About Us

CEO

As CEO of Downer Brothers, Chris Downer leads with an entrepreneurial instinct that revealed itself remarkably early — he launched his first venture alongside his brother at just eight years old. That drive carried him to Babson College and its top-ranked entrepreneurship program, where he studied entrepreneurship and captained the lacrosse team before returning to North Andover to build Downer Brothers full-time.

Today he pairs a sharp business mind with a genuine passion for growing the company the right way. Equally defining is his commitment to the community: for decades Chris has coached youth sports, served on the youth lacrosse board, and given back to the local Youth Center and area schools, making a lasting impact across the region. His dedication to local athletics earned him special recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Chris is an avid paddle player and loves spending his downtime with Nicole and their daughters, hiking, skiing, and relaxing along the Maine coast.

President & Landscape Designer

Nicole Downer is the President of Downer Brothers Landscaping, where she shapes the company’s vision, mission, and people-first culture. A horticulturalist at heart, she brings a deep passion for plant material and its care to her role as Lead Landscape Designer, specializing in high-end residential projects and guiding clients through a white-glove design and installation experience rooted in craftsmanship, clarity, and care. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, a master’s from Boston University, and is a Master Gardener.

Beyond her own projects, she is a devoted champion of strong company culture and of mentoring women in the Green Industry, believing that female voices are vital to its future. She stays active across the field as a speaker at the Lawn & Landscape Conference, a guest on several podcasts, and a host of industry events, and at the company’s home office.

Outside of work, Nicole is a mom of four daughters who loves skiing, time with family in Maine, and hiking with her black lab.

Manager of Accounts and Business Development

Sean Belanger brings 30 years of Green Industry experience to Downer Brothers, with deep expertise across turf management, horticulture, landscaping, and client service. He began his career on high-end golf courses and rose to become a Golf Course Superintendent — work that instilled a lasting appreciation for attention to detail, consistency, and pride in a job well done. As Manager of Accounts and Business Development, he leads the client-facing side of the business, growing relationships across commercial and residential landscape, enhancement, and snow and ice services while keeping the work grounded in clear communication and quality delivery.

What Sean values most is the relationship. He takes the time to listen, understand each client’s goals, and deliver practical, thoughtful solutions that fit their needs and their budget — results clients can count on season after season.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys hiking and skiing in the Green and White Mountains, working on his golf swing, and spending time at the beach with his wife.

Construction Sales & Project Manager

Joe ensures every project runs smoothly from design to completion while building long-term client relationships. With decades of experience in hardscape and masonry, including owning his own company, Joe specializes in large-scale residential installations. He’s a certified equipment operator and ICPI/NCMA installer, and enjoys coaching youth football and playing music.

Maintenance Division Manager

Chip Raines joins Downer Brothers as an accomplished operations leader who sees workplace safety as the foundation of operational excellence. With more than two decades of experience across commercial field operations and institutional facilities management, he has built his career around protecting the health and wellbeing of large-scale workforces. At a previous organization of more than 100 employees, Chip’s commitment to protective protocols and risk mitigation helped earn 2024 NALP Gold Status for Safety, reaching a milestone of no vehicle accidents and no missed workdays.

As a dedicated Safety Coordinator, Chip has designed and led comprehensive training programs, including OSHA 10, CPR/AED, and specialized seasonal safety protocols, for hundreds of field and seasonal employees. He holds OSHA 30 and Advanced Snow Manager (ASM) certifications, and he excels at conducting rigorous property audits and managing risk across complex portfolios. Across a career that reaches into higher-education facilities management, Chip has proven that strong safety standards drive better project quality, stronger employee retention, and lasting bottom-line success.

Horticulture Division Manager

Account Manager & Enhancement Designer

Liz brings a strong foundation in plant care and design, grounded in her background in Biology and Ecology. Since joining Downer Brothers Landscaping, she has worked closely with senior horticulture designers and continues to deepen her expertise through ongoing education, including certificates in Landscape Design and Dynascape. She is currently working toward her MCLP certification.

