President of Riverview Tree & Landscaping and Riverview Gardens & Gifts, Diane Salks, 71, still works full-time at her family-owned and operated business with her kids, grandkids and dozens of loyal employees. She left her teaching job to pursue helping families beautify their homes with Riverview and with Restoring Hope of Berks County.
Q: What made you want to make the transition from teaching to working for your dad at Riverview?
I had my son, took a year of maternity leave, and I didn’t like the idea of paying someone to watch my son for me to go teach other people’s children. When I had my daughter, we decided that I would stay with kids. My sister had been in college and working for my dad part-time, so I asked him if I could work part-time, and I’ll never forget the moment I asked him. We were sitting on the back steps of the house, and he said, “Well I guess I’m letting my heart rule my head, so we’ll try it.”
Q: When did you step into a leadership role with the company?
It was around 1986 or 1987 when we built the first garden center, which was the first retail site. I went full-time once my daughter went to school. Then, in 1995 or 1996, my dad transitioned the business to my sister and me, and I became the president. I ran the business with my dad’s help through 2006, and we built an additional 4,000 square feet into the garden center, and 19 days later, he died and I became the sole owner. I’m 71 and still work full-time and have no intention of ever completely going away. I even helped unload a truck a couple of weeks ago…but I am working on starting to disperse responsibilities and to transition the business to my children, Alaina and Aleks.”
Q: What’s the secret to operating a family-owned business for 50 years?
Loyal people. There are two brothers who worked for us: Ronnie Gattone was one of the first employees. He retired and still works two days a week part-time at 73. His brother, Frank Gattone, worked until he was 71 as well and had been here for 46 years. We have our senior landscape designer who has been here 47 years. We’re working on the succession plan so that my children have that ability to choose loyal people, too.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Riverview?
My favorite part is getting to see and work with my kids and grandkids who all grew up here. Alaina and Aleks grew up coming along with me in the summer to help and roam the woods. I have a grandson that is 9 years old who can probably tell you just as much about the business as my employees. My twin grandchildren spend a lot of time here, and so does Alaina’s son. My son and his wife also met at Riverview. Aleah is now our Gardens & Gifts manager.
Q: What do you do when you are not working?
Riverview has been the lead landscaper for Restoring Hope of Berks County since 2011, and I became the chair from 2014-2020. My son Aleks is still on the board as the vice chair, and I’ve moved to fundraising. Every year we choose a working middle class family with a special need, and in nine days’ time we restore their home with volunteers who donate their time, skills and materials.
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Join in the fun.
Celebrate Riverview’s 50th Anniversary on July 29 at the Garden and Gift Shop. The all-day event will feature local vendors like Sweet Ride Ice Cream, a dunk tank for charity, special sales and other activities.
Restore hope.
Donate your time and your home renovation skills to assist Restoring Hope for Berks County’s twelfth family’s home makeover alongside Riverview. Visit restoringhopeberks.org.
