Our Mission Statement
Great Gardens is an innovative company who aspires to provide personalized and quality landscape services, foster knowledge and appreciation for nature, and to promote an atmosphere of growth and opportunities for our employees, clientele and the community.
Key Personnel
Elizabeth Smidt, ASLA – Is a licensed Landscape Architect with her masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University with a major in art/design and a minor in architecture. Before starting Great Gardens, Elizabeth spent five years as a designer for Paul Draper and Associates, a Dallas interior design firm. She was responsible for creating and implementing architectural designs for restaurant, hotel and residential projects. She has owned and operated Great Gardens since 1991 and is responsible for all landscape designs and installations.
Roger Smidt – Is the General Manager and is responsible for maintenance sales, operations, personnel and equipment as well as landscape installation and construction coordination. Roger first began working in the industry in college where he spent summers on the maintenance crew for area golf courses. He graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s of science degree. He is a licensed pest control applicator as well as being a licensed irrigator. He has operated Great Gardens with Elizabeth for 19 years.
Laura Camarillo – Is the Office Manager who is responsible for the business operations of Great Gardens. Recently she has also been involved in the marketing and PR functions as well. Before coming to Great Gardens, Laura spent five years as a bank officer in the accounting division of Legacy Bank of Texas, where she received a degree in Bank Operations from Texas A&M.
Kevin Braden - Is the Field Manager who over sees crews and projects as well as coordinating with customers on the condition of their properties. Kevin comes to Great Gardens with a varied construction and sales background including running his own home improvement business.
Lauren Romero - Is our Master Gardner who performs the horticultural visits on various properties and well as bidding smaller plantings and installations. Lauren is a certified Collin County Master Gardener and has a Masters of Business Administration degree from UT Austin. While her current profession and passion is in gardening she comes to us with a long background in marketing.
Lucky, Georgie & Ruby - our furry staff members are a great help to us. Ruby, our golden retriever, has the job of greeting all visitors to Great Gardens, even if it is a little too enthusiastically. Lucky and Georgie work very hard at finding comfortable places to sleep - someone has to do it.
