I have been involved in the green industry since I was a 10-year-old boy. My passion started within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. I would sit in the left-field bleachers looking at the beautiful green striped turf and the vines climbing the walls and say to myself “this is what I want to do when I grow up!”( No, it wasn’t to play for the hapless Cubbies, it was to make pristine, beloved landscapes and keep them that way). In the 30 plus years since my love affair started, I love the Cubs less, but the burning desire for the perfect landscape is still pushing me on, and the love has grown. I have done just about everything in the green industry.
A brief summary of my accomplishments:
Pushing a mower as a preteen boy in the suburbs of Chicago
Working up through the ranks to become a retail manager for Franks Nursery and Crafts
While in college working the greenhouses on campus at WMU
Starting a design/ build/ maintenance landscape business from$0 to $200,000 in 1 year
Managing and operating a wholesale landscape nursery in Arizona
Directing an urban design/ install/ build -landscape division of a multi-million dollar garden center in downtown Chicago
Starting up a landscape supply/broker in downtown Chicago
Implementing a unique transitional retail/wholesale management mentality at a suburban landscape supply and garden center
Managing commercial, governmental, and residential landscape accounts and clients
Project managing wetland restoration/exotic removal/habit resurrections
Opening a satellite commercial landscape branch of a thriving business
I like showing off what I know. I will solve your landscape problems. HELP is my name and my business.
