Jon likes to say his career in the Landscape Industry started circa 1976, when he told his parents he wasn’t thrilled with the new house because he missed his sandbox.  His father, never one to shrink from a challenge, set about building and filling a giant sandbox, 10’x10’x3’ deep.  Jon filled it with toys, specifically dump trucks, excavators, loaders, Tonka trucks, Hot Wheels, shovels, wheel barrows, buckets, and any tool available to move the material about and create miniature cities, complete with roads and parks, buildings and homes.  Jon created spaces and play areas both on his own as well as with friends and neighborhood kids, all of whom flocked to this magnificent place of imagination.  One of Jon’s first jobs in the industry was at a municipal cemetery in his hometown.  It was a great summer job, and helped Jon to understand a career could be made of his passion.  For the past three decades plus, he has focused on gaining experience, engaging in educational opportunities both within and outside academia, seeking and obtaining licensure and certifications, and expanding his understanding, skills, and talents in all facets of the industry.  Jon has owned two boutique landscape firms and has worked for companies including positions from seasonal laborer through general manager of operations and sales with P&L responsibility for branches, divisions of 60+ people, and entire companies.  Jon finds inspiration in the natural world, blending the context of the region, the city, and the neighborhood to create designs that reflect the owner’s wants and needs, their existing and desired design style found both inside and out, respecting historical context, and engaging relevant updates.  Jon is most comfortable while spending time with his clients and sharing thoughts and visions both verbally and visually through two-dimensional plans and three-dimensional hand drawn sketches, computer generated representations, and photo rendering.  Landscape Architecture has shown Jon how to blend the science of structure, soil , and water with the artistry of color, texture, and form.  Always working to inspire clients to consider possibilities beyond their initial ideas, Jon shows his clients’ what is possible and what can be created to enhance their experience in the outdoor environment.  Jon finds true joy in cultivating relationships with his clients and his staff to inspire and create beautiful places with amazing people.