CBLD Staff
CRAIG BERGMANN, RLA, ASLA
Proprietor
Craig Bergmann is a Registered Landscape Architect, garden designer, plantsman and lecturer. He received a BS in biology from DePaul University in 1981 and founded Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc. in 1982. All design is done under his supervision. Craig is uniquely self-taught, gardening since he was five years old with a gift of his own garden plot from his father.
Bergmann’s award-winning work has been featured in several books and numerous publications, and his own gardens and others of his design have been included on The Garden Conservancy Tours for many years. Bergmann is the editor of the book Midwestern Landscaping, a comprehensive and practical guide to gardening in USDA Climate Zone 5, and he has also presented at lectures across the country. Craig is actively engaged in the community, serving on the Boards for the Elawa Farm Foundation and the Forest Park Preservation in Lake Forest, as well as the Chicago Chapter of the Institute of Classical Art & Architecture. He has received numerous awards for his preservation efforts and installations. When not working, his passions are traveling, gardening, and spending time with his friends and beloved Norwich Terriers.
DONALD BOLAK, RLA, ASLA
Senior Designer
Don started his career with a Masters in Landscape Architecture from University of Michigan. Don has been practicing landscape design and architecture in the Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois) for 25+ years, and joined CBLD in 1998. He has “worn many hats” during his career from crew, crew foreman, estimator, sales, designer, project manager, supervisor, and department manager to his current position of Senior Designer where he concentrates on design development and project management. The variety of custom work done at CBLD, from environmental restorations to elaborate classical gardens to minimalist Zen environs, keeps things interesting. If not a landscape architect, Don would be a photographer. He is a lecturer on photographic techniques, and his award-honored work has been published in magazines.
ERIN-MARIE HERRERA, RLA, ASLA
Senior Designer
Erin-Marie, who has a background in landscape design and horticulture, has been practicing since receiving her BA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She has received her Registered Landscape Architecture certification and is a member of ASLA. After working in design firms specializing in detailing and managing residential construction projects, she joined CBLD in 2012. In addition, she spent two years completing an art studio concentration in ceramics, bronze and metalwork at the University of Illinois. She is interested in web site design, urban vegetable gardens, snowboarding, swimming, illustrative drawing, and spending time with her young son and family.
MITCH HEIAR, ASLA
Associate Designer
Mitch joined the design team at CBLD in 2015 after receiving his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree with a minor in Horticulture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He graduated with honors and served as President of the ASLA Student Chapter. An avid enthusiast of the designed environment, Mitch has a passion for bringing a site to life by creating a living experience with space. He has additional experience in park design, native prairie and forest restoration, and the athletic turf renovations of professional sporting venues. A competitive person by nature, in his free time he enjoys playing in local sports leagues and cheering for his favorite hometown teams.
CLAIRE SCOTT
Associate Designer
Claire is a 2014 graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor in Landscape Architecture degree. Claire also studied at the University of Sheffield, England, in their Landscape Architecture Program. Claire interned with and, upon graduation, worked for a Chicago landscape design company learning and managing all aspects of urban residential design projects. While her passion lies in design, Claire has field experience in project management, estimating and sales. She joined CBLD as an Associate Designer at the end of 2017, eager to apply her background to a variety of new landscape design challenges. Claire is excited to collaborate with the dedicated and talented design team at CBLD. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Chicago with friends; biking through Lincoln Park, enjoying the Riverwalk, Cubs games, beach volleyball, kayaking and painting.
JAMES WELDON
Associate Designer
James joined the design team at CBLD in 2018 after receiving his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Louisiana State University. He is a member of ASLA and is working toward his accreditation as a Registered Landscape Architect. James has experience working on landscape installation crews and has been involved in the implementation of comprehensive irrigation, drainage, and lighting plans. He is interested in cultivating sustainable landscapes through best management practices and expanding his overall horticulture and construction knowledge. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, adding to his plant collection, and all things LSU.
MIRANDI MILLER
ASLA, Associate Designer
Mirandi (Randi) is a 2018 graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and a minor in Horticulture. During her studies, she served as President of the Purdue ASLA Student Chapter. Having previously interned with CBLD from the summer of 2016 to the summer of 2017, Mirandi rejoined the team in the summer of 2018. In her free time, she enjoys reading, plant propagation, photography, traveling, and spending time with her niece and nephews.
LORA FRENCH
Design Assistant/Office Manager
Lora has been with CBLD since 2012, and is likely the first voice you will hear when calling our design offices. She works with administration in the Design, Installation and Accounting Departments. Graduating from three colleges in the 1980s with a BA in Business and Biology, a BS in Biomedical Photographic Communications, and a Master’s of Management, Lora worked in customer service and administrative related positions in health care, manufacturing, and as a work-at-home parent. Returning to the service industry in the landscaping field has been exciting, as she is involved in multiple areas of CBLD – from speaking with prospective and existing clients, to contracts and billing, to assisting with social media and pop-up shops. Her outside interests include photography, hiking, site-seeing, reading and attending musical theater.
