Our Team
Peak Environmental is the destination company for the areas best landscape professionals!
Gary Benacquista
Email: gary@peakec.com
Position: General Manager
Gary spent several years in New England as a Director of Operations and General Manager in the hospitality industry. As the de facto HR person in most of the businesses he’s operated, he’s developed a passion for operational efficiency, building strong teams, and helping people to grow and love their jobs. He recently moved back to his native Guilderland with his wife, two young daughters, and two very feisty cats. In addition to spending quality time with his family, Gary loves running, coaching his kids’ teams, and trying to remember how to play the guitar like he did when he was touring with an indie-rock band called Hooray for Earth.
Christina Brownell
Email: christina@peakec.com
Position: Controller
Christina has several years of experience in accounting and data analytics in the healthcare sector, spending nearly 2 decades with Saratoga Hospital. Born and raised in NY, she currently resides in the foothills of the Adirondacks with her husband and two kids. When she’s not traveling, Christina loves going on crazy local adventures with her family such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing (although not well), and collecting unique pets. Her family currently has 2 cats, a dog, 2 snakes, a bearded dragon, and an adorable axolotl.
Steve Rowley, ICPI, ASM, CDLA
Email: steve@peakec.com
Position: Build Manager
Steve joined Peak in 2010 as a project manager. His artistic talents as well as his mechanical engineering degree made him a valuable member of our staff almost immediately. He is a highly trained Green Industry Professional with numerous accreditations, he has built award winning landscapes, and currently oversees all phases of our design/build and landscape development projects. In his free time, Steve likes to make beer, fix old cars, and ride his bike. His real passion however, is preparing for the upcoming worldwide zombie invasion. When it happens, I suggest you find Steve, he’ll be ready!
Chris Patenaude
Email: cpatenaude@peakec.com
Position: Service Manager
Chris is a life long resident of Halfmoon NY and has a Degree in Business Administration from Western New England University. He spent much of his life as an industrial contractor, a Bridge and Nuclear Inspector, and was the Global Superintendent of Coatings and Linings for Royal Caribbean before coming to Peak. He and his wife Amamda still reside in Halfmoon where they are avid Gardeners and landscapers, growing food, canning, and making wine from the garden. They spend the rest of their time camping, fishing, and hiking with their family and friends.
Tim Palmer
Email: tim@peakec.com
Title: Foreman, Hardscaping
Tim originated from the sunny state of California. In a previous life Tim worked as an art gallery director until his lovely wife convinced him to move back to her home town of Altamont, NY in 2003. Tim then began working alongside a master stonemason who happened to be his father in law. He loved the work and excelled to a point where he was a partner in the business for over 10 years. Tim lives in Clifton Park with his wife and is a father to four children and a “crazy dog” and loves kayaking, hiking, The Grateful Dead, Jazz and a good IPA.
Joe Messier
Email: joe@peakec.com
Title: Landscape Sales
Joe spent a decade plus working and managing within the hospitality industry, before making the transition to food-service equipment sales and then residential roofing sales prior to landing at Peak. After graduating from Queensbury High School, Joe received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing from Bryant University in Rhode Island. Joe lives in Glens Falls with his silly, sassy, and stylish seven-year-old daughter. In addition to Barbies, ballet, braids, and whatever else his daughter wants to get into, Joe enjoys sports (Go Celtics!), succulents, and cooking for his little girl.
Erin Maciel
Email: erin@peakec.com
Title: Landscape Architecture and Sales
Erin is an award-winning professional landscape architect with more than 15 years of experience with landscape construction. She is a plant geek at heart and has a keen sense of design to bring meaning and sustainability to every project she designs. She has the ability to transform any outdoor space into a place of gathering, reflection and joy through the use of unique design details that make each of her projects one-of-a-kind. When not practicing landscape architecture, she is a dedicated community member of Saratoga Springs and is a member of the Complete Streets Board for the City and other civic-minded groups. She is also a mom of two active boys that keep her running (pretty much non-stop) when she is not in the office or at a project site. She loves coffee from Brazil, the beach, hiking in the Adirondacks and speaking Portuguese!
Dillon Frinton
Email: dfrinton@peakec.com
Title: Foreman, Site Work
Having spent his childhood in the Adirondacks, Dillon’s genuine passion for the outdoors has become an integral part of his identity.Over the years his career has encompassed a variety of roles that span bridge construction, heavy equipment operation, site construction, logging, and land clearing. His attention to detail, honed over years of hands-on experience, is a hallmark of his work. Today, he brings his extensive skill set and meticulous work ethic to his role as our dedicated Site Work Foreman.
Dillon shares his life in Troy with his wife and their 11-year-old black lab, Lenny. Outside of work, you’ll find him playing hockey and snowmobiling in the winter, and downhill biking during the summer.
Mark Guagenti
Email: mark@peakec.com
Title: Foreman, Carpentry and Hardscaping
Originally from The Bronx, Mark has always been intrigued by high quality craftsmanship. As a US Navy Veteran, Mark received an apprenticeship as a mechanic, as well as an Advanced Scuba Certification. He also attended NYIT for a BSME. He’s a concrete Journeyman who loves all things related to carpentry and surface covering. In his free time, Mark can be found scuba diving, golfing, riding his ATV, or enjoying a round of bocce or cornhole.
Anthony Siewert
Email: asiewert@peakec.com
Title: Foreman, Grounds Maintenance
After relocating his family to Fulton County in 2020, Anthony gained foreman experience and his Applicator’s license while working in a slightly different industry. He joined our grounds team last fall and was so hard-working and infectiously enthusiastic about making commercial sites gorgeous, that we put him in charge of the division. Anthony loves days at the beach, cooking, traveling to new places, and creating new memories with his family.
Arlis Monzeglio
Email: amonzeglio@peakec.com
Title: Foreman, Softscaping
Arlis grew up in Oneonta where his family owned a Christmas tree farm, and he has been involved in horticulture and planting from a young age. When we created the softscape division, Arlis was the obvious choice to lead the crew. He also studied to be a mechanic and used to work on Porsches. He is also a very talented singer and studied to work in the music industry, but the trees were calling louder than the pipes.
Terry Hubbard
Email: terry@peakec.com
Title: President
Terry started Peak Environmental in 1997 at 22 years old. His degree in environmental science and his annual summer landscaping job were the building blocks that propelled him to start this new venture. At that time Terry had one focus, “How do I get a serious summer job that will allow me to ski all winter?” Peak Environmental was the answer. While the demands of a growing business no longer allow the ski bum lifestyle, Terry still gets a few days off during the winter to ski. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys. He is a green industry professional and he has built a culture of learning, excellence and integrity at Peak Environmental.