Our Approach | GroundLevel Landscape Architecture

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.

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.

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.

Steve Choi

Senior Associate

Steve Choi grew up in South Korea with a passion for built-environments. He pursued landscape architecture and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona and Cornell. Steve has an extensive portfolio of projects, both overseas and in the United States. He is a highly creative and skilled designer and is a register landscape architect in the state of Maryland. Outside of office, Steve enjoys following K-Pop entertainment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Lorenzo Rodarte

Project Manager

Lorenzo is a licensed Landscape Architect in California and an alumni of Cal Poly Pomona. He is dedicated to the craft of creating innovative environments with a focus on sustainability and urbanism. The strength of Lorenzo’s work is due to his collaborative approach and focus on program driven design. Growing up as a son of a stone mason, Lorenzo was exposed to the construction process from a young age and was inspired by the woods of his hometown, Lake Arrowhead. Outside the office Lorenzo enjoys bicycling, baseball, and taking camping trips with his family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Virginia Fall

Landscape Designer

Originally from Louisiana, Virginia moved to California after graduating with her MLA from North Carolina State University. She views the landscape as a dynamic medium, continually communicating details of time and place. Virginia enjoys exploring historic cultural landscapes for their layered histories and ecologies. She is also interested in the tactile nature of landscape design. When not at work, Virginia enjoys long walks on the beach and short runs on the road.

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.

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.