James Miller
James has been with Lawn Doctor since 2017. Both he and Aaron worked together in the Collegeville and Plymouth-Whitemarsh Franchises before Barb acquired these areas in 2022. James knows the lawns and the customers we service. The other technicians call on him if they have questions when working in the Collegeville and Plymouth-Whitemarsh Areas. James describes himself as someone who prefers to listen and observe before making rash decisions and is pragmatic in nature.
When asked what James is most passionate about, he told us about his love of golf. “Golf is an honest sport. It’s the only sport you call penalties on yourself. You always play the game with professionalism and integrity.” The tenants of the game, as well as James’ upbringing, have taught him respect and caring for others. Out on the lawn, he’s paying attention to detail which will yield beautiful results for your lawn. He’s always inspired by the positive outcome that hard work brings.
What is the number one piece of advice you would like to pass along to our customers?
“The best piece of advice I can offer is to cut your lawn to 3.5″ to 4″.”
What do you want our customers to know about your service?
“I strive for 100% satisfaction.”
We’re lucky to have James on the team. He wants your lawn to look great and he knows if we work together, we can make it happen!
James enjoys working outside, no matter the weather, and is open to conversation, should you have any questions about your lawn.
Aaron Davidheiser
Aaron Davidheiser is a manager/supervisor with a vast knowledge of lawn care, grasses, and lawn disease. His more than 25 years’ experience working with Lawn Doctor and landscaping experience makes him a valued point of reference. Aaron managed and worked with our tech James in the Collegeville and Plymouth-Whitemarsh Franchises before Barb acquired these areas in 2022. Aaron knows what a team can do when they work together like a fine oiled machine.
Are you a cat or dog person?
“I am definitely a dog person, they run in packs and packs are a force to be reckonned with.” This statement sums up Aaron’s management style. If we are strong as a team, we can accomplish great things for our customers.
Do you have a guiding philosophy?
“I believe happiness and positivity is a moral obligation. Positivity goes a long way. It’s infectious.” Aaron brings his positive attitude to every situation whether meeting a customer on the lawn for the first time doing an estimate, giving advice to the seasoned customer, or assisting in training the customer service team.
Were you always this positive?
“No, it’s something I had to personally work on. Channeling your energy towards the positive will change your outlook. Becoming an active listener has also shaped the way I approach every situation. It really helps achieve the desired outcome.”
What is the best general advice you can offer our customers?
“Follow cutting and trimming instructions. Trimming edges vertically prevents crabgrass infiltration. Also, if you have bare spots on your lawn, you should do a seeding. Grass will only grow in a bare area when seed is planted. A Power Seeding will fill gaps on the lawn where they presently exist.”
When Aaron isn’t working, he most enjoys spending time with his family. He and his beautiful wife are parents of twin boys, and this December they welcomed a new baby boy named Maverick. Aaron is an avid sportsman who likes hunting, fishing, and golfing. He also takes great pride in the major home remodeling project he’s been working on for the past year.
If you meet Aaron or spend time speaking to him on the phone, a minute goes by, and you realize how much knowledge he has. His goal is to educate and build trust. Aaron says, “Trust is important in every relationship, especially business.” He will always give you information which yields the best results. He wants you to know you can trust his advice. Communication is the key to success and Aaron invites you to call the office with questions or concerns as soon as they arise.
Jeff Mullen
Jeff Mullen started as a Lawn Doctor technician in New Jersey in1990 and quickly became a Service Manager. He started working for Lawn Doctor Corporate traveling as a field rep until the 9/11 tragedies when he joined Barb’s team and has been working for her ever since. Being outside and talking to customers about their lawn has kept him engaged in this work for over 30 years.
What are the best skills you bring to the job?
Jeff shared his “years of experience in customer relations and technical diagnostics and equipment repair are valuable skills for this job.” Back in the workshop, Jeff mentors the junior technicians in minor equipment repair and parts replacement. He also leads monthly education workshops in the office. He is our “Jeff of All Trades.”