As an account manager and enhancement designer, Liz supports residential clients through thoughtful planting design, seasonal containers, and annual color. She values clear communication, proactive service, and collaborative relationships that help properties evolve beautifully and remain healthy throughout the seasons. Outside of work, Liz is a certified yoga instructor who enjoys hiking, the beach, and sharing her love of plants with her two young daughters.

Controller

Kelly supports clients with invoicing and contract questions, drawing from 30+ years of experience in accounting and finance across industries like engineering and landscaping. She joined DBL in 2020 and holds a BS in Accounting, an MBA, and a CIA designation. Kelly enjoys boating, travel, and time with her grandchildren.

Customer Experience Manager

Ali Garcia brings over 10 years of experience in customer service and client support, with a strong focus on clear communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail. She takes pride in creating a smooth, organized experience and helping clients feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Ali is passionate about building trust through reliable communication and being a consistent, dependable resource for both clients and team members. Drawn to Downer Brothers for its family-oriented culture and commitment to quality, she values being part of a team that truly cares about the people they serve. Outside of work, Ali enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies and shows, and learning new skills.

Design Build Coordinator

Thompson manages project timelines, client communication, and design packages across the design-build process. A recent graduate from UMass Amherst with a degree in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, he brings fresh perspective and design skills to the team. Outside of work, Thompson enjoys sketching and playing the drums.

Business Analyst

Abbie Downer brings a systems-minded, people-first approach to helping Downer Brothers Landscaping operate smarter and grow stronger. She holds a Master’s in Business Analytics and a background in operations, turning complex information into clear, actionable insights that support better decision-making across the company.

Abbie builds reporting, dashboards, and internal systems that improve efficiency, profitability, communication, and accountability. She’s driven by creating a culture where people feel supported, recognized, and empowered to grow.

Outside of work, you’ll find Abbie staying active outdoors—often on a lacrosse field. A former collegiate player and current coach, she brings energy, discipline, and a team-first mindset every day.

Landscape Lighting & Irrigation Specialist

HJ has been with Downer Brothers for over 13 years and is a valued member of our technical operations team, specializing in low voltage landscape lighting and irrigation. HJ also lends a hand on construction and enhancement projects and is skilled in plantings and hardscape projects. He has a keen eye for quality and understands our high standards and works with our team to ensure a high level of execution. He studied at UMass Amherst and worked in the auto industry for 20 years before joining our team. HJ’s hobbies include boating, snowmobiling, and ice hockey.

Production Manager

Elvis Sanchez brings 18 years of experience in the landscape industry and a strong foundation built through hands-on growth. Starting as a maintenance worker, he steadily expanded his skills across lawn care, hardscaping, and equipment operation—working with both small engines and large machinery. At Downer Brothers Landscaping, he has contributed to both the maintenance and construction divisions, building the experience that led to his role as Production Manager.

Elvis is driven to keep learning and growing, always looking ahead to the next opportunity to improve. Outside of work, he values time with his daughters, as being a father is one of the most important parts of his life. He also enjoys traveling and experiencing new places.

Lawn Care Manager

Scott brings curiosity, precision, and a client-first mindset to his role as Lawn Care Manager at Downer Brothers. Now in his second season with the team, he leads our turf care program with a focus on soil health, nutrient timing, and long-term results. Scott’s path to landscaping was unconventional — he earned a degree in video game design from the University of Utah — but his background in systems thinking and problem-solving translates seamlessly to the science of healthy lawns.

Scott’s experience spans both the field and the office, giving him a unique understanding of what great lawn care requires behind the scenes and on the ground. He’s passionate about helping clients achieve vibrant, resilient turf through customized fertilization programs grounded in horticultural best practices. Scott brings creativity, focus, and a love for the outdoors to everything he does.

Operations Administrator

Rachel Garcia brings over 12 years of customer service experience to her role as Operations Administrator at Downer Brothers Landscaping. With a strong commitment to organization, communication, and follow-through, Rachel plays a key role in keeping daily operations running smoothly across the company, helping ensure that both our team and our clients experience the high level of care and consistency that defines Downer Brothers.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and fishing, stargazing on clear nights, and getting creative through crafting. She also loves playing video games with her family, making the most of quality time together.