office Manager. I have been involved with all aspects of the business from a very early stage, setting up systems, finance, payroll, training new staff, successfully tendering for contracts, building up relationships with clients and assisting with building the Greentown team. I have seen, heard, and learned from it all!
I now sit as a member of the Corporate Team which I take great pride in.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
They say I’m handy at Excel!
What keeps you motivated in work?
Witnessing the success of Greentown and the team over the past 11 years. Looking back and seeing how far the company has come and how much the team has grown really motivates me to keep going. It helps to have a good leader; John Ross leads by example, is very knowledgeable within the industry and puts trust in his team.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
There are a lot of aspects of my job I like, working with clients, developing systems for the business, but the most rewarding part of my job is the people I work with. Being able to support, share my knowledge and experiences over the past 11 years with new members of staff, watch them succeed, be happy in their roles and progress their careers within company, especially our females. It’s rewarding to know that you may have played a small part in that.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
One work memory that’s stands out for me is winning our 1st tendered contract with Dublin City Council as principal contractor, back when tenders where hand delivered and in boxes. I have the pictures to prove it.
Funny event, I too went on the famous trip for Ice Cream with my colleagues in the office!
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy being able to switch off and spend time with my family, be that going for dinner or going to watch my husband’s football team play.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I enjoyed and was heavily involved in team sport from a young age and always dreamt of being a professional footballer or PE teacher. Hoping to live that dream through my 3 daughters now.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
As well as the metaphorical juggling of work/family life, I can Juggle!
I played in Croke Park in the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final with Fermanagh Ladies in 2009.
We would like to introduce our Head of IT, Dave Martin. This is a new position within Greentown. Due to our growth over the past number of years, the IT infrastructure of our companies has grown significantly and Dave has been able to bring a wealth of knowledge to our business in this area.
So Dave how long have you been with Greentown?
Started January 2nd 2024.
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
Too early to say…..see previous question.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
IT – Automating workflows and standardizing people on core systems/solutions. Digging people out of computer holes they have dug themselves into!!
What keeps you motivated in work?
Being challenged workwise and interesting work colleagues.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Helping people.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
There’s a mad video the IT team did for a HR keep fit programme in a previous job….that’s all I’m saying.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Cinema, reading, eating out.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A member of the guards!!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I have a brain full of useless information, e.g. the part numbers of books I put in computer boxes in my first production job in 1988!!! Comes in handy though for important birthdays and anniversaries.
We would next like to introduce Paul McGrath, Head of Finance for both Greentown Companies. Paul’s career progressed quickly due to his accountancy expertise and continued growth of Greentown!
So Paul how long have you been with Greentown?
5 years in March
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
Drafted in for a chat with John-Ross, started out 3 days a week, quickly became 5 days week and now there’s not enough days in the week.
Financial Controller to Finance Manager to Head of Finance.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
Accountancy background, numbers, facts, figures, reports, spreadsheets, spreadsheets, spreadsheets!!!
What keeps you motivated in work?
Balancing the books, accuracy of reports and the level of responsibility I’ve been entrusted with.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Trying to guess what’s the next notion John-Ross will have and what it’s going to cost. In fairness he has improved, I used to be handed an Invoice and told to ‘pay that’ now there is planning and method to the madness.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
Some of the stuff John-Ross comes out with at times is actually hilarious.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Gaelic, Soccer, Coaching and Running the Roads.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Premier League Footballer, we all can have dreams – settled for several Mercer League Titles with Lisbellaw.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
The first holiday I ever took was to go to Malta and run the Marathon over there, couldn’t just go and relax.
Meet our Finance Officer, Emma Toland! Emma is part of our Finance Team in Florencecourt and has been with the company for over 7 years now!
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I started off as Admin and the face and voice of the company (answering the phone) lol but have since progressed to part of the finance team and have successfully completed Computerised Accounts which the company supported me with.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
Well… to put it correctly I feel I’m very “communicative” and “forthcoming” which are sometimes needed to get the job done, others might call it something else though lol.
What keeps you motivated in work?
Definitely my work colleagues and happy clients and also when Tony cooks his jumbo sausages (which he hasn’t done in a while) and James saves me some homemade pancakes.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
The positive work culture in Greentown and I like the working relationship I have built with the clients, its rewarding to know they are happy with our service.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
The day the girls decided to go to Letterbreen to get ice-cream and nearly didn’t make it back… ill say no more..
What are your hobbies and interests?
Have recently had another baby so not much time for hobbies at the minute but wouldn’t have it any other way.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A firewoman, think it was more the uniform lol.
Next up we have our resident comedian, Greentown Environmental Service Manager, Caolan McBrien. Caolans career with Greentown has diversified over the years since joining our team as a QEHS Manager. Caolan gained invaluable knowledge of the Arboricultural industry throughout his time with Greentown and is now managing our large Tree Service and Winter Maintenance divisions.
