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 18 years.
Walt Wilkinson – Is the Turfgrass & Irrigation Coordinator. He is responsible for programming and scheduling all aspects of turfgrass maintenance. Walt has a degree in Agronomy with an emphasis in Turfgrass Management from Iowa State University and has more than twenty-five years of turfgrass experience on golf courses in Texas and the Midwest. He is a former board member of Texas Turfgrass Association, North Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association and is a licensed irrigator and pest control applicator.
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.
Theunis de Villiers - Is the Assistant Landscape Designer and is responsible for helping Elizabeth with the designs and installations for Great Gardens. Theunis received his masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington and did his postgraduate work at the University of South Africa. Before joining our company Theunis has been involved in several design projects including the installation of his design at the McKinney Green Gardens.
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.