Could you walk us through a typical day in the life of a Service Technician?
“Well, I can tell you about a typical workday for me. I wake up at 6:00AM and drive to work. I’ve already loaded up my truck the previous day. I’ll check in with the other guys, grab my paperwork and I’m on the road after a pit stop for a large cup of French Vanilla Coffee at Wawa. After typically servicing 10 to 15 lawns a day, I’m on my way back to the warehouse to prep for the following day.”
What is your Personal Mantra, or are there Buzz Words you live by?
“I would have to say ‘perseverance’ and ‘persistance.’ Each day requires you to put one foot in front of the other to get things done. When you are met with a challenge, whatever it may be, applying these words help you get things accomplished, especially when they seem most difficult.”
What do you enjoy doing most when you are not working?
“Photography. I took a class in high school and have enjoyed it as an art form ever since. I especially like taking pictures of street scapes.” In the past, Jeff liked to roller skate but admits it’s been a while since he’s laced up. Hanging up the skates, he’s picked up the activity of attending Mini Cooper Rallies. He and his wife Wendy attend 3 to 4 each year going as far as northern Virginia and as close as Philadelphia. He enjoys the comraderie that is a part of this group.
What is the most important piece of advice you can give our customers?
“Cut your lawn no shorter than 3-1/2” with a sharp mower blade.”
Cat or Dog?
“Cat, because they’re co-ordinated and cool. Cats are smart to analyze before acting.” Jeff approaches life and his job in the same manner. He’s extremely observant and will let you know if there’s something out on your lawn which needs attention. Jeff will call you or leave a note on your service invoice. Cats are keen animals, and we already know Jeff is one cool cat!
John Gehling, Jr.
John Gehling, Jr. joined Lawn Doctor May 2024. Although John had worked in other service fields, right from the beginning of his Lawn Doctor chapter, he showed enthusiasm and a quest for knowledge. We’re fortunate to have John on our team. His dedication to constantly expanding his knowledge is commendable. John looks forward to building a rapport with the customers whose lawns he services.
What three words best describe you?
Attentive. Observant. Respectful.
“If I see something that needs to be brought to the customer’s attention, I will write a note on the invoice or try to knock at the door. Being observant allows me to focus on the lawn and make suggestions when necessary. I will always reach out to the customer in the most repectful manner possible.”
When you are not servicing lawns, what do you like to do?
“I enjoy reading. Recently, I’m interested in historical biographies and true crime stories. I also like watching documentaries on nature and history. My fiance and I also enjoy going to the theatre and seeing plays.”
What do you like best about working at Lawn Doctor?
“I enjoy being on the lawn and working in this field in general. Whether it’s driving the truck on the way to service or being outside working, it makes me happy. I enjoy talking to our customers and hope that I can make a small difference in people’s lives.”
What is the most important piece of advice you would like to share with our customers?
“Practicing proper cutting techniques is so important to the health of the lawn. Once you know that most lawn diseases result from poor cutting, you will always allow your grass to grow to a height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Our service on a properly cut lawn makes all the difference.”
What is your favorite season and why?
“Fall is my favorite season because you have nice clothing options. I like to look sharp; I’m not a sloppy dresser.”
How do you believe success should be measured?
“When you look in the rearview mirror of life, if the good outweighs the bad, then you’ve been successful.”
If you had intro music, what would it be and why?
“It would definitely be a song by a country artist; either Jelly Roll, Alan Jackson or Kane Brown depending on what I’m walking up on.”
Who in your life brings you the most joy?
“Definitely my fiance. She is always on my mind. I think she is the best.”
What do you think you are best at?
“I think I’m good at relating to people. Finding common ground is always important when you are communicating. It’s easy to find common ground when you listen.” John enjoys talking to people and he is looking forward to meeting you on the lawn.
