It has been said that all experience has meaning if you simply inquire.
In looking back on his journey to leading Environmental Enhancements, Inc here in Northern Virginia, our founder Fred Peratt realizes there are many people and places in the rearview mirror that continue to influence his work today.
International and Local Inspiration
While growing up, Fred lived around the world, with many of those years in Euorope where he had the opportunity to experience and appreciate iconic gardens in Holland, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. After returning to the states, his fascination with the richness of these landscapes endured, and that led to studying landscape design and horticulture at the University of Arkansas.
While in college Fred worked for the former president of Ford Motor Company managing the magnificent grounds of his estate. That experience provided many lessons in accountability and attention to detail at its highest level.
Soon thereafter, Fred worked for a food processing company in which 90% of the employees were women. He was not aware of it at the time, but this interesting dynamic helped to shape his colaborative leadership style.
After graduating from college Fred took a job with Sequoia Management Company, a subsidiary of the Sequoia Building Company. He managed 40 commercial properties for several years before accepting positions working for Chapel Valley Landscapes and Scapes Spring Gardens, both in Maryland.
After working briefly for Environmental Enhancements Landscaping, Fred recognized an opportunity to take a company that was struggling at times, to its current status as a well-managed and profitable business.
Shortly after that was accomplished, Fred assumed full ownership of the business, thereby commencing ambitious plans to become the authority in the Northern Virginia area for landscape property management, enhancements and snow service.
It is that vision that drives the company to this day.