our Team
alex shuda
Owner, president
When starting out at age 12 as a young entrepreneur, I pushed wheelbarrows and drove tractors down the street to my neighbor's home to provide landscape services. I soon realized I loved creating beautiful landscapes, and seeing the joy this created in my clients' eyes.
At age 14, I completed my Eagle Scout. For my final project, I naturally choose to install major landscape improvements into the trail system in Roseville. After hiring a few employees, at age 15,
I soon developed the motto: "When Perfect Isn't Good Enough"
and the mission of "Creating the Twin Cities' most beautiful landscapes".
This motto and mission still stand true today. They have inspired us to build a business around the highest quality standards while creating truly breath taking landscapes, and forming long lasting relationships.
Through the years of growth, we have assembled a team of amazingly talented individuals with the highest level of integrity. It has been very rewarding to be part of this remarkable organization.
Pat Hamer
Vice President
As an avid outdoorsman, boater, and biker, Pat loves the outdoors and has spent the last 40 years in the landscape industry. From managing fortune 500 properties to working with homeowners to solve their landscape problems, he takes pride in bringing the potential and beauty out of each property. Pat has a diverse horticulture and hardscape background which allows him to solve complex landscape problems with beautiful & sustainable solutions that add lasting value. Pat looks forward to meeting with you and bringing out the beauty in your property!
CLARISSA K. COOPER
Senior Landscape Designer
Clarissa passionately embraces every opportunity to present clients with creative & functional design solutions that will bring beauty and enjoyment into their lives for years to come. She graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1998 with a B.S. in Horticulture & Landscape Design. Since 2002, she has been living and designing in Minnesota. Clarissa has created a portfolio of beautiful award-winning work based on the belief that every design should be as unique as the homeowner. Clarissa is always ready for her next camping adventure in the great outdoors, or just relaxing in her backyard hammock.
Jim Kalkes, RLA
Commercial Landscape Architect & Estimator
Jim takes a big picture approach on his projects by focusing on how all the pieces of a design work together, making him a master at orchestrating and managing projects, and lots of them. He has seen quite a few design trends over the last 25 years of his design career. All while finding what works best for your project’s wants and needs. Let’s follow the trends, or make your project unique. Jim graduated from NDSU and became a licensed Landscape Architect soon after. When Jim isn’t working you can find him working on his ’41 Ford, taking a pontoon ride, or coaching his daughter's Hockey/Softball team.
SARAH pHyle
Office Manager
JIM SHUDA
Chief Financial Officer
Jim is Alex's father, and has been with the company since its inception. After a successful career at 3M, he joined the company as CFO. Numbers are Jim's friends, as he is a true "Pencil Pusher". He also wears the cap of Human Resources, and his motivational pep talks elevate the crews daily.
John Berken
General Manager
John loves managing technically complex projects that involve lots of moving parts. John’s range of expertise in landscape construction allows him to evaluate what your project needs and when to get the material on site and on time. John understands what both the client and his crew needs to be successful. His team trusts him to lead with authenticity, creativity, and respect for the work. When not working, which is rare! John enjoys spending time outdoors golfing, various water sports, traveling and spending time with family!