Matt McNeal
Matt McNeal started with us in 2023. After five weeks of training out in the field and hours of in-house instruction and certification, Matt was ready for his own route. He first learned of the opening at Lawn Doctor through his friend and former highschool classmate Brandon, who worked with us for a few years. What sealed his interest in becoming a Lawn Doctor service technician was working outside with our specialized machinery. Over the past season, Matt has received a lot of positive feedback from customers.
Please share your personal motto with us
“My motto is to leave a place better than how I found it. If there are a few toys or small items on the lawn, I’ll move them, and I always make sure the blower is used to clear any pellets from the walk or driveway.” During seeding season, he was conscious of getting good coverage and is looking forward to seeing great results.
What advice would you like to give our customers?
“Make sure you are watering your lawn properly and cutting it 3-1/2 to 4 inches. Keeping your trees trimmed will also help promote a healthy lawn.”
Are you a dog or cat person?
“A dog person, but I like all animals. I had a black lab growing up and am aware of opening and closing gates. I want customers to know I care.”
What do you like doing when you are not working for Lawn Doctor?
“I play the bass drum with the130 member strong Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. I also teach drumming and visual movement of drumming at Great Valley and Marple Newtown High Schools.” He likes teaching, explaining that it’s fun to see the kids grow through the course of a year.
Matt must audition each year to earn a place with the Reading Buccaneers, which is open to all ages. The Bucs placed first in their division the last two years. Matt looks forward to marching competitively as well as taking part in several parades this summer and the band competition this year which takes place in Indianapolis. First becoming involved with drumming in Middle School, he now has 12 years of band and marching experience. This shows Matt’s commitment to what he starts and the follow through to do it right. A lot of the same can be said for the way Matt performs his job daily as a Lawn Doctor tech.
Mike Markland
Mike Markland started with us in September 2024. His previous work experience included many years in the landscape business. His strong work ethic and eagerness to learn the Lawn Doctor program lean to a perfect fit. Mike has an upbeat personality and looks forward to meeting you on the lawn. He’s committed to doing a great job with every service he performs.
What three words best describe you?
Meticulous. Happy/Content. Determined.
“I’m meticulous in looking in detail at the lawn I am servicing.
Generally, I’m a very happy person who is easy to talk to. I really like it when a customer comes up to me and asks me questions.
I’m determined everyday to meet our customer’s expectations.”
When you are not out in the field servicing lawns, what do you enjoy doing?
“I have a wide circle of friends. We get together and play cornhole and I’m on a couple softball teams. I also like shooting hoops with friends. In the Spring and Summer, I look forward to playing softball with the County and Church leagues. Because I’ve been doing this for four years now, I’m fully committed to my teams!”
What is the most important piece of advice you can offer our customers?
“Watering the lawn properly in conjunction with our services. It can make the difference between a good lawn and a great lawn.”
What is your favorite season and why?
“That’s easy: Summer. It’s warm and sunny, the days are long so after work you can still be active. I enjoy going down to Dewey Beach with friends and spending time fishing with my family.”
How do you measure success?
“I measure success in overall happiness. If you are living life with a happy outlook, you are a very successful person. I really enjoy my time with friends and family, and we have a great relationship. I feel that makes me very successful”.
If you had introductory music/walk on music, what would it be and why?
“I grew up listening to country music which carry a lot of positive messages. The music speaks to me in that it is genuine and that’s the kind of person I am.”
Dog or Cat?
“Dog. We always had dogs growing up. Dogs are the sweetest and most lovable creatures. We always had smaller dogs at home, but I look forward to owning a Husky, Golden Retriever or Sheppard. I started in a veterinary program and when I was told I would someday have to euthanize pets, I had a change of heart.”
What do you like best about working for Lawn Doctor?
“I like seeing the lawns transform. I enjoy talking to our customers about lawn care and I get a lot of personal satisfaction in seeing my work make a difference. I’m outside and active and that makes me happy. Before working at Lawn Doctor, I was in the landscaping business. Being an LD Technician is different from my previous job because this is more technical and brings in the scientific aspect of lawn care whereas landscaping was a more mechanical approach.”
