Meet John Hartin and his family!

John is the owner of The Vine Landscaping. He served globally in the US Air Force and now a local Hampton Roads resident with his wife, Rachel, and three children.

John Hartin
CEO & Owner

John Hartin is the driving force behind The Vine Landscaping, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to his role as CEO and owner. A proud veteran of the US Air Force, John's journey into entrepreneurship began with a divine calling in 2020, when he felt led by God to start mowing lawns. Little did he know that this humble beginning would blossom into the thriving business that The Vine Landscaping is today.

A graduate of Ferrum College with a BA in Business, John combines his military discipline with a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. He has a passion for teaching and empowering his team of employees, instilling in them the values of excellence, integrity, and service. As a family man himself, with a loving wife of 7 years and three children, John understands the importance of building strong relationships and creating a supportive work environment that feels like family.

Beyond his business acumen, John is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys spending time hunting, reading, and soaking in the beauty of nature. He believes in the power of continuous learning and personal development, investing in extensive training in leadership and management to grow himself and his business every day.

Driven by his faith in God and his love for people and family, John is committed to building a healthy and sustainable business that not only delivers exceptional service but also fosters meaningful relationships within the community. His vision for The Vine Landscaping is to be a beacon of professionalism, integrity, and excellence, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in the world.

Rich Thornton
Branch Manager

Rich Thornton serves as Branch Manager at The Vine Landscaping, where he leads the day-to-day operations across production, sales, and administration. Known for his steady leadership and sharp organizational skills, Rich is a key driver behind the team's performance—ensuring alignment, accountability, and goal-setting through clear KPIs, strong systems, and ongoing training.

Originally coming from a background in retail sales and telecommunications leadership, Rich joined The Vine to blend his professional strengths with his personal passion for nature and outdoor spaces. His ability to connect with clients and motivate teams quickly became clear, and his promotion into management was a natural next step.

As Branch Manager, Rich leads with structure and vision—working across departments to unify team efforts, streamline workflows, and consistently deliver high-quality service. He also continues to meet clients in the field, conducting in-person estimates because he thrives on creating solutions and helping homeowners reimagine their properties.

Outside of work, Rich centers his life around his wife and daughter, enjoys staying active through workouts, and finds calm through reading. You can often catch him recharging at the Virginia Beach oceanfront—his favorite local getaway.

Rich’s blend of sales expertise, operational leadership, and people-first approach makes him a cornerstone of growth and excellence at The Vine Landscaping.

Sara Arms
Office Administrator

Sara Arms brings a uniquely diverse background to her role at The Vine Landscaping, blending deep experience in human services, law enforcement, and customer service. From her early years working with children in preschools to becoming a sheriff’s deputy and forensic evidence technician, Sara has always been committed to serving others with integrity, discipline, and compassion. Her journey led her to The Vine, drawn by its veteran-owned roots and strong values—something that resonates deeply with her as a proud Air Force brat and member of a family filled with military and law enforcement service.

As Office Administrator, Sara keeps the operations at The Vine running smoothly. With a keen eye for detail, strong organizational skills, and years of administrative experience, she supports the team with excellence and grace. Her goal is not only to streamline internal processes, but also to help lead and train future administrative staff as the company continues to grow across Hampton Roads and beyond.

Outside of work, Sara finds joy in hiking, fishing, exploring small rural towns, and antiquing around places like Gloucester, Mathews, and Smithfield. She’s also a lover of music, reading, and long walks through Colonial Williamsburg. Her grown son and new puppy keep her busy and smiling, and she’s surrounded by close-knit family right here in the area.

A little-known fact? Her middle name may look common—but it’s not pronounced that way! And if she could share one dinner in this life, it would be with Jesus himself—whose presence has transformed her life in the most meaningful ways.

Sara’s resilience, faith, and servant-hearted approach make her a cornerstone of the team at The Vine Landscaping.

Andrew Uhrmacher
Production Manager

Andrew Uhrmacher brings a mission-focused mindset and deep leadership experience to his role as Production Manager at The Vine Landscaping. Starting his career as a warehouse manager for Sam’s Club, Andrew went on to serve as a Mortarman in the U.S. Army—an experience that shaped his core values of discipline, accountability, and team leadership. After transitioning to civilian life, he continued in logistics management at Extreme Heating and Air in Alaska before relocating to Virginia. He joined The Vine as a warehouse manager and was quickly promoted to Production Manager due to his strong leadership and operational skills.

Andrew excels in coordinating crews, logistics, and resources to ensure every project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the high standards clients expect. His military background equips him with a unique ability to adapt under pressure, maintain structure in fast-paced environments, and build strong teams with clear expectations and high morale.

He is passionate about developing future leaders within the company, solving problems in real-time, and supporting The Vine’s growth in a sustainable, values-driven way.

Andrew’s greatest pride is his family. He and his wife—his rock and biggest supporter—are raising five children between the ages of 13 and 20. Whether it’s heading to Virginia Beach, fishing, or just relaxing with the family or on Xbox, Andrew makes the most of his time outside work.

A little-known fact? While he may come off quiet at first, Andrew is highly approachable and has a heart for mentoring those who are truly eager to grow. And if he could have dinner with anyone, it would be his grandfather Richard—whose early passing left a lasting impression and a desire to share his life and legacy with him.

Andrew’s leadership style is grounded in trust, preparation, and lifting others up—making him not just a manager, but a true team builder.

Rachel Hartin
Chief Marketing Officer

Rachel Hartin, wife to owner John Hartin, brings her creative vision and expertise to The Vine Landscaping as our Chief Marketing Officer. A self-taught designer, Rachel is the force behind our logo, website, mascot, and all marketing materials, crafting a brand that embodies our commitment to quality and community.

With over a decade of experience in administration and sales, Rachel is passionate about people and dedicated to creating an exceptional client experience. She believes that every client should feel valued and well cared for, making personal connection a core focus of her work. A Yorktown resident since childhood, Rachel grew up in a military family and now enjoys raising her own three children in the place she calls home.