Pine Environmental Taps M&A Veteran Jason Davis as New CEO to Fuel Growth

WINDSOR, N.J. – April 20, 2026 – Pine Environmental Services, a premier provider of environmental and non-destructive testing equipment, today announced a significant leadership transition designed to accelerate its growth trajectory. The company has named Jason Davis, its Chief Operating Officer since September 2024, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 24, 2026.

Davis succeeds John Roush, who has led the company since May 2024. In a move signaling strategic continuity, Roush will transition from the CEO role back to his position on Pine Environmental’s Board of Directors, where he has served since late 2019. The succession is presented as a seamless and planned evolution, positioning an internal leader with deep operational expertise at the helm.

A Strategic Focus on Growth and M&A

The appointment of Jason Davis is a clear signal of Pine Environmental’s intensified focus on expansion, particularly through mergers and acquisitions. Before joining the company, Davis spent over two decades in executive leadership roles within the highly competitive equipment rental industry at Sunbelt Rentals. His extensive background spans the full spectrum of operations, from Field Sales Representative to Vice President, providing him with a granular understanding of the market dynamics.

Crucially, Davis brings significant experience in executing M&A transactions, a skill set that aligns directly with the strategic objectives set by Pine Environmental and its financial sponsor, ACON Investments. This expertise is expected to be a primary driver as the company seeks to consolidate its market position and expand its service offerings.

"I am honored to step into the CEO role," remarked Jason Davis. "I am eager to continue to build on John's organic growth and acquisition strategy and appreciate the trust that he and ACON have placed in me. As the leader in our space, we have the scale, footprint and expertise to further differentiate ourselves. Our focus is on leveraging those advantages to drive growth, improve performance, and build a more valuable, more resilient business."

His promotion from COO ensures an intimate knowledge of the company’s current operations and commercial organization, which he has been leading. This internal promotion is intended to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting the operational momentum established over the past several years.

Building on a Foundation of Momentum

Davis takes leadership of a company that has demonstrated tangible growth under the tenure of John Roush. Anjali Jolly, a member of Pine Environmental's Board of Directors and Managing Partner at ACON Investments, acknowledged Roush's contributions in "building a strong team across Pine, accelerating the company's growth and completing the first acquisition during our ownership."

That key acquisition occurred in February 2026, when Pine Environmental acquired Terratech Environmental Equipment & Supplies. The move expanded Pine's footprint in the Arizona market and broadened its portfolio of air, water, and soil sampling equipment. This was the first major acquisition since ACON Investments took ownership in 2020 and represents a core component of the growth strategy Davis is now tasked with advancing.

Beyond acquisitions, the company has also pursued organic growth. In November 2024, Pine expanded its network to 38 locations across the U.S. and Canada with the opening of a new branch in the Detroit metro area. This expansion, coupled with strategic partnerships to distribute products like Aeroqual air quality monitors and the Guardian S inspection robot, highlights a multi-faceted approach to market development that has been building for some time.

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

Pine Environmental operates within the robust and growing environmental equipment rental market, an industry valued at approximately $10.5 billion in 2024 and projected to expand significantly. This growth is fueled by increasingly stringent environmental regulations, a greater focus on public health and safety, and the economic advantages of renting highly specialized and expensive testing equipment.

While Pine is considered the largest independent provider in its niche, the broader equipment rental landscape is highly competitive. The company competes not only with specialized firms like Eco-Rental Solutions and Equipco Rentals but also with industry giants such as United Rentals and Sunbelt Rentals, which have the scale and resources to expand into specialized markets. The industry is characterized by a trend towards consolidation, where strategic acquisitions are a key tool for gaining market share and enhancing service capabilities.

Davis’s deep experience at Sunbelt Rentals, a major force in the industry, provides him with a unique perspective on how to compete and thrive in such an environment. His challenge will be to leverage Pine's specialized expertise and customer focus to defend and grow its leadership position against larger, more diversified competitors.

The Role of ACON Investments

Underpinning this strategic leadership change is the influence of ACON Investments, the Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm that acquired Pine Environmental in January 2020. From the outset, ACON stated its intention to accelerate Pine's growth both organically and through accretive acquisitions. The appointment of an M&A-savvy CEO is a direct reflection of that long-term strategy entering a new phase.

Private equity ownership often involves active participation in the strategic direction and leadership of portfolio companies. Anjali Jolly's comments underscore this partnership approach. "We are pleased to partner with Jason as CEO as he builds on the strong momentum we have established in the business over the last several years," she stated. "Jason has been driving a larger part of our commercial organization, positioning him to step into the CEO role seamlessly."

The transition appears to be a calculated move to install a leader whose skills are precisely matched to the company’s next chapter of value creation, focusing on aggressive expansion and operational excellence in a dynamic market. With Roush remaining on the board to provide guidance and Davis at the helm to execute the growth plan, Pine Environmental is positioning itself for a period of accelerated strategic activity.