HighGrove Partners Appoints Aspire Founder Mark Tipton to Board of Directors

January 20, 2026 at 06:30 AM EST

HighGrove Partners, LLC (“HighGrove”), a leading provider of commercial landscaping services from its four locations across the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area and a portfolio company of Agellus Capital (“Agellus”), today announced that Mark Tipton, founder of Aspire, has joined HighGrove’s Board of Directors, effective January 8, 2026.

Mark founded Aspire, an industry-leading software for commercial landscaping contractors, helping build it into a widely adopted business management platform. Under his leadership, Aspire scaled into a multi-million-dollar software business and became a core operating system for many of the leading landscape companies in the United States. Mark went on to lead Aspire through its acquisition by ServiceTitan.

HighGrove CEO Jim McCutcheon said, “HighGrove’s commitment to operational excellence is built on disciplined execution, rigorous measurement, and continuous improvement. As we scale across the Southeast, Mark’s experience building Aspire into an industry-defining platform will help us use data and technology to drive field activity, operational efficiency, and stronger customer service.”

Agellus Co-Founder and Managing Partner Jeff Aiello remarked, “Mark is a rare combination of industry insider and proven builder. As HighGrove scales through repeatable processes, operating discipline, and smart technology investment, his perspective will help accelerate strategic initiatives, strengthen our operating toolkit, and support continued expansion.”

Mark added, “HighGrove is building the kind of platform that wins—customer-first, performance-driven, and grounded in operational rigor. I’m excited to join the Board and support HighGrove as it invests in the processes, data and systems that elevate service quality and deepen customer partnerships.”

About Agellus Capital

Founded in 2024 and based in Clayton, Missouri, Agellus partners with founders, families, and management teams to drive transformational growth in non-discretionary, essential services businesses in the United States and Canada. Agellus targets platforms of $2 million to $20 million of EBITDA in large, fragmented markets and aims to be the partner of choice in the middle market for its portfolio companies, investors, and people. For more information, visit agellus.com.

About HighGrove Partners

For more than 35 years, HighGrove Partners has been committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive landscape maintenance and enhancement services that meet the full spectrum of its customers’ outdoor needs. HighGrove Partners’ goal is to be the trusted, all-in-one landscape partner for clients across the Southeastern United States. For more information, visit highgrove.net.