Our Apes

Experienced in the trade since 1987, Shayne Newman founded YardApes, Inc. in 1990 and holds the title of President. He hails from Telluride Colorado, but has lived in New Milford for the past 22 years. Shayne holds a B.S. in Finance from UCONN, is a Certified Landscape Professional, Certified Landscape Technician, holds a Connecticut Supervisory Pesticide License and is a Certified Landscape Designer. He is also a CNLA committee member, founding member of  the Connecticut  CLT committee on training & testing, Professional Landcare Network PR committee member and MVPSOS advisory board member.

He enjoys time with his wife, Jennifer, and three daughters, Liliana, Marlee, and Ava. In his spare time you can find him coaching the YardApes softball team, gardening, skiing, or hacking up the golf course.

Shayne was featured on the cover of the January 2007 issue of Lawn & Landscape Magazine.

Greg is our Operations Manager and has been with YardApes for seven years. In this position, he is responsible for the day to day operations, scheduling, crew management, quality control and safety. He is a life long resident of Gaylordsville, is single and like Nellie, lovin' it. On any given evening or weekend you can find him playing softball, bowling, or golfing.

Greg is CLT certified, ICPI Certified he has also successfully completed the OSHA certification program and is presently enrolled in the Horticultural program at NVCC. Even with this busy schedule, he finds time to volunteer as a judge at the CLT exams, attend the CT Nursery & Landscape Assoc. Conference, CT Groundskeepers Assoc. Conference and the annual Green Industry Conference.

Greg was our 2002 Fantasy Footbal League Champion. Although, he did finish first to last in 2006.

Elaine hangs her hat in Roxbury. She is responsible for attracting new customers, assessing market opportunities and also manages customer service for YardApes.

After her husband, her first love is riding around Litchfield County in her red Miata with the top down. Close second would be gardening, or in bad weather, you can find her in Manhattan shopping. If all else fails give her a good book and a hammock.

Dave Hawkins
International Relations

Dave Hawkins, AKA the Toughest Spanish Teacher in New Milford, enjoys serving the company in the area of translation. He enjoys walking around the flower beds while throwing mulch. Dave's been with the company for over four years, is not single, and loving it.

Dave is an expert when it comes to playing "UNO" - whether in English or Spanish. He plans on training his own two little apes in the way of the great Ape.

2008 APE OF THE YEAR!

Roberto was raised in Narajito, Ecuador but now calls New Milford home, along with his wife and three children, Derrick, David and baby daughter, Dahlia born in April, 2008. As an Estate Management Forman, Roberto works on all our large landscaping jobs. He is CLT Certified, has has his Operators License in Pest Management, and is presently working on his Supervisor's license.

Besides bowling, Roberto loves going shopping in the mall as much as his wife does (although he'll deny it).

Raul loves gardening, and it’s a good thing since he works in our Estate Management Division. He was born and raised in Ecuador and joined the company in April of 2006. During his free time, Raul enjoys the traditional weekend lunches with his extended family which also includes his wife and three children. He is very passionate about carpentry, which has been a hobby since he was old enough to wield a hammer.

Adam grew up in Newtown and presently lives in Woodbury. Adam has a background in construction and is an English major at WESTCONN. He is single, loves all sports (including karate) and checking out the chicks on campus. Adam plays right field for the YardApes Softball team and leads the team in head first slides. Adam enjoys hanging with friends and family, including his brother Matt who also works for YardApes. In quieter moments he has been known to write some really awesome poetry (but don’t let him know we told you!).

A younger brother to Sean, Greg is also avid golfer (runs in the family).  He was on the winning team of the 2008 Bob Rasor Memorial Golf Classic held on July 7 at River Oaks in Sherman thanks to his 50 yard hole out for eagle on their final hole of the tournament.   Greg has donated his time (and expertise) giving free golf lessons to senior citizens and special Olympic athletes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Greg is single, enjoys being outside, playing and/or watching sports with friends.

Oswaldo comes to us from Naransito Ecuador.  He is single, and in his spare time enjoys playing soccer and working on perfecting his English. 

Chris is also a native of New Milford and is a junior at Penn State University with a major in Crime Law Justice.  He enjoys time on the lake, whether it’s waterskiing or swimming.  In the winter, Ice Hockey is his sport of choice.

Born in Bucay, Guayas, Ecuador, Juan appreciates good food and cerveza. After working with the mowing crew, he enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend and their friends.

Ramiro, our head mason, is originally from Ecuador. He now lives in New Milford with his wife and daughter.

Oscar is part of our mowing crew. He is married with a young son. El Milagro Ecuador is where he hangs his hat when not here at YardApes.