Meet The Professional Team
Crystal Arlington, CSP, CLP
President/CEO
Crystal Arlington, President/CEO of Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, Inc., (‘AGMG’) has led her company to record growth in both supplier diversity and facility management customers in the past 10 years. Today, AGMG, headquartered in Lake City, Pennsylvania, provides landscape management, lawn maintenance, lot sweeping, power washing, snow removal and ice management, and other exterior services to facilities in over 31 states.
Crystal oversees the management of 4,000 contractor companies who are part of AGMG’s diverse Affiliate Partners. Her national dual certification in landscape (‘LICM’), previously known as 'CLP', and snow and ice management (‘CSP’)—she is the only female in North America to hold both—contributes to her success as the President and CEO of AGMG and as an industry leader. She serves on the National Going Green Committee for SIMA, and believes business owners have a responsibility to understand their actions in relation to the environment and to work toward sustainability for future generations. As such, Crystal is currently in the process of obtaining her Green Associate Certification (also known as LEED) with the U.S. Green Building Council (‘USBC’) as another step to fulfilling this responsibility.
Her exterior maintenance industry experience traces as far back as her teen years working for her father in the family snow and ice management business. Crystal’s hands-on experience with a wide-range of exterior maintenance services gives her greater insights as a president and CEO on how to offer the best service while achieving the greatest operational efficiencies for AGMG’s clients.
Richard Arlington, CSP, CLP
National Business Manager & Consultant
Richard Arlington possesses 25 years of experience providing exterior services to the facility management industry. In 2000, he joined Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, as the Company’s national business manager and consultant. He also currently serves as the acting chief financial officer and oversees contracts and risk and liability for AGMG. As an AGMG consultant, Rich works closely with the current management team to implement the Company’s strategic plan. He consults on a regular basis with both AGMG’s national contract manager and the national account manager to ensure a cohesive implementation of the AGMG systems and processes. In his position as consultant, he advises AGMG on methods to increase contractor and client retention.
Rich also travels throughout North America to speak on a wide range of business and industry related topics. He holds two national industry certifications—Landscape Industry Certified Manager (‘LICM’), previously known as 'CLP', through PLANET and Certified Snow Professional (‘CSP’) from the Snow and Ice Management Association known as SIMA—and volunteers on numerous industry association committees. He is currently a SIMA board member and a PLANET Member Consultant and Trailblazer.
In addition to his work at AGMG, Rich went on to establish an outside consulting firm, Rich Arlington & Associates, in 2005. Rich Arlington & Associates offers training, risk management, and financial expertise to facility owners and managers and those in the exterior service industry. In this role, Rich helps facility management to increase their exterior operational efficiencies—without jeopardizing safety—in order to improve facility budgets and save thousands of dollars annually. He specializes in litigation consulting in the areas of snow management and landscape practices. Facility owners have come to rely on Rich’s wealth of knowledge and experience to address potential and current risk or safety concerns. In addition, Rich continues to oversee Arlington Lawncare, his first brainchild formed in 1987, based in Erie, Pennsylvania where he resides with his family. This company provides lawn, landscape and snow management services and currently employs a 30-person staff and 200 subcontractors.
In these dual roles, Rich has helped spearhead AGMG’s exceptional growth and success.
E. Michael Folmar
National Account Manager
As a National Account Manager Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, Inc., Mike Folmar’s main responsibilities include the training and implementation of the process and system for the nationwide network of account managers; the coordination of all new clients into the national network system; and the coordination and oversight of the site visit surveys implementation, as well as, pre and post season inspections at client facilities. Mike also works directly with new clients to ensure startup of services correlates to the scope of work as agreed upon.
AGMG’s benefits from Mike’s strong background in customer service, marketing, management, and building positive client relations. His extensive experience in both sales and developing and preparing long range strategic business plans to maximize growth and profitability is an asset to AGMG’s clients. Prior to joining AGMG in 2008, Mike was the business development manager for Manpower, based in Erie, PA, and a sales manager for Kubinski Business Systems. In both positions, he was responsible for all new business development and strategic planning, as well as, managing accounts, presentations and negotiations. In addition, Mike facilitated trade and training seminars for sales representatives and potential clients; a skill he now utilizes in the training and oversight of over 4,000 AGMG affiliate partner contractors.
Mike’s educational background includes a degree from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey and completion of Sandler Sales Training program. His outstanding interpersonal skills and networking capabilities, along with his dedication to excellence in both his work and those he oversees, contributes to AGMG’s outstanding client and partnering contractor retention rates.
Sherry Lindsey
National Administrative Assistant
As the National Administrative Assistant of Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, Inc., Sherry Lindsey responsibilities include the coordination of all national and regional RFP responses, vendor/supplier diversity applications, event planning, market research, and the administrative oversight of the Company’s national headquarters.
Sherry’s executive organizational skills, along with her extensive computer and software knowledge allow AGMG to provide effective management of its affiliate partners and efficient project management. Prior to joining AGMG, Sherry worked for Local Insight Media/The Berry Co, LLC, a Welch, Carson, Anderson & Stowe Company, for seven years where she was selected by management as a “Dream-Team” member for her outstanding dedication and commitment to the company. At the core of Sherry’s professional experience is a high level of customer service, including servicing both national and Canadian accounts. Sherry also specialized in event and promotions planning for a an Erie based marketing firm and she utilizes these skills to coordinate all of AGMG’s on-going participation and support at national and international trade shows and educational seminars.
Sherry holds an Associates of Science in Business Administration from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her administrative education, Sherry possesses a working knowledge of horticulture and she has previous experience working in the field for a large nursery wholesaler. AGMG, its clients and affiliate partners all benefit from Sherry’s high level of professionalism and ability to execute tasks with efficiency and care.
Julie Riordan
National Contract Manager
As the National Contract Manager of Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, Inc., Julie Riordan reviews and oversees all of the Company’s contracts, including work orders and emergency service requests. In this role, Julie relies on her strong communication and organizational skills, along with her knowledge and expertise in operations and facility management, to handle all contractor files and data collection on a daily basis. Julie interacts with the Account Manager to effectively resolve any issues which may arise, and she is directly responsible for customer service at the corporate level. She also oversees contractor payments and directly verifies all billing for AGMG.
Julie possesses an extensive background in client and customer relations servicing that includes contract negotiations. Prior to joining AGMG, Julie served over ten years as the property manager, office manager and director of finance at Spiegel Management Inc. in Erie, PA. AGMG, its clients and affiliate partners all benefit from Julie’s experience in operations, construction and risk management, as well as, her ability to oversee large annual budgets and supervise a sizeable staff of both maintenance and office personnel. Julie holds a degree in business accounting and she is experienced in GAAP accounting and the preparation of financial reports and budgets. She is also licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Her insights into best business practices for facility management coupled with her strong accounting and budgeting skills are significant assets to AGMG’s clients and the Company’s success and continued growth.
