Jerry Schrack
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Jerry Schrack

JERRY R. SCHRACK JR
Wilmington, DE 19803 •------------ • ------------
LANDSCAPING/HORTICULTURE/HOUSEKEEPING/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Arboriculture | Horticulture | Leadership | Project Management
Analytical and resourceful professional with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of facilities maintenance, environmental services, horticulture, landscaping, arboriculture, project construction, fleet management, and conservation management spanning the public and private environments. Certified Arborist and Horticulturist with a proven track record in inspecting trees, determining appropriate actions, conducting pruning and plant health care training programs, and implementing best management practices for tree care. Instrumental in establishing highly effective plans and directing teams to maintain agriculture research farm, museum exhibits, sculpture gardens, and common grounds. Decisive leader, adept at developing and implementing effective strategies to manage all aspects of custodial, housekeeping, landscaping, facilities, and grounds operations.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
? Tree Protection, Pruning, Cultivation ? Hazard Identification & Control ? Plant Collection & Annual Exhibits
? Plant/Tree Risk Assessment ? Annual & Permanent Landscape Plans ? Public Horticulture & Arboriculture
? Implementing Sustainability Program ? Capital Landscape Design & Installation ? Contractor Services & Projects
? Preventive Maintenance Procedures ? Landscaping & Housekeeping Operations ? Environmental Awareness
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO PHILADELPHIA, PA
Director of Garden Operation Jan 2004 – Feb 2019
Leveraged strong leadership expertise in directing all day-to-day operations of custodial and housekeeping services, facility and grounds management, recycling, event logistics, horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping, fleet management for one of the region’s premier public attraction with 1.3M in annual attendance. Spearheaded all facets of winter weather notification and oversaw all snow/ice removal operations throughout the zoo and perimeter public roads and parking lots.
? Streamlined overall maintenance process by devising and applying an effective computerized maintenance program to ensure proper functioning and maintenance of equipment, building assets, and housekeeping functions and requests; resulted in slashing budget by 20% and realizing a significant increase in productivity.
? Successfully initiated sustainability program to manage stormwater, compost, hazardous waste, and institution-wide recycling including comingle, paper/cardboard, and ferrous metals.
? Oversee housekeeping, grounds, gardeners, and equipment operators for campus cleanliness, housekeeping, and event departments as well as all contractor services and projects.
? Planned, designed and executed stormwater, green roof, and rain garden projects throughout the zoo and exterior properties, which resulted in increasing stormwater capture rate by 50% and previous surface by 40%.
? Optimized workflow procedures by developing a fleet operation program, implementing a work order system, tracking PM and repair costs, and creating life cycle and fleet replacement schedule.
? Executed tree risk evaluation and collection plan to control tree inventory, maintain tree condition and reduce tree hazard risk.
USDA-BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER BELTSVILLE, MD
Lead Horticulture/Acting Farm Manager Nov 2002 – Jan 2004
Led all day-to-day activities of gardener and equipment operator staff to maintain 6,000-acre agriculture research farm in Beltsville, Maryland while managing the overall process of site redesign after the local tornado.
? Played a role as an acting Farm Manager in administering all farm operations, housekeeping, and horticulture departments.
? Conducted and led effective pruning and plant health care training program for staff and volunteers.
? Served as an active member of agency-wide sustainability committee and advisory team.
? Created and applied landscape master design for BARC following the 2001 tornado.
THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART BALTIMORE, MD
Landscape and Grounds Manager Jan 2002 – Nov 2002
Oversaw and led daily functions of a cross-functional team of landscaping and housekeeping staff to maintain museum exhibits, 2 renowned sculpture gardens, and common grounds.
? Effectively built and installed annual displays and permanent plantings in historic sculpture gardens.
? Formulated written procedures for preventive maintenance for building maintenance and sculpture art.
? Planned and executed weather related site preparedness and recovery initiatives.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, DC
Horticulturist May 1998 – Jan 2000
Steered a multidisciplinary team of gardeners and equipment operators to maintain the plant collection and annual exhibits at 8 museums spanning across 150 acres. Achieved a promotion to higher responsibility position to lead all facets of the public horticulture and arboriculture for the historic American history museum on the DC mall.
? Handpicked to manage the capital landscape design and installation project for The American Indian Cultural Research Center.
? Designed and installed all annual and permanent landscape plans for 8 museums and support centers.
? Chosen to administer the land development plan for all outpost museums managed by the Smithsonian Institution.
? Controlled all aspects of event management and snow/ice removal for all Smithsonian Institution grounds and sites.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Landscape Supervisor/Project Manager |THE BRICKMAN GROUP | MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD | Apr 1996 – May 1998
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in Landscaping Contracting with Business – The Pennsylvania State University – University Park, PA
Certifications & Licenses: ISA Certified Arborist | Pennsylvania Pesticide License in Turf & Exterior Ornamental Categories | OSHA Forklift & Platform Lift Certification | Commercial Class B Driver’s License | FEMA National Incident Management System Certification | ICS 100, 700, 800, 271A