JERRY BORREGO
Field Installation Manager
Jerry joined the CBLD Team in the spring of 2015. He studied at the College of Lake County taking various horticultural, business and landscape design courses. 2018 will be Jerry’s 32nd year of creating, managing and installing beautiful and unique residential landscapes throughout Lake County. His attention to detail and customer interaction offer yet another integral element of the CBLD installation team to help make our designs come to life. As an Installation manager and estimator of the CBLD Team, Jerry really enjoys working side by side with Craig, our design team, installation crews and all of our professional subcontractors. In his spare time Jerry enjoys long walks, thrill rides, playing guitar, and spending time with his cats while watching movies at home. His stage name is Jerry B Positive.
JOHN BRENNAN
Project Manager
John is an experienced landscape professional with a passion for design, horticulture, and combining the two to create immaculate outdoor spaces. John joined the CBLD team in 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Iowa State University. He has been working in the landscape design, installation, and maintenance industry since 2005, where he has gained experience in field supervision, operations management, and client relationship management. Prior to CBLD, John worked on Class A commercial real estate landscapes in the downtown Chicago market, where he provided exceptional customer service while enhancing landscape spaces on time and on budget. When not at work, John enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and their rescue dog Bear.
MAGGIE BURKE
Project Manager
Maggie Burke received her Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology after studying English and Fine Arts at Loyola University Maryland. She enjoys the intersection of design and construction, where complex landscape plans are implemented to transform and enhance the built environment. Inspired by a variety of interests and people, Maggie gravitates towards project management where she can work with both team members and subcontractors in the field to reach, even surpass, client goals and expectations. When not at work, she is happily engaged with family and friends, especially her sweet and active little boy.
KYLE LEWIS
Installation Coordinator
Kyle Lewis received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a certificate in Information Systems from Northern Illinois University. Kyle has worked at CBLD since June 2017, and prior to CBLD Kyle spent two seasons in the field as a landscape crew member. Kyle mixes his unique computer abilities and horticultural passion to coordinate and organize the installation department. Personal interests include competitive athletics, walking dogs, and traveling.
GUMERSINDO MARTINEZ
Senior Installation Foreman
Lalo is a certified landscape technician and has been with CBLD since 2008. He has thirty years of industry experience building gardens all around the Chicagoland area. An accomplished plantsman, he never tires of sharing his enthusiasm for gardening.
MANUEL ARREGUIN
Installation Foreman
Manny is a certified landscape technician and has been with CBLD since 1997. He takes pride in his attention to detail and is very knowledgeable with plant types and varieties. An avid outdoorsman, Manny loves sharing his horticultural knowledge with his crew and the customers. In his off time, Manny enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
RUSSELL BUVALA
Head Gardener
Russ is a CBLD veteran, starting in 1988. He is passionate about all aspects of the gardening world, and finds inspiration from artists in his own family as well as around the world; gardens are his canvas. Russ supervises the horticultural teams maintaining the CBLD gardens. Part of his role with CBLD is to lead in the design and implementation of presentation gardens for specialty sites and events. He also leads seminars and tours for a wide variety of gardeners and garden lovers.
DEANNA BUVALA
Assistant Head Gardener
Deanna began working at Craig Bergmann’s Country Garden as a perennial grower in 1987. In 2015 Deanna moved to the Garden Care department to assist with specialty projects and assist with the management of the department. She finds her role to be challenging yet equally rewarding. Deanna had the pleasure of attending the Chelsea Flower Show in England and continues to tour gardens around the country. She finds this inspiring and with each visit, renews her passion for gardening.
LINDA MIRANDA
Assistant Head Gardener
Linda has been gardening since 1997. She has worked at a Golf Course, a commercial landscape company, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and finally in 2008 settled in at CBLD. Linda is a Sr. Gardener maintaining gardens with her team, and also assists with the management of the Garden Care department. She is happiest when gardening, and able to bring beauty and joy to others.
HERMELINDO ALANIS
Senior Gardener
Herme started with CBLD in 1993 and has worked his way up to the Senior Gardener level. He has since trained many of the Senior Gardeners and even more crew members. His love of gardening began in his native Mexico, growing everything from tomatoes and sweet potatoes to pumpkins, corn and peanuts. He loves to work in the garden and enjoys forests, lakes, and his favorite red maple and ginkgo trees.
ALFONSO HERNANDEZ
Senior Gardener
Alfonso has been with CBLD since 1992. He loves creating gardens and working with perennials. In his spare time he keeps his home garden lush with Japanese maples and his favorite plant - the 'Casa Blanca' lily. He collects bird houses, and enjoys time with his family.
ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
Senior Gardener
Roberto has been gardening since 1982. He began as a grower and assisted with sales at a local nursery. He joined CBLD in 1990 as a Senior Gardener. He loves all plants and the new designs of perennial gardens. In his spare time he enjoys working on his own shade garden under his favorite oak tree surrounded by rhododendrons and boxwoods. His latest passion, Dwarf Conifers have found a place in his home as well.
JOSE A. OCHOA
Senior Gardener
Jose has been with CBLD since 1986, gardening alongside Craig before the Country Garden in Winthrop Harbor was opened. He is now in charge of The Gardens at 900 North Waukegan Road. He loves all flowers and plants, making new gardens, and taking care of old gardens. He is an expert at pruning topiary and espalier.
LEAH PILON
Senior Gardener
Leah began her love for plants in 2003. Leah's experience in horticulture began with installing native plants for the Lake County Forest Preserve. She worked for a perennial grower and garden center, spent 3 years at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and found her way to CBLD in 2014. Leah is an animal lover and is especially fond of dogs.
NORA KENNEDY
Senior Gardener
Nora joined CBLD in 2017 and brings years of customer service experience with her. Nora has an excellent artistic eye, and enjoys working in and contributing to the beauty of gardens. She is an outdoor enthusiast and when not gardening, she enjoys hiking and biking with her family.
FELIPE ARREGUIN
Assistant Senior Gardener
Felipe joined the CBLD family in 2011, and is an integral part of the maintenance success of The Gardens at 900, where he spends the majority of his time tending to our show gardens. He also contributes his efforts at our nursery facility, and in his free time enjoys spending quality time with his family and going to the movies.
GABRIEL GUZMAN
Assistant Senior Gardener
Gabriel began working with CBLD in 2000. His favorite time of the year is spring as he loves those first few weeks of digging in the soil. He is a family man and loves traveling with his kids.
LEO DIAZ
Assistant Senior Gardener
Leo began work with CBLD in 1998. He is a quiet man filled with gardening knowledge. Ask him a question and you might be surprised to learn something about your own garden.
JOSE E. OCHOA
Assistant Senior Gardener
Jose joined CBLD in 2005. He is a skilled trimmer and a strong leader. Jose enjoys gardening at home as well as watching soccer and playing games with the family.
ALBERTO OSEGUERA
Assistant Senior Gardener
Alberto began work with CBLD in 2000. Alberto has an eye for artistic design, and is a master with containers and color combinations. In his free time, you will find Alberto working in his backyard rain garden.
ALFONSO OSEGUERA
Assistant Senior Gardener
Alfonso began working with CBLD in 1995 as a Nursery Foreman. He was behind the scenes maintaining plants, making deliveries and assisting with the daily tasks in our nursery. In 2009, Alfonso moved to Garden Care as an Assistant Senior Gardener where he works primarily in the city of Chicago. He has a passion for plants and when the day is done, he continues his gardening at home.
KEITH CARLSEN
Nursery Manager
Keith heads the team that coordinates the operations out of our nursery facility in Wadsworth. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the College of Lake County, and brings with him 30+ years of experience in the construction industry as well as 8 years in manufacturing. In his spare time, he enjoys driving and working on old cars, and he also loves spending time outdoors, traveling to the northern wilderness, and fishing, even if it is just in the retention pond at our nursery!
MISTY M. BECKER
Inventory & Purchasing Administrator
A degree in Business Management is added to the pile of experience Misty brings to keep the nursery inventory in check and office maintained. She enjoys her time off with family, dogs, and friends going camping, taking mini-travel trips, and recently has taken up kick-boxing as a fitness sport.
STEPHANIE LINDEMANN
Retail Coordinator
Stephanie received her B.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University. She began her career in horticulture working for public institutions such as Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, and most recently, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, where she spent the last 17 years coordinating events with garden clubs, plant societies and the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Stephanie has a passion for connecting people with plants, and she is especially fond of spring blooming bulbs. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and of course gardening.
ALEXANDER BUVALA
Plant Procurer
Alex was raised in the CBLD family, and has spent the past 8 years working with the company, and he assumed his role in Plant Procurement in 2017. He brings with him a Bachelor’s Degree for Horticulture Design and Management from Iowa State University, where he also worked on the ISU Park Management Staff. Alex is interested in permaculture and aquaponics, and he also enjoys bird training, painting, and exploring the tastes of craft beers and wines.
JANE JOHNSON
Head Grower
The Head Grower of all seasonal annual crops, Jane has been with CBLD since 1990. She received her BS in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She enjoys researching and trialing different plants, as well as visiting botanical gardens, trial gardens and locally grown venues. She also has a passion for all animals, loves her many pets, and is committed to animal rescue work.