Jay Pompano, owner and operator of Key2Green, LLC, isn’t sure how his obsession with green grass took root.

Perhaps it was as a 12-year-old, driving his family’s riding lawn mower around his East Haven neighborhood, cutting lawns for customers. Or maybe it stemmed from his youth, playing Little League, American Legion, and high school baseball.

Whatever its origin, it followed Jay into adulthood. It was in full force when he and wife Tracy bought their first home in Guilford, into which they welcomed their two boys, Nathan and Colin. It continued as they raised their family and he coached his sons’ youth baseball games.

When the Pompanos purchased a larger home in Guilford, Jay continued to spend hours grooming his yard, learning by trial and error the applications, products, and strategies that soon made his lawn the most luxuriant on their cul-de-sac. Heat, drought, weeds, pests: No matter what Mother Nature threw at it, Jay’s lawn always looked its best … So much so that fellow homeowners started asking, “Who maintains your lawn?” And when they realized it was him, they said “you’re so good at this, you should start a business!” And then it hit him…

That’s why, in early 2024, Jay decided to turn his passion into a business by becoming a fully licensed pesticide supervisor by the State of Connecticut, and establishing Key2Green. He is taking a measured strategy to growing his brand; emphasizing his deep-rooted work ethic, longstanding connection to the local community, personalized customer service, and pride in his work.

That strategy, and the seasonal aspect of lawn care, enables Jay to continue excelling in his full-time career as a Product Executive at a company that provides its members care coordination and benefit management between hospital and home.

Jay and Tracy enjoy working outdoors on their lawn and garden, as well as undertaking home improving and decorating projects. Jay also enjoys a round or two of golf with Nathan and Colin … Guess all the Pompano boys’ blood runs green, not red!