Our Approach | GroundLevel Landscape Architecture

Evan Erickson

Office Manager / Associate

Supporting the creative industry for over 15 years with a keen knack for establishing, organizing, and maintaining the details of a great work environment for both clients and fellow teammates, Evan has extensive experience in personal and executive assisting as well as office and studio managing. Originally from Montana, Evan moved to San Diego earning her degree in graphic design while developing her ever-growing love for music.

Nate Magnusson

Associate

Nate has over 15 years of experience in landscape architecture and is a past president for the San Diego Chapter of ASLA. His work includes apartment development, public parks & open space, commercial, public works industry, sustainable design, and urban landscape design. Nate has given back to the San Diego community through his volunteer efforts; helping raise money for schools and local non-profits that provide educational opportunities for children and adults to connect with the outdoor environment and landscape architecture. He enjoys spending free time with his family and surfing.

Brad Lenahan

Senior Principal

With over 17 years of experience, Brad has a wealth of experience in leading complex projects from concept design through construction. Brad’s core strength is his ability to develop creative, yet grounded design solutions centered on his client’s goals. His creativity, technical knowledge and real-world experience allow him to develop solutions for projects of any size, scale, and level of complexity. His “off the field” interests include hiking, tennis, yoga and scuba diving.

John Hreno

Senior Associate

John has a breadth of experience in landscape architecture, urbanism, ecology and architecture with evocative projects that blur traditional boundaries. He views landscapes as mediums with which to invent, creating natural environments, systems, and experiences that are ecologically regenerative and fulfill clients’ aspirations for provocative and visceral experiences. He approaches projects holistically as layers of systems with the goal of creating symbolic spaces and emotional experiences that transcend aesthetic preoccupation.

He has sculpted projects and led teams of all scales and scopes, with clients across the globe including urban mixed-use complexes, public transportation planning, museums, communities, parks, luxury resorts, vineyards, themed attractions and private estates. His thirst for knowledge and unique experiences is a lifelong adventure, often traveling to many of the world’s great cultural centers and natural landscapes for inspiration.

Faye Pokletar

Associate

With over 20 years of experience as a Landscape Architect, Faye has applied her keen sense of design, eye for details, and extensive plant knowledge to luxury estates, multi-family developments, parks, and historic garden renovation from Miami to California, and China to the Seychelles. Faye draws inspiration from her passion for animals, gardening, outdoor activities, and adventures with her family.

Ian Morris

Senior Principal

Beginning as a draftsman and a great coffee maker in a residential estate design-build firm in Chicago, Ian learned then that the process of design always starts with one key element – a story. A story provides coherence to an idea and guidance to creating great places. And Ian does love to tell a great story. Through his 20+ years in design, Ian has been fortunate to craft great places, from estate gardens, to resorts, to multi-family housing and mixed-use developments.

James Reviczky

Senior Associate

After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1999, James made his way to San Diego to work on resort planning, high end residential communities, urban development and upscale retail. James has planned and designed many modern residential projects that respond to the needs of smart, savvy millennials. James spends his free time with his family, often on the hiking trail.

Jose Cazares

Associate - Construction Director

After Jose earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the NewSchool, he went to work on the landscape contractor side to get first-hand field experience. Jose has a strong understanding of all facets of the construction process. Experience includes the San Diego Central Library, Campus Pointe and the SDSU Student Aztec Center. Jose enjoys spending time with his family, spoiling his dogs Scarlet & Bandit and getting lost in the desert.

Phill Siegler

Principal

Phill brings over 20 years of professional experience as a Landscape Architect and Planner. Phill’s collaborations as a designer and leader are visible throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East. As a visionary, Phill believes that great ideas are a culmination of a passionate story and effortless collaboration. Phill strives to use these guiding principles in all aspects of design throughout his career. In his leisure time, Phill enjoys spending time with his family exploring new places.

Jason Jones

Senior Associate

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Jason has been creating timeless designs throughout the San Diego and western region since 1995. Licensed in California and Arizona, Jason brings a diverse and creative background to GroundLevel. His ability to manage and support the studio, provide innovative and thoughtful design solutions, and address client’s needs, make him a valued team member. Jason enjoys spending his weekends on the pitch with his wife rooting on their twin daughters.

Blake Osland

Project Manager

Blake received his degrees in landscape architecture and environmental studies from Iowa State University where he learned to design with site context and sustainability in mind. Coming from small town Iowa, Blake values the relationship between rural and urban atmospheres. He aspires to create interactive spaces and connections between people. Outside of the office, Blake enjoys motorcycles, sports, travel, and staying active outdoors.

Kelley Price

Graphics Director

With a background in landscape architecture and graphic design, Kelley’s focus is keeping GroundLevel at the forefront of visual technology and pushing the boundaries of graphic communication. Kelley strives to capture the essence and soul of a project through vivid imagery that brings it to life. Originally from Colorado, Kelley is an active individual who, in his spare time, can usually be found playing in the ocean or exploring San Diego with his wife and Labrador Retriever.

Amanda Mercado

Project Manager

Growing up as the daughter of a florist and an engineer, Amanda developed a respect for two very different worlds, horticulture and technical design. At UC Davis, she was able to focus her interests into the discipline of Landscape Architecture. Amanda loves to explore the intersection between the natural and built worlds, crafting spaces that play on their relationship. Outside of work, Amanda values her time with family, travel and music.

