Driving Innovation and Preserving Tradition

Matt Everts, Chief Information Officer, Ruppert Landscape

Matt Everts, Chief Information Officer at Ruppert Landscape, is a technology leader with over 20 years of experience aligning IT initiatives with business strategies. Specializing in data center and cloud infrastructure, enterprise technologies, cybersecurity operations, and large-scale system migrations, Matt excels in managing change during mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations. With a process-driven approach, he leads complex projects, prioritizing efficiency and strategic value. Known for his ability to collaborate across management levels and manage remote teams, Matt leverages technology to drive innovation and meet evolving business needs.

Through this article, Everts emphasizes the importance of adaptability, agility, and responsiveness in driving lasting impact and aligning technology with business goals.

“With a thoughtful and strategic mindset. Before adopting any new technology, we evaluate its alignment with our mission, culture, and the needs of our team and customers.”

Early in my career, I often heard the saying, "It's not what you know, but who you know." However, I always felt that wasn’t the full picture. After over 15 years of experience in Private Equitybacked companies, I’ve learned that the true key to success lies in how quickly you can adapt and pivot to align with the business’s evolving growth goals. Agility and responsiveness are what truly drive lasting impact.

Overcoming Challenges as a CIO

Navigating the balance between tradition and innovation is a unique challenge in the landscaping industry, which is deeply rooted in hands-on, people-centered processes. Introducing new technologies can sometimes be met with resistance or skepticism. To address this, I prioritize clear communication and demonstrate how each technological advancement aligns with our business goals. I ensure that every new solution directly tackles pain points, improves efficiency, and enhances the customer experience—always staying true to our core values. This approach includes running pilot programs, gathering feedback from field teams, and presenting measurable results to build trust, gain buy-in, and drive successful adoption.

Aligning Technology with Core Values

With a thoughtful and strategic mindset. Before adopting any new technology, we evaluate its alignment with our mission, culture, and the needs of our team and customers. Involving key stakeholders at every level, we maintain open communication and foster collaboration, ensuring the technology enhances rather than disrupts our established values. Ultimately, our goal is to use technology as a tool to strengthen our traditions while driving efficiency and growth.

Maintaining Alignment with Remote Teams

Through consistent and open communication. Our culture and values are at the core of everything we do, so we prioritize keeping everyone connected and informed. Regular updates, clear direction, and ongoing engagement ensure that remote team members stay aligned with our business objectives and adapt seamlessly to any shifts or changes.

The Future of Technology in Landscaping

AI will make the biggest impact on the landscaping industry—and countless others—by transforming everything from sales and data reporting to end-to-end customer experiences. In my view, the future lies in a coexistence between AI and people. As AI takes on repetitive and analytical tasks, the most valuable roles will rely on human strengths such as social skills, creativity, and the ability to adapt and learn quickly.

Approach to Emerging Technologies

We are currently conducting a proof of concept for new commercial-grade autonomous mowers. These innovative mowers empower our crews to concentrate on the more intricate and detailed aspects of their work, enhancing efficiency and precision.

Advice for Aspiring CIOs

Focus on becoming a translator between technology and business outcomes. These industries often have gaps in understanding how technology can drive business value. Focus on how technology can align with business objectives, solve problems, and drive measurable return on investment.