Soils Alive — Our Team

Soils Alive Founder, Michael Bosco
Michael Bosco started in the service business with Rid-All Pest Control, Inc, owned and operated by the Bosco family. Along with structural pest control he offered lawn fertilization progams for his clients. While in college at Tarleton State University he became interested in Soil Science and organic agricultural practices. After graduating in 1996 with a BS degree in Plant and Soil Science he converted all his chemical fertilization programs to organic and began offering organic pest and fertilization programs. In 1997 Michael founded Soils Alive, LLC and began to build a company that could deliver the best organic fertilization program and personalized service in the industry.

Soils Alive :: Dallas-Fort Worth

Soils Alive Dallas-Fort Worth General Manager, Justin Cernoch
Justin Cernoch has worked in a variety of fields ranging from construction to restaurant management. He has been a lifelong friend of the Bosco family, and in 1999 when Michael wanted to expand the company, he asked Justin to come aboard. Since then Justin has become the general manager of Soils Alive, and oversees all customer accounts. Justin is a licensed certified applicator by the Structural Pest Control Board of Texas in all categories of lawn and ornamental maintenance.

 

Soils Alive Organic Application Specialist, Denis Duffy
Denis Duffy has more than 30 years experience in the green industry. He began his career as a park maintenance supervisor for seven years. He was a commercial plant grower for another seven years, with two years in plant research and development. For the last sixteen years Denis has involved himself in all phases of fertilization applications and management. Most recently he completed a three year term on both the Dallas County / Texas A&M University Coop Horticulture and Master Gardeners Advisory committees. Denis joined Soils Alive in 2005 as an organic fertilization & application specialist.

Organic Application Specialist, Chris Lowry
Chris Lowry is a native Texan and a true outdoorsman. His work and recreation, past and present, has always involved nature. Chris began his professional career and education in the lawn care and landscaping business in 2000, having worked with several well respected Dallas landscape operations. He is proficient in traditional methods of treatment and maintenance. Having embraced organic treatment techniques and methods, Chris joined Soils Alive in 2006 as a full-time organic application specialist. He is committed to providing customers a positive organic lawn care service experience.


Soils Alive DFW Office Manager, Teresa Rowell
Our newest team member at Soils Alive, Teresa Rowell has enjoyed a career as a key contributor to a wholesale business in DFW for many years. She also brings with her green industry experience through her previous work with the Texas Department of Agriculture as well as owning her own greenhouse and plant retail business. Teresa is already enjoying her role as office manager of Soils Alive, and working in an environmentally-friendly atmosphere that values family.

 

Soils Alive :: Houston

Soils Alive Houston General Manager, John Gardner
After 20 years downtown with The Houston Chronicle, John Gardner tired of wearing a suit. So he turned his love of organic horticulture into a business—Urban Worms Organics. His company achieved success by keeping central Houston landscapes green and healthy through science-based organics. When Soils Alive first set their sights on serving the Houston area in 2007, John was their natural choice to run the operation. Although busy these days, John still takes time to tend his backyard jungle and raise his composting worms.

Soils Alive Houston Organic Application Specialist, Danny Patrick
While attending Lamar University in Beaumont, Danny Patrick first endeavored into the workforce as a Certified Technician with Tri-City Exterminating. Danny enjoyed his position while taking on more responsibility and advancing quickly. In 2007, Danny jumped at the opportunity to be an Organic Application Specialist with Soils Alive Houston, helping customers in a sustainable way while working in a healthy environment. Danny is now licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture as a Certified Applicator in Ornamental Turf & Plant, Pest & Weed Control.

 

Soils Alive :: Austin

Soils Alive Austin General Manager, Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross is dedicated to the proposition that healthy soil makes healthy plants and therefore a healthy environment. When she discovered that traditional agriculture in Texas has its roots in living, vibrant soil, Betsy instinctively gravitated towards an understanding of soil biology. Betsy has trained under Elaine Ingham, Ph.D. and studied to become one of the regions’s authorities on the science and technique of building an optimal, efficient Soil Foodweb. As Texas’ foremost expert on the “Soil Foodweb”, she is a certified Soil Foodweb Advisor and consultant. In addition to owning and operating several family businesses, Betsy is now the general manager of Soils Alive's operations in the North Austin area.