Taylor Hawkins

Project Manager

Native to Phoenix, Taylor graduated from Arizona State University and began his career in Landscape Architecture. Designing in the harsh environment of the desert Southwest, Taylor learned about creating functional and usable spaces that reacted to life in the desert, while allowing the beauty of the natural environment to showcase itself. Taylor spends his off time with his family & exploring everything outdoors.

Laurie Shih

Graphics Manager

Laurie is a creative and talented professional based in Southern California and Asia with work experiences in theme park resort and entertainment design, public parks, urban, residential, commercial, and master planning. She obtained a master's degree in Landscape Architecture from the California State Polytechnic University Pomona and a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from Taiwan. Laurie's work and education experience have equipped her with profound professional knowledge, intrinsic design philosophy, and a keen eye for aesthetics. Outside of work, she enjoys her time with family, friends, and travel.

Azlynn Hare

Project Manager

Azlynn is a San Diego native and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate. Azlynn has experience in resort design, retail development, master planning, residential landscape design, as well as a nursery management and landscape design/build background. Azlynn focuses on the development of spaces that create opportunity for community and also respond to and encourage growth and stewardship of the native habitat in her work. Outside of the office Azlynn can usually be found on a trail or travel adventure with family and friends.

Yoshi Nagata

Project Manager

A So-Cal native, Yoshi received his degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. He has unique experiences working in California and the Middle East, as well as living in Japan. He brings a different perspective to the team and is always striving to improve his design and technical skills. Yoshi enjoys spending his free time exploring the outdoors, sketching, being a foodie and doing some karaoke.

Karley Bolz

Furniture Specialist

A Wisconsin native, Karley grew up inspired by art and design and developed a strong commitment to the environment at a young age. This passion led her to pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to LA, she studied Three-Dimensional Art and worked in the campus gardens as student director of Arts. For fun, Karley enjoys backpacking, making art, and exploring the beautiful beaches of San Diego.

Ian Bydalek

Landscape Designer

Ian received his degree in landscape architecture from Virginia Tech, where he realized the potential impact that designed nature can have on humans and the built environment. Growing up on his family farm in Hunterdon County New Jersey, Ian finds himself most comfortable when he is in the country and wants to bring that sense of peace to his professional work. When not in the office, Ian has a passion for sports and the outdoors, taking the time to fish, ski, hike, and travel every chance that he gets.

Annie Potter

Job Captain

A Southern California native, and a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Landscape Architecture graduate, Annie is very familiar with the ecological treasure that is San Diego. With experience in Design-Build, Annie's comes to us with an acquired eye for detail and an understanding of the delicate balance that we have and must sustain with our natural world. When she is not hard at work, you can find Annie tearing up the soccer field or immersed with wildlife, whether that be at home with her two cats or as a member of our amazing San Diego Zoo.

Samantha Murray

Landscape Designer

Native to San Diego, Samantha grew up inspired by nature. Developing an appreciation for the outdoor environment, she pursued a degree in Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture & Design. Her professional experience ranges from installation art and fabrication to residential and set design. Outside the office she can be found recharging on her yoga mat, adventuring with her husband, or at home working on her next art piece.

Elizabeth Harvey

Office Assistant

Happily serving as a member of GroundLevel’s Admin Team, Elizabeth has 20 years of experience as a personal/executive assistant for mid and senior level managers in a variety of office settings. Elizabeth welcomes her workday with a positive can-do attitude. Walk into our office and she will greet you with a smile while assisting you. A longtime resident of San Diego, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, taking long walks, the arts, and learning to play the ukulele.

Camille Wildburger

Job Captain

Camille comes to us from Dallas Texas after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. She pursues meaningful landscape and urban design that promotes a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural ecologies. She comes into this profession with a background in sociology and with the intention of creating spaces that manifest the social powers within cities and advocates for a sense of community. Outside of work you can find Camille exploring San Diego either running on the trails, enjoying the beaches or touring the city’s cuisine and brew.

Jo Melo

Landscape Designer

As a native New Yorker, Jo is fascinated by nature’s role in our rapidly developing world. Her education at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry afforded her the opportunity to live in Copenhagen and Spain where she studied urban ecology. Her passion for biophilic design is evident both inside and outside the office. When not at her desk, you’ll catch Jo tending to her ever-growing collection of plants, bicycling about the city, or brushing up on her southwestern plant I.D.

Angelica Cablayan

Staff Accountant

Angelica is a native San Diegan and a graduate of San Diego State University. She is thrilled to work for a firm that is passionate about highlighting the natural beauty of her beloved home town. When she is not running the numbers she enjoys spending time with her family, estate sale shopping and playing soccer.

Nancy Vazquez

Job Captain

Born and raised in Southern California, Nancy grew up experiencing the beauty of the mountains, ocean and desert landscapes. Her love for sketching and all things having to do with the natural environment took her on her journey to Cal Poly Pomona, where she received her Landscape Architecture degree in 2011. Nancy believes smart and sustainable design is the key to protecting and enhancing our landscapes, built or natural. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time hiking, playing tennis and hanging out with her family.

Jerry Zuniga

Job Captain

A Cal Poly Pomona graduate, Jerry developed an interest and appreciation of the natural environment at a young age which evolved into a degree in Landscape Architecture. Within the Landscape discipline Jerry’s primary interest are on sustainability, bio-mimicry, and exploring new and often unconventional solutions to the challenges that arise from the intersections of the built and natural environment. During his free time Jerry enjoys spending it with family, friends, volunteering in non-profits, and exploring the human condition.