Meet Our Team

  • Wally Batts, Owner & Founder

    Wally graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Agribusiness Management, Livestock and Poultry Management and General Agriculture. He is certified as an NC Landscape Contractor and NC Pesticide Applicator. He started Progreen soon after graduation with a lawnmower and a dream.

    Today, while Wally oversees all aspects of the business his primary role is leading and heading up the Install Division. Wally enjoys working with homeowners to design an outdoor space they love and can enjoy. In his free time Wally enjoys hunting, fishing, grilling and spending time with his wife, Madalyn, and 2 daughters, Layton and Sawyer.

  • Thad Bridgers, Maintenance & Turf Care Division Manager

    Thad has been a part of the Progreen team since its inception. As the first employee of Progreen, Thad has done it all though today his focus is maintenance and turf. He graduated from North Carolina State University with two degrees, Ornamental Horticulture and Turf Grass Management. He is certified as an NC Landscape Contractor and NC Pesticide Applicator.

    In his free time Thad enjoys being on the water fishing & hunting. Thad and his wife, Lauren, have just become parents to their adorable little girl, Ellie Mae, who's been keeping them on their toes.

  • Allen Jones, Plant Health Care Division Manager

    Allen is the newest member of the Progreen team, heading up the Plant Health Care Division. He graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Plant Science. He has an NC Pesticide Applicator license and is an ISA Certified Arborist.

    Allen enjoys hiking, traveling, grilling and spending time with his girlfriend, Jenny as well as his two teenagers - Adam and Katheryn.

  • Karen Furca, Office Manager

    Karen joined the Progreen team in 2019, taking charge of daily operations, accounting, and human resources. Her impact on our business has been so significant that we jokingly refer to everything before 2019 as BK (Before Karen)!

    Before Progreen, Karen had a career at a major pathology lab in Boston, bringing with her expertise in human resources, account management, and operations.

    When she's not busy transforming our business, Karen finds joy in gardening, exploring new places, cooking, and cherishing moments with her husband and two furry companions., Lola & Papi.