Sunshine's staff is a talented group of horticulturists, designers, entomologists, and other experts. Call or e-mail us today!
- Brett & Shelly Kizer, Owners
- Sunshine
Landscape & Garden Center has been a family owned and operated
business since 1976 when the Carpenters first opened their
shop. In August 1998, Brett and his wife, Shelly, became part of
the Sunshine family, purchasing the business from the
Carpenters. Over the years Brett and Shelly have expanded the
products and services available at Sunshine and they continue to offer
the highest level of quality and expertise that has made Sunshine the
best garden center in the area. In August 2000, when Sunshine purchased
Rainmaker Irrigation Company, Brett took courses and became a licensed
irrigator.
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- Helen Xiao, Horticulturalist
- Helen
wasn't born in Texas but she got here as fast as she could! Raised and
educated in Columbus, Ohio, Helen holds two horticulture degrees from
Ohio State University, one of our nation's best horticulture
programs. She has worked in the nursery industry for 28 years and
has lived in Texas since 1971. Helen is an expert in native Texas
plants; she holds the TNLA certification Texas Master Certified Nursery
Professional Texas A&M. Helen also has 14 years of experience
with landscape design and installation having worked for commercial and
residential landscape firms across central Texas.
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- Clara McShane, Chief Landscape Designer
- Clara
came to Sunshine in March 2001 as sort of a "relief pitcher" to help
out during the busy spring season and she hasn't left yet! Clara's
passion has always been gardening, and after graduating from UT she
studied plants and practiced landscape design for over 10 years. Her
expertise ranges from designing the perfect entryway for a home to
coordinating large-scale installations. Clara's creative abilities are
also on display in our monthly newsletter as she serves as Sunshine's
publicist.
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- Shawn Leleux, Landscape Designer
- Shawn
joined Sunshine in March 2000 only two years after graduating from
Texas A&M University, but he has wisdom beyond his years. He
earned his degree in Entomology and is Sunshine's resident expert on
insects and how to treat them. Shawn comes to Sunshine from Marble
Falls, Texas, where he grew up enjoying outdoor activities, including
hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. His love for nature is one of
the reasons he designs and builds such beautiful and successful
landscapes.
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- Michael Morowitz, Landscape Designer
- A
landscape painter and portrait artist from McLean, Virginia, Mike was
certified as a Master Gardener in 1996. He is a member of the education
committee at Zilker Botanical Garden here in Austin. For several years,
Mike owned a successful design business in Austin and worked with
Sunshine on many projects. He officially joined Sunshine in October
2002. "I love my work because I get to dream up beautiful things and
watch them become reality."
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- Chad Schomaker, Irrigation
- Chad has
been the Supervisor of RainMaker Irrigation since May 2002. He's
originally from Salem, Oregon, where he worked his way through school
as an Agricultural Irrigator. After moving to Texarkana in 1981, he
continued to work in irrigation. He then made his way to Houston and
then to Austin, where he has specialized in residential and commercial
underground irrigation systems for three years. Chad has been
installing landscape lighting for 13 years. In 1999, Chad earned his
backflow certification and is able to conduct tests required by local
municipalities.
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- Hector Garcia, Foreman
- Hector has
been with Sunshine since 1982 and he has done it all. He has worked on
the maintenance crew, the landscape crew, and is now the head of the
rock crew and foreman of all Sunshine crews. Hector is a real
professional and a true hardscape genius. He can build patios,
fountains, benches, fireplaces, walls, walkways, and columns with
precision. Because of his ability to build exactly what a customer
wants, even when they can't fully describe it, some customers think he
can read minds!
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