People
Over the years, we have grown our company to a team of more than thirty dedicated people. They are landscape architects, designers, office staff, construction personnel, horticulturalists and maintenance technicians. They are also leaders, teachers, students, helpers, friends, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Here are a few of the faces you may see in your landscape.
Michael A. Gilkey, Jr.
Landscape Architect, Owner, Company PresidentMichael is a second-generation landscape architect and president and owner of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. He oversees all operations of the design, construction, and maintenance divisions. Michael received a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture with high honors from the University of Florida, and has been licensed and registered as a landscape architect in Florida for 20 years. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He has served on the University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture’s Advisory Board, the Board of Directors for the Florida Wildflower Foundation, and as the landscape architect on the Tree Advisory Committee for the City of Sarasota. The University of Florida has honored Michael with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Landscape Architecture. His projects have won the highest awards available from the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association and the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Michael draws inspiration from the work of his father, as well as other landscape architects such as Roberto Burle Marx, architects like Carlo Scarpa, and artists like Andy Goldsworthy. His designs are also informed by music, history, culture, and most importantly, his clients themselves.
Terry McMahon
Landscape Designer
Landscape Designer
Terry McMahon is a landscape designer with over 20 years of experience in the design-build industry. She brings to our firm an expertise in all phases of design and installation in the residential sector, and assists Michael in design development for our clientele. Terry has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Rutgers University.
Sarah Brittain
Exterior Designer
Exterior Designer
Sarah Brittain is a licensed Interior Designer who brings a keen eye for detail, color, and texture into the landscape. She has helped us launch a new Exterior Design service for our clientele, extending our material selections into the outdoor furnishings and accessories realm, creating a more cohesive and complete indoor-outdoor living package.
Andrew Huie
Landscape Architect
Landscape Architect
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia, Andrew co-owned and operated a landscape design-build studio in Portland, Oregon, for ten years. Andrew’s respectful design principles emphasize climate-appropriate plants, regional hardscape materials, stormwater mitigation, and wildlife habitats. He focuses on creating dynamic garden spaces that connect our built environment to the living nature surrounding us.
Ed Darby
Landscape Contracting Manager
Landscape Contracting Manager
Ed Darby is the Manager of our Landscape Contracting Division, overseeing all landscape installation operations for Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. He is charged with finding new and creative ways to install Michael’s envelope-pushing designs, and he steps up to the challenge, every time. He has been with our company for over twenty-five years.
Ryan Hynko
Landscape Operations Manager
Landscape Operations Manager
Ryan Hynko received a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia, and he is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. As Landscape Operations Manager, he is the liaison between our Design and Construction Divisions, overseeing all scheduling and project coordination for our landscape installations.
Lloyd Morgan
Maintenance Manager
Maintenance Manager
Lloyd Morgan is a Horticulturalist and Licensed Arborist with over thirty years of experience in the nursery and landscape industries. He is now bringing this knowledge and leadership to our maintenance team as our Maintenance Manager, and looks forward to providing impeccable quality control and guidance to our maintenance team.
Ken Kiger
Licensed Horticulturalist
Licensed Horticulturalist
Ken Kiger is a Licensed Horticulturalist who has been with our company for more than thirty years. Ken oversees all pesticide and fertilizer applications for the Maintenance Division of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. and provides quality control and customer service for our clientele.
Hansel Plaza
Accounts Manager
Accounts Manager
Hansel Plaza is an Accounts Manager supervising our excellent maintenance teams. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he leads our crews and works with our clients and our installation team to ensure a seamless experience throughout the evolution of the garden.
Tommy Rodriguez
Accounts Manager
Accounts Manager
Tommy Rodriguez is an Accounts Manager supervising our excellent maintenance teams. With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, he leads our crews and works with our clients and our installation team to ensure a seamless experience throughout the evolution of the garden.
Gana Gilkey
Financial Manager
Financial Manager
Gana Gilkey received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida. She is the financial manager and small business controller for Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.
Lili Ruiz
Office Administrator
Office Administrator
Lili Ruiz is an experienced business administrator with a strong background in client communication, contract administration, and process improvement. She combines her practice in the non-profit, legal, health care and landscape service industries to bring a unique and efficient approach to our maintenance team. Lili has a degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida.
Cheyenne Cortez
Construction Administrator
Construction Administrator
Cheyenne Cortez is our Construction Administrator, assisting our installation team in working with vendors and subcontractors, ordering materials, scheduling installations, invoicing, coordination and more.
Laura Gilkey
Marketing Manager + Design Coordinator
Marketing Manager + Design Coordinator
Laura Gilkey received a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida. She is the Design Coordinator and Marketing Manager for the team, overseeing all client and community outreach, award application, website content, and social media. She assists Michael and his team with scheduling, communication and project coordination within the Design Division.