Our Team

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President and CEO

Jeff Olsen

President and CEO

Jeff’s passion, and pride in his family’s business, propelled BTN from being a first-time home improvement store and supermarket supplier, to International Grower of the Year in 2022. The level of entrepreneurial spirit Jeff carries with him everyday is contagious and is clear in the drive and passion those who work with him also possess. Jeff’s career began after graduating from the University of Guelph in 1991 where he studied Horticulture. When he first started working for the family business as a grower, BTN was primarily landscape suppliers. Shortly after Jeff’s start, BTN began selling to home improvement stores and supermarkets (1993). As BTN continued to flourish and grow, so did Jeff’s role at the company. He moved from grower, to sales, VP of sales, President and then in 2009 when he purchased Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited, he became the CEO. Since that day Jeff has created a familial environment for all his workers and propelled this company into a leader of horticulture. He has served on many industry boards and committees throughout his career and is currently the Treasurer of Landscape Ontario and Grower’s Chair of the Canadian Nursery & Landscape Association. Outside of the industry, Jeff is a board member of the Young Presidents Organization as well as a co-founder of Friends for Life, a cancer research charity which he founded with his wife Carol. During his free time, Jeff is playing hockey, or guitar, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Sales and Marketing Team

Richard Tomlinson

Vice President Sales

Richard is Vice President of Sales, and member of the Executive team at Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Ltd. He assumed this position in July of 2018, soon after BTN acquired the former Valleybrook Gardens, where Rich served as General Manager. With over 25 years working in the green industry, Rich began his career as a landscaper. Now, after more than a decade in a Senior Management role, Rich is proud of his record leading his team to success. Rich received his Bachelor of Arts from Sir Wilfred Laurier University where he studied Economics. Rich is an active member of a peer group within TEC Canada, allowing him to collaborate, share best practices, discuss challenges, and engage in collective problem-solving with like-minded professionals. In 2019, Rich was awarded the Top 40 under 40 award for horticultural professionals by Greenhouse Magazine. Rich’s mission in life is to help people be their best; whether BTN customers, his sales team, friends, family or even someone he just met, he defines success by the positive impact he has on those around him. Rich genuinely wants everyone to be successful in life and will assist in any way possible to make that happen. In his spare time, Rich can be found at the hockey rink with his son where he helps coach, at a swimming pool cheering on his daughter in competitive swimming, or at the roadside supporting his wife who runs marathons.

Ashley Waltho

National Marketing Manager

Ashley became rooted in the Floral/Garden décor industry when she started her first part-time job, in the floral shop of her local Garden Centre in Mississauga, in 1999. Being exposed to Floral Design at birth, Ashley is a Third-Generation Florist, introduced to the industry by her father, Don Waltho, President of CIFD; and floral Master Bill Waltho, her grandfather. Ashley formally studied Floral Design with Bob Ross, at Canadian Institute of Floral Design in 2000. She is certified as a Professional Floral Designer and Instructor who has taught at Sheridan College, and at Canadian Institute of Floral Design, Toronto. With a passion for learning current design trends, and incorporating that into Floral Design trends and techniques, Ashley went on to acquire her advanced diploma in Business Marketing in 2008 from Sheridan College, Oakville. From 2005 to 2015, Ashley was amongst one of the most sought-after floral designers in the GTA, creating Wedding Masterpieces under her very own Waltho Floral Collection. From 2009-2015 Ashley was a speaker at Canada Blooms, Toronto teaching workshops. In 2014 Ashley was awarded Top 30 under 30 Floral Designer by Canadian Florist Magazine, in Toronto. Ashley’s Marketing and Design expertise at BTN is apparent in her creative and technical development of new product designs. Ashley has successfully been Managing all eCommerce accounts at BTN and creating new and innovative product designs since 2016. Ashley is a member of The 519 – offering Safe Service, Space and Leadership to LGBTQ2S Community in Toronto. In her free time, Ashley enjoys exploring the beautiful outdoors with her son. Camping, hiking, skating, and biking are amongst her favourite avenues to get lost and inspired in nature.

Danny Dinova

National Account Manager

Danny joined the BTN team in 2021 as one of the National Account Managers, where he utilizes his skill set in organizing and managing sales to retail accounts across Canada. Danny takes pride in developing and maintaining relationships with customers stemming from a sincere desire to offer the best service possible. Danny has over two decades of experience in the horticultural industry, owning & operating a commercial groundskeeping business as well as a retail garden center. Danny is a father/uber driver of two boys, and you can be sure to find him coaching a hockey or baseball team in his spare time. When he isn’t listening to music or rockin’ out on drums and guitar (the louder the better), Danny would rather hike up a mountain than surf on the couch.

Tracy McAllister

Sales & Program Development Manager

Tracy is the Sales and Program Development Manager at BTN. Tracy’s focus is on developing partnerships with her customers and guiding her IGC team in doing the same. Her extensive background in garden centre retail and wholesale sales is a great asset in creating programs for customers. She is a University of Guelph graduate with a BA degree and a diploma in agriculture. In her spare time Tracy loves to read, watch stand up comedy, and go on road trips to visit family and friends.

