Kerin out as BrightView CEO

Photo © Mike Morgan

Pat Velasco has been named interim CEO of BrightView, replacing Andrew Kerin. BrightView has not confirmed the move, but the company’s website was updated moments ago with Velasco’s new title and biography.

According the website, Velasco’s career “has included positions in several Fortune 500 companies, including Ecolab and Black & Decker. Most recently he served as CEO and later chairman of the Board of Capital Safety, a leading manufacturer of fall protection safety equipment. Pat serves on the boards of Gardner Denver, Crosby and the Gary Sinise Foundation. He also serves on BrightView’s Board of Directors.”

The former Brickman CEO is departing BrightView after being named CEO in May 2014 when KKR, Brickman’s parent company, officially acquired ValleyCrest. ValleyCrest’s Roger Zino was named vice chairman at the time, but stepped down in late 2015.  BrightView ranked first on Lawn & Landscape's Top 100 list with $2 billion in 2015 revenue.

Brickman and ValleyCrest officially became branded as BrightView in March.

Updated at 3:03

BrightView has confirmed Kerin’s departure in a press release below.

ROCKVILLE, Md. BrightView announced today that Andrew Kerin is stepping down as CEO of the company. Mr. Kerin will be succeeded on an interim basis by Pat Velasco, who will become interim CEO, effective immediately.

Mr. Kerin is departing BrightView after successfully combining two leaders in the landscape services industry, the Brickman Group and ValleyCrest Companies. "We thank Andrew for his service to BrightView over the past four years. Andrew helped lead the transformative merger of Brickman and ValleyCrest to form BrightView, the industry leader in landscaping and snow services," said Paul Raether, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BrightView.

Mr. Velasco has a wide and varied background as an executive within global industrial and service companies.  Mr. Velasco previously served first as CEO and then as Chairman of Capital Safety, now an integral part of the 3M family of safety businesses.  As Chairman, Mr. Velasco saw Capital Safety grow sales at an average annual rate of 10 percent.  During his tenure, the company also won the Minnesota Governor's Safety Award.

"For many years I have seen BrightView team members, and those of the company's predecessors, enhancing and contributing to our local communities. I am thrilled to support BrightView in the next steps of its journey," said Mr. Velasco.

Mr. Velasco currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Gardner Denver, Crosby, and PurePOWER Technologies, and will join the Board of BrightView. He is also on the Board of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Prior to his roles at Capital Safety, Mr. Velasco worked at multiple companies, including Ecolab and Black & Decker.

BrightView is working with Korn Ferry to retain a permanent CEO.