From its start in 1986 in Columbia, SC, Heritage has always been a family-owned and operated business. It began with founders Robert and Debbie McLeod and eventually their son, Ashley McLeod, who joined the company full-time in 2002. When Lexington, SC native Kleck Harman married Ashley’s sister in 1998, it was only a matter of time before he joined the family business.
Kleck and Ashley officially became co-owners of Heritage in 2023 after more than 20 years of working together. As brothers-in-law first and business partners second, Kleck and Ashley are committed to faith-driven leadership and putting family first – no matter what happens at work.
Leading with High-Standards
Kleck is known for his integrity and unwavering commitment to service, making him the kind of person you want leading your team. He has made significant contributions to the team since joining Heritage in 1996 leading by example and setting a standard of excellence.
“His versatility and expertise shine through with his approach to projects and his willingness to take on any task,” said Cindy McMahan, Director of Culture and Engagement at Heritage. “Kleck’s leadership brings a sense of integrity and inspiration to those around him, making him an invaluable member of our leadership team.”
Heritage prioritizes building robust client relationships that go beyond transactional work, and Kleck’s work ethic has demonstrated what that looks like to the Heritage team.
“Whether it is the work being done or the communication with the client, GM or property manager, Kleck expects every aspect to be a top notch experience for our clients,” says Shandra Brannon, Chief Operating Officer at Heritage. “He cares about our clients and their satisfaction with our work in such a way that pushes us constantly towards greatness.”
Tackling Challenges
Complex projects with tight deadlines are Kleck’s forte, and he tackles them with confidence every step of the way. His experience has allowed him to become an expert on how to efficiently lead people and manage resources and has been instrumental in several of Heritage’s more advanced projects over the past couple of years including Mark Anthony Brewing, which is Heritage’s largest project to date.
“When we started the landscape installation at Mark Anthony Brewing, we were given a deadline of 12 months,” says Heritage President Ashley McLeod. “I didn’t think it was possible but Kleck was confident that it could be done quicker and his leadership made it happen.”
“If we ever make a mistake on a job, Kleck is consistently honest and always makes things right instead of blaming someone else,” Ashley continues. “There may be short-term pain when this happens but we know doing the right thing is how we build long-term relationships.”
The Power of Partnership
Ashley and Kleck’s partnership has led to remarkable advancements in Heritage’s business as it continues to expand in the Lowcountry and Upstate area. Finding balance in each other’s strengths and weaknesses, the duo has propelled Heritage into places they never expected, including leading the industry in sustainable landscaping solutions in South Carolina.
Learn more about the family-owned business and what sets Heritage apart from other commercial landscaping companies here.
About Heritage
Heritage offers a variety of services to help companies achieve net-zero, water-positive, and zero-waste goals, starting with the right plants in the right places. We also know it is key to find a balance between sustainability and function, so we have solutions for all projects ensuring safety, visibility and public access to the site.
Our professionals can optimize your landscape to make it more sustainable and low-maintenance, handling everything from planning to planting. Click here to get a quote today.
