Our Team

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Quinn Piala

Landscape Architect, President

Quinn attended the Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture.

 

Quinn thrives when given the opportunity to create a healthier environment through the planned use of outdoor space. He strives to introduce a new lifestyle for families, the community and local businesses through his thoughtful designs. The down and dirty is that Quinn loves working with Piala’s team – making a big mess, and then putting it all back together in a strategic, quality-minded way that leaves clients thrilled and excited to enjoy their new yards.

 

Quinn and Amanda’s dogs play a huge factor in their lives. When Quinn’s not planning your next landscape design, you can find them traveling & spending time outdoors with their German Shepherd Dogs. He is also passionate about saltwater fishing and enjoys a long, warm day on the water!

Amanda Piala

Landscape Architect, Vice President

Amanda attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. Amanda joined the Piala’s team in 2005 and is a licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Wisconsin.

 

Amanda works with clients to design high-quality, unique landscapes and is there to guide the project to completion. Amanda initiated the expansion of Piala’s homegrown vegetable stock and enjoys growing unusual vegetables, specifically tomatoes. Amanda enjoys working with her clients, especially those who genuinely love the outdoors.

 

When Amanda is not working on your next landscape design, you can find her backpacking, winter camping, growing her own unusual vegetables or training and competing with her German Shepherd Dogs. 

Paul

Landscape Designer & Construction Manager

Paul attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. Paul joined Piala’s design-build team in 2012.

 

Paul works with clients to develop landscape designs of all sizes, he establishes construction budgets, and oversees the installation to ensure the design intent is met. Paul loves working with clients to help them create outdoor spaces that they can enjoy with their family and friends.

 

When he’s not incorporating his favorite plant, Zagreb Coreopsis, into your next landscape design, you can find Paul fishing, downhill skiing, traveling, or cooking. 

Julie

Nursery Manager 

Julie earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside and has over 15 years of experience in the landscape/horticulture industry.

 

She joined the Piala’s team as Nursery Manager in 2024.

 

Julie oversees the nursery’s production and acquisition of diverse plant material. She works closely with the nursery team to achieve smooth and efficient operations. Julie especially enjoys helping customers select plants that promote biodiversity and attract beneficial pollinators.

 

When she’s not curating our nursery inventory, you can find Julie enjoying outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, fishing, or swimming. Julie enjoys both traveling and spending time at home – gardening and birdwatching with her adventurous cat, Oliver.

Mark

Assistant Nursery Manager

Mark attended the Milwaukee Area Technical College – Mequon, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Landscape Horticulture and Arboriculture. He joined the Piala’s team in 2023 as Assistant Nursery Manager.

 

Mark is an expert on trees, shrubs, and other woody plants, and applies his arboriculture knowledge to ensure our nursery stock is of the highest quality. He helps coordinate our nursery and horticultural operations and staff.

 

When Mark is not sharing his expertise with you, he can be found restoring classic cars or gardening at home. Mark enjoys the stature and elegance of Ginkgo biloba trees.

 

Bryan

Landscape Designer

Bryan attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he earned a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture. Bryan joined Piala’s design-build team in 2017 as a Landscape Designer.

 

Bryan is responsible for measuring a client’s property and then working alongside Piala’s Landscape Architects to design a landscape that fits the client’s needs and desired aesthetics. Bryan loves creating and enjoys the unique challenges that each property can bring to a project.

 

When he’s not designing your next landscape, you can find Bryan renovating his fixer-upper house.

Katie

Landscape Designer 

Katie attended the Milwaukee Area Technical College – Mequon, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design. Katie joined the Piala’s design-build team in 2019 as a Landscape Designer.

 

Katie works alongside Piala’s Landscape Architects to measure a client’s property and then design the landscape to meet the client’s needs. Katie helps clients select the appropriate plants, and color selections for their hardscape projects.

 

When she is not helping a client find a new love for their outdoor space, you can find Katie spending time with her family outdoors, exploring wildlife with her kids and travelling up north. Katie also enjoys doing crafts with her kids and the beauty of the late white blooms of White Fringe trees.

Craig

Construction Manager

Craig attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry and Philosophy. Craig joined the Piala’s team in 2018 as a Construction Manager and is responsible for jobsite planning.

 

Craig coordinates the deliveries of materials and equipment, and where to store them at the jobsite. Craig works closely with Piala’s designers, construction crews and subcontractors to ensure that all work is being completed to specifications. He takes pride in seeing the entire process of a job – from start to the finished product.

 

When he’s not coordinating your next project, Craig is with his wife, two kids, and their two dogs either camping, fishing or riding bikes. 

John

Nursery Associate

John joined Piala’s garden center team in 2013 and he can be found in our garden center helping customers and tending to the plants, which happen to be his favorite aspects of the job.

 

When he’s not creating displays in our garden center, John enjoys learning about Waukesha history, collecting antiques, tending to his own garden, exploring nature, photography and researching genealogy. The Seven-Son Flower is his favorite plant and he appreciates its year-round beauty.

Nancy

Accounting / Bookkeeping 

Nancy attended the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with an emphasis in Management Information Systems.

 

Nancy joined Piala’s administrative support team in 2010 and oversees the business operations of the company. No two days are the same for Nancy and she enjoys being part of a cohesive client-focused team.

 

Nancy loves baobab and acacia trees, and when she’s not at Piala’s, you can find her outdoors either hiking, road biking or training her German Shepherd Dog. 

Michelle

Design – Build Clerical 

Michelle attended Southern New Hampshire University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

 

Michelle joined Piala’s design-build team in 2013 and works diligently behind the scenes where she answers phone calls, creates inventory reports, organizes the filing system, works on special projects and is cross-trained on many aspects of the business. Michelle’s attention to detail is superb and she enjoys learning the ins and outs of running a small business.

 

When she’s not scheduling your next appointment, you can find Michelle outdoors either camping, hiking, kayaking or going to festivals. 

Kimberly

Landscape Production Coordinator 

Kimberly attended Kansas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture with a specialization in Greenhouse Management and a minor in Business.

 

Kimberly joined the Piala’s team in 2014 and provides support and coordination between Piala’s staff and customers to ensure that our high-quality projects are finished on-time, and on-budget. This includes managing the construction project schedule, routing the seasonal clean ups, and answering customers’ questions about billing. From the signing of your contract to long after the mulch is applied to your plant bed, Kimberly will be one of your main contacts!

 

When she is not coordinating the details of your next project, you can find Kimberly getting dirty in her own garden with her kids, reading mysteries, or taking macro flower photographs.