A natural born entrepreneur, Chris applied to only one school, Babson College, and excelled in the Entrepreneurial Studies Program. In fact, he ran and operated his business while attending Babson, continuing this dedication through all four years as a student athlete and serving as lacrosse captain his senior year. Upon graduation, Chris cemented his passion for business and horticulture by writing a business plan and moving back to North Andover to pursue his goals. Chris’ second passion is coaching, and his support and participation in town athletics reaches far and wide, earning him a prestigious award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives for “Commitment and Dedication to the Youth of North Andover.” When it’s time to relax, you’ll find Chris with his family enjoying the mountains of Vermont or the seashore in Maine. Chris, Nicole, and their four girls are certainly happiest being active and enjoying nature!
NICOLE DOWNER - PRESIDENT
Nicole holds bachelors from Colgate University & masters from Boston University & is a 20 year veteran of the landscaping industry. Nicole left a career in education to join Chris in his journey to build Downer Brothers into an industry leader, & they are partners in life, family, & business. Nicole started in the back office, helping Chris grow & build the business, & as the kids grew older, she had the time to branch into horticultural & earn her master gardener certification. Nicole now runs the Horticultural Maintenance Department & is an Account Manager for the larger residential accounts. She is passionate about maintaining beautiful spaces for her clients to enjoy - as one who love entertaining on her outdoor patio & kitchen, she understands the joy these spaces bring.
ANGIE ALLEN - ASLA, MLA, MUEP - LANDSCAPE DESIGNER & ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING MANAGER
Bringing over 15 years of experience in landscape design, environmental planning and sustainable building practices, Angie’s professional portfolio spans the public and private sectors & ranges from large-scale regional master plans down to construction detailing. She has contributed to award-winning projects across the country. Believing the most successful projects come from collaboration, she takes a hands-on approach to design & installation, working with the homeowner & our construction team to develop a cohesive overall design with attention to the smallest details. Regardless of the scale of the project, Angie strives to create beautiful, functional landscapes tailored to each client. Angie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mary Washington & continued on to the University of Virginia to earn a Master in Landscape Architecture & a Master in Urban & Environmental Planning. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects & American Planning Association. Angie loves to read, run & play tennis.