WE WORK SMART – our office is shaped by a highly intelligent team committed to providing creativity.
WE LOVE A GOOD STORY – through timeless and creative design, our works will be as relevant in fifty years as they are today.
WE COMMUNICATE IN UNISON – with our clients, our consultants, and our collaborators to build trust and lasting relationships through a fundamental understanding of excellence.
JM Henson
Job Captain
Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, John Michael developed an interest in the outdoors from a young age. After receiving his degree in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University, he quickly gained experience through his work on a variety of projects, from large scale land development, to urban infill and residential projects. When John Michael is not designing, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking and playing guitar.
José Rodriguez
Landscape Architect
José Miguel Rodriguez is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture. His career path has taken him from one coast to the next, but his focus remains the same – to create thoughtful spaces that respect the character of place. A native of Dominican Republic José enjoys all things ‘island’, give him a pair of boardshorts, flip-flops, cervezas, and plenty of sunshine and he’s bound to be happy!
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.
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.
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 15 years in design, Ian has been fortunate to craft great places, from estate gardens, to resorts, to multi-family housing and mixed-use developments.
Jose Cazares
Associate
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.
Curtis McMahon
Project Manager
A native of San Diego, Curtis has always appreciated San Diego’s countryside and its incredible diversity. With a passion for ecology, he graduated from SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, focusing on built landscapes and natural ecosystems. Curtis enjoys contributing at GroundLevel to solve complex design problems. Outside of the office, Curtis likes visiting zoos, gardens, and museums, or exploring the outdoors through birding and hiking.
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.
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.
Tori Talbott
Landscape Designer
Originally from Connecticut, Tori migrated out west, first to Wyoming, then Oregon and northern California and finally to San Diego. She is interested in projects at the intersection of art and ecology and uses research-through-design methods to explore new possibilities in landscape architecture. She found a passion for ‘making’ in graduate school at the University of Oregon. Making sculptures and drawings to explore places and experiences. Outside of the office, Tori enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, skiing and is learning how to play golf.
Audrey McLane
Landscape Designer
After growing up in Los Angeles and graduating from UC Davis, Audrey has an appreciation for California landscapes and the diversity found throughout the state. She joins GroundLevel with a passion for designing holistic spaces and working in a collaborative, hands-on environment. In her free time, Audrey enjoys hiking, taking care of her many plants, and sketching the world around her.
Blake Osland
Job Captain
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.
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.
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.
Azlynn Hare
Landscape Designer
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.
Alejandro Rojas
Landscape Designer
Alejandro is native to San Diego and graduated from the NewSchool of Architecture & Design. With a passion for designing the built environment he went on to work with a local fabrication shop, specializing in exterior facades. He additionally worked with an A/E firm emphasizing in infrastructure projects. Alejandro brings a different perspective to Landscape Architecture. When not in the office he enjoys spending time with friends and family or finding new places to visit throughout Mexico.
Evan Erickson
Office Administrator
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.
Karley Bolz
Landscape Designer
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.
