Family-Owned, Community-Driven: The RCI Story

For over four decades, Rotolo Consultants Inc. (RCI) has been a trusted name in commercial landscaping across Louisiana and the Gulf South. What began as a small family nursery in Slidell has grown into one of the region’s leading firms in landscape construction, hardscape installation, and full-service landscape maintenance.

Humble Beginnings

The story started in 1978, when Joe Rotolo Sr. purchased a small nursery for his sons. With determination, grit, and a love for horticulture, the Rotolo family turned that nursery into a growing business. By the early 1980s, the company—then Jack’s Nursery—was managing apartment complexes, country clubs, and large-scale developments.

Despite early struggles, the Rotolos pushed forward, earning high-profile projects like the 1988 Republican National Convention and later securing multi-million-dollar landscape construction contracts with Disney. These opportunities transformed the business and proved that disciplined execution and strong leadership could weather even the toughest economic storms.

Resilience Through Challenges

The company faced defining moments—surviving the oil bust of the 1980s, rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and expanding through new industries like disaster recovery and casino development. Through each challenge, RCI’s family leadership stayed focused on its people, never missing payroll and supporting employees like family.

The passing of Rod Rotolo in 2018 marked another difficult chapter, but his legacy lives on through the culture of excellence he helped build. Today, his drive and passion for landscape management and operations continue to influence how RCI serves its clients and employees.

Growing the Future

Now in its second generation of leadership, with nearly 700 employees and operations in five states, RCI continues to set the standard for commercial landscaping services. From large-scale installation projects to long-term landscape maintenance contracts, the company ensures that every property meets the highest standards of safety, durability, and curb appeal.

As President & CEO Keith Rotolo explains, “RCI will be fine so long as we continue to put the business first and make the decisions that are best for the company.” That philosophy, rooted in family values and community commitment, is what has made RCI a regional leader in landscape construction and management.

A Legacy of Excellence

Today, RCI is more than a company—it’s a family-driven legacy built on integrity, resilience, and innovation. With a foundation in tradition and a vision for the future, RCI continues to protect property value, enhance community spaces, and deliver landscaping solutions that stand the test of time.

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