Operations and Logistics

Kevin Koopmans

Chief Operating Officer

Kevin has been with Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Ltd. (BTN) for 15 years. He has worked in various roles across the company, on the operations, logistics and finance side of the business. Kevin’s operational passion was the primary driver and motivation to what has led him to his current role as Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he leads, manages, and strategically plans BTN’s Operational goals and objectives. Kevin is inarguably the backbone of the BTN group.

Prior to BTN, Kevin worked as an operations manager for his family run business, where the fire was lit, and passion sparked for operational related processes. While overseeing the family business, Kevin concurrently achieved his CPA designation after successfully graduating Western University’s Finance and Administration program (ACS) with honors.

In his spare time, you will find Kevin working on his golf game, in Barrie where he has been a member of a local golf course for over 30 years, while actively participating on its board of directors and committees. Kevin is dedicated to his growing family and friends, who provide the perfect social balance, to his busy schedule.

Tim Twohey

National Operations Manager

Tim is the National Operations Manager and provides support and guidance for the BTN Farms located across the country. 2023 will mark Tim’s 15^th year with the company and 5^th year at the National level. Tim previously worked in the Wholesale/Landscape Yard as the General Manager, where he helped grow the department and mentor those on his team to excel into other positions within the company. Tim is a graduate of Brock University with a General Arts BA majoring in Accounting and Economics. When he’s not focused on labour, processes, and units per hour you will find Tim practising his lumberjack skills, camping with his Family, or telling hilarious Dad jokes.

Marc Bonnici

National Distribution Manager

Marc is the National Distribution Manager at BTN, where he has been for 21 years come 2023. Within this role he provides guidance in matters relating to transportation, packaging and logistics for all BTN farms and departments. He is a strong advocate for innovation and business improvement drawing on his education in Engineering from McMaster University and Humber College. In his spare time, Marc can be found by the lake or hiking another portion of the Bruce Trail.

Jason Rekker

National Production Manager

Jason has been the National Production Manager at BTN since 2018, with the focus of building strong production plans, and teams who deliver high-quality, cost-effective products that delight customers. Jason started with (previously named) Valleybrook, now our Niagara farm in 2001. When BTN obtained the Valleybrook farm in 2017, Jason was a part of that wonderful integration. Jason has over 20 years experience in the industry in various capacities including Sales, Operations, and Production. This experience and dedication have greatly facilitated Jason with his overall knowledge of this industry, allowing him to be a phenomenal educator for those who work on his team. Jason got his BA in History and Political Science, and Secondary Education teacher’s certificate from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Although teaching high-school was not his ultimate passion he certainly enjoys educating our teams about production, and it shows. Part of his work-life balance involves playing hockey, soccer (as a striker), and getting out fishing on local rivers when the bite is on.

Mike Petersen

National Purchasing Manager

Mike is the National Purchasing Manager for Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited. He has been with the company for almost 40 years. Mike grew up in the greenhouse industry working from a young age alongside his father, Ib Petersen, in his cut flower business in Nobleton, ON. In 1977 Mike’s father, Ib, became one of the original partners in Treeland Wholesale Nurseries and then a few years later Brookdale Treeland Nurseries began the next steps of Mike’s career path.

After Highschool, Mike attended Humber College and graduated in 1984 with a diploma in the Horticulture. Eager to learn more of the industry, Mike sought out more hands-on experience and learned many aspects of the business operations over the next few years working alongside various Mentors. This knowledge has proven to have been a great asset in the role he holds today.

As the business grew, it was decided to split the original Wholesale Landscape Supply and the Retail Chain Business. From 2000 through 2003 Mike managed the Wholesale Supply Center’s operations, along with taking care of the sales and purchasing. In 2004 Mike transferred from the Wholesale Supply Center, to focus on purchasing for the entire company. Since then, Mike has traveled throughout North America and Overseas, building relationships with different vendors and trading partners. His mission has always been to source the best items for both Nursery and Christmas related products.

When Mike isn’t out searching all corners of the world for the latest and greatest product offerings, he happily spends most of his time with his growing family, friends, and adding in a few rounds of golf.

Finance and Human Resources

Ryan Somerville

Chief Financial Officer

Ryan has been with BTN for 14 combined years. He started his journey with the Brookdale family in 1996 (to 2007). In 2019, Ryan re-joined the team and now sustains the role of Chief Financial Officer. Having graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor’s in Accounting Science, and Georgian College as a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA, CGA), Ryan’s 22 years in the industry, along with his lighthearted humour shows in everything he does! His primary focus is on financial governance, reporting, cash flow management and payroll. When Ryan isn’t busy actively working with numbers, you’ll find him being a proud father to three very active boys. Ryan, his boys, wife, and puppy are most likely to be found enjoying their time on a baseball diamond, in a swimming pool in the summer, or on a ski hill in the winter. Ryan is an avid sports fan with aspirations to one day play professional baseball that are not at all based on reality.

Susan Colavita

National Human Resources Manager

Susan has been an essential part of BTN since her first starting as the National Human Resource Manager in 2020. With over 15 years in the area of Human Resources, Susan’s experience in Health and Safety, Recruitment and Employee Engagement has led her to growing this department and helping many employees over the years transition into their new roles. Susan carries her passion for Human Resources outside of work as an active member with Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). A busy mom of 2, Susan finds there is never a dull moment juggling two very active kids who are involved in sports and extra curricular activities. Since starting at BTN and discovering a love for plants, Susan has become an avid gardener.