So Caolan how long have you been with Greentown?
5 years.
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
Commenced as Health & Safety Manager and progressed into operations.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
Expert areas is Beef cattle. This is hugely beneficial for helping decipher a good beast from a bad beast.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Enjoy walking round forests planning jobs and the midges eating me alive, you get a great appreciation for the frost.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Dodging phone calls from home when you’ve said you’ve left the office half an hour ago.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Wanted to beat Mark Philippoussis in the Wimbledon Final.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
Scientists would love to study me.
At Greentown we work with local colleges and schools to help provide work experience and apprenticeship opportunities to those who want to gain invaluable experience in the workplace whilst studying. We have provided apprenticeship opportunities for Mechanics, Arborists and our Accounting Technician, Gemma Greene.
Gemma how long have you been with Greentown?
Since mid-August
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I moved here with no accounting experience so have been learning the role from scratch. I’m studying the theory at college whilst gaining practical work experience with Greentown. I can see myself staying here for a while though!
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
I’m quite organised and once I start something I always see it through to the end. I think these are important skills and behaviours to have as nothing is left unfinished or missed, and everything is completed in a timely manner.
What keeps you motivated in work?
A positive environment, being able to manage my own time, and opportunities to progress. (Money also helps!)
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
Having come from a hospitality background, I really appreciate a set schedule, working Monday – Friday, as it provides a better work/life balance. I’m enjoying learning new things and growing in this new career.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
I haven’t been here long, but favourite memories so far would be sitting enjoying lunch on the picnic benches during summer or trying to put a Christmas hat on Leo (the office dog) then trying to get a picture of him sitting still.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Not to sound cliché but I love travelling and visiting new countries. I also love food (cooking or eating out) and enjoy spending time outdoors, either relaxing with a book or going for a walk – so bring on summer!
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A primary school teacher but my careers teacher at the time advised against it!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I used to live at 8 Coronation Street and received mail for Gail Platt from fans! I was also the number one buyer of butter in Sainsburys in Manchester in 2020!
Next up we would like to introduce the Greentown Environmental Head of Operations, James McGrath! James is one of the longest employees with Greentown and has progressed his career from General Operative to his current position as Head of Operations.
So James how long have you been with Greentown?
Too long………11 years this April
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
I arrived in April 2013 after being sold the dream by John-Ross at interview. First starting out as a General Operative. It was Weed Control during the summer months, Grounds Maintenance & Winter Maintenance during the autumn, winter and spring. This seasonal rotation continued for approximately 5 years before being pulled from ground and asked to take more of a management role for these services due to growth within the business.
The next 5 years or the past 5 years have seen further growth within the business where we have bolted on numerous services to what was our initial foundation, this has resulted in a restructure of our service management team with multiple personnel additions along the way which I now head up.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
Jack of all, master of none!
What keeps you motivated in work?
Winning
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
For me it’s possibly more personal than others, I have been here from almost the outset, I have seen what we were, I know where we are, and I see where we can go.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
There would be a few from the early years as an operative but what happens on site stays on site!
What are your hobbies and interests?
GAA, Soccer, Golf, but as age catches up its going to be more Golf and keeping the handicap in single figures.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Chef, but don’t worry, my wife Amanda allows me to do all the cooking at home.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I have been very lucky to have shared football pitches with some generational talents!!
Sporting career highlights: Sigerson Cup – Queens University 2007 & Irish Cup – Glenavon 2014, 2016
Throughout 2024 we will be introducing members of our companies across all divisions and areas of the business!
We would like to introduce the Greentown Traffic Management Commercial Manager, Steven Foreman!
Steven how long have you been with Greentown?
Coming up on 7 Years.
How has your career progressed with Greentown?
Over the years I have worked at Greentown I have progressed through the ranks, starting off as an untrained worker out on the ground I soon got my 12D to lead jobs on rural roads, then progressing on to 12AB and Foreman. Then an opportunity came along to try out working in the office and with it being winter I jumped at the chance to be inside every day. From then Greentown has grown and we have all been given our own parts of the business to look after in the office hence why I am now Commercial Manager.
What are your expert areas or skills, and why do you think those skills are important in the workplace?
Id like to say I’m good with numbers because they’ve trusted me with the commercial side of the business, definitely problem solving with all of the problems that come with organising TM, whether that be getting work booked in through relevant bodies or dealing with staff absence.
What do you like most about your job/what do you find most rewarding?
The people I work with, makes it x10 easier when you get on with the people you spend 9 hours a day with. The most rewarding part would be seeing the company grow with something you had a part in doing.
What is your favourite work memory or funny event?
Lighting up a portable BBQ on a summers day and having a BBQ for lunch, less stress throughout the day back then.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I play rugby for most of the year and when I’m not doing that I golf over the summer months when the weather is good.
