September 24, 2026
Paul Jean-Marie Kassab has been instrumental in building Sun State Nursery & Landscaping into one of northeast Florida’s most established commercial landscaping companies.
His journey began in 1976 with the company’s roots as a family-owned retail and wholesale nursery in Jacksonville. Under his leadership, Sun State expanded into commercial landscape construction, irrigation, hardscape, and landscape maintenance services.
Throughout nearly five decades, Paul’s passion for horticulture, commitment to quality, and dedication to customer relationships have shaped the company’s success. His philosophy of “Good Measure,” consistently exceeding customer expectations, remains a cornerstone of Sun State’s culture.
As Founder and Chairman, Paul continues to provide guidance as Sun State builds upon his legacy and enters its next chapter of growth.
September 24, 2026
Hugh Cooper brings more than 35 years of experience in the landscape industry, beginning his career as a crew member in the field. His career has included roles in field operations, branch management, and executive leadership, giving him a firsthand understanding of the business from the field to the executive level.
Throughout his career, Hugh has remained passionate about developing people, building strong teams, and creating opportunities for others to grow. That commitment reflects a personal philosophy of constantly striving to improve the lives of those around him, whether employees, customers, or the communities Sun State serves.
As CEO of Sun State, Hugh brings that perspective to leading the Company and building on its nearly 50-year legacy.
September 24, 2026
David Sisson brings over 10 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, accounting, and operational finance. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving financial performance, strengthening reporting, and developing processes that support business growth.
As Vice President of Finance at Sun State, David oversees financial operations and strategic planning, working closely with the leadership team to drive operational performance and support the company’s continued growth.
September 24, 2026
Andreia “AJ” Figueroa is an organizational development strategist specializing in scaling businesses through rapid transformation, with more than 10 years of HR experience across hospitality and business consulting. As the first HR hire at a well-known regional barbecue restaurant group, AJ built the HR infrastructure and talent blueprints that helped grow the brand into a broader hospitality company, expanding its footprint into multi-million-dollar real estate developments, hotels, and lifestyle concepts. Today, AJ serves as Human Resources Manager at Sun State, driving strategic growth and workforce architecture. She is passionate about developing strong teams and believes the surest path to business growth is investing in people.
©2026 Sun State Nursery & Landscaping, LLC
