Meet the Team

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Mark Lay

Mark Lay (CLP, CLT) graduated Charlotte Catholic High in 1978. He had several jobs including carpenter and mechanic but always went back to mowing lawns. Back then lawn mowing was what he enjoyed the most, but the drawback was winter time. In the winter of 1980 he decided to clean gutters door to door, till gardens, and his pursuit of full service landscape management was born.

 

Mark is married and has 2 teenage daughters and a 12 year old son. He enjoys spending time at home with his family working in the yard, attending his son’s baseball games, Panther football, cooking, and being outdoors at the beach and the mountains.

 

Mark assumes the role of CEO at AA Tex Lawn. His passion is people and helping coworkers and clients succeed.

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

Cory Lay

Cory Lay (CLT) is a graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School and has lived in the Charlotte area over 30 years. He served in the US Navy during Desert Storm and Desert Shield stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA. Cory returned to Charlotte with his wife in 1992 after four years of service. Even though he had worked with Mark prior to joining the service, after returning home to Charlotte and joining AA Tex-Lawn Company full-time, he realized a passion for the Green Industry and helping others.

 

Cory and his wife of 17 years have a 12 year old son. He enjoys time with his family; hunting, fishing, and watching his son play baseball and watching Panther’s Football games with his wife.

 

Cory assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer for AA Tex-Lawn. He primarily serves the company in sales, estimating, coaching, and customer service.

 

Account Manager

 

Billy Everhardt

Employed Since March 2007
I began with AA Tex Lawn as an Area Leader and am currently an account manager. I am responsibly for providing the communication between the clients and the office. I act as a liason to the clients by making sure that the clients needs are being met by meeting with our clients, proactively addressing any issues through property inspections, and following up on the work that is done.
Previous work experience:  Before coming to AA Tex Lawn, I owned a local lawn maintenance company for 12 years.  Prior to that, I worked with Airborne Express for 17 years, ending as a District Field Services Manager.
Hobbies:  Spending time with my wife of 24 years and my daughter, who is attending college.  I am active in my church and like to spend time with friends.  I also play softball, fly fish, and am a car guy.

 

Sales/Landscape Designer

 

Audrey Duffy

Employed Since September 2008

My primary jobs with AA Tex Lawn are sales and landscape design. I have worked in the Charlotte Market since 1987. Some of the projects I've worked on include: shopping centers such as South Park, Arboretum, The Promenade, and Sycamore Commons. I've worked on projects involving the Panther's Stadium, Ballantyne Resort, office buildings, and homes all over the Charlotte area.

Previous work experience:  I’ve been in the landscape industry for 22 years.  I worked for The Original Southern Tree and Landscape Companies as everything from being a landscape maintenance foreman and sales, purchasing, inventory, and design.  I  have a BS in forestry from NC State.  I have my Certified Plantsman and Landscape Contractor License #1104 and a Six-Sigma Green Belt.
Hobbies:  Spending time with my daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and horse, gardening, hiking, and helping my daughter with her horse shows.

 

Office Manager

 

Lisa Shaffer

Employed Since December 2006
I am the office manager here at AA Tex Lawn.  I’m responsible for billing, proposals, contracts, accounts payable, fielding questions regarding our accounts, etc.  My biggest responsibility is keeping Mark and Cory on track.  I relocated to the Concord area from upstate New York 12 years ago with my husband and two daughters.
Previous work experience:  I was a QA team manager for Wachovia for 9 years.  I managed a team of 21 people in four different locations.
Hobbies:  Being outdoors, gardening, and camping.  I spend my weekends watching my daughters play soccer.

 

Truck/Equipment Maintenance

Robert Mullis

Employed Since November 2008
Robert Mullis is the head mechanic at AA Tex Lawn Company. He is tasked with keeping our equipment running safely and well. Robert brings with him a vast amount of experience. His positive attitude and his ability to hit the ground running have already made him a valuable asset for AA Tex Lawn.
Previous work experience:  Robert has 28 years experience as a mechanic. For 14 years of that time, he ran his own company, Mullis Automotive and Wrecker.
Hobbies:  Dirt track racing, building cars, and teaching sunday school at his church

 

Office Coordinator

Lori Austin

Employed Since May 2008
I am part of the office staff here at AA Tex Lawn.  My job changes every day.  I do everything from answer phones, process payroll, help with proposals, and pitch in anywhere that is needed.  Keeping a positive attitude, having an eagerness to learn new things, and having an eye for details helps me to do my best at my job.
Previous work experience:  I attended college at WVU and UNCC.  I most recently worked at Wachovia on the Quality Control and Special Projects team.  I have also worked with autistic children in the Cabarras County School system, worked with Art by Me, and served for 10 years in the US army reserves.
Hobbies:  Spending time with my family, watching my children play soccer and baseball, taking in a good movie, and playing with my dog.

 

Website Administrator/Project Manager

 

Jennifer McKinstry

Employed Since February 2008
I am the website manager here at AA Tex Lawn.  I began as an administrative assistant primarily doing data entry.  However, the office here is really a TEAM. We all fill in wherever is needed. 
Previous work experience:  I have a B.S. in computer information systems from University of West Florida.  After graduating, I worked for 10 years as a systems analyst/network administrator.  After my 3 boys were born, I spent the next 8 years working as a stay-at-home mom.
Hobbies:  playing with my children, reading, camping, trying out new restaurants.

 

Administrative Assistant

 

  Jessie Lay

Employed Since June 2007
I am Mark’s daughter.  I am an administrative assistant here at AA Tex Lawn.  I follow my family motto, “Happy, Helpful, and Friendly.”  I show this with my positive attitude and efficiency.  I graduated from David W. Butler High School in 2008 and am attending Western Carolina University.  My major is Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology and a minor in Leadership. I plan to be a second grade teacher.
Hobbies:  Dancing (she has been taking dance for 15 years), spending time with family, friends, and her sorority sisters at alpha xi delta.