Experienced Arborists and Horticulturists

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Rita Diekemper

President, Founder & Co-owner

Education & Industry Affiliations:

  • - AS Horticulture - Meramec Community College
  • - Certified Arborist -International Society of Arborculture (MW-5725A)
  • - Certified pesticide applicator
  • - BS Accountancy - University of Missouri Columbia
  • - Certified Public Accountant
    - Treasurer of the Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis (LNAGSL)
  • Specialties:
    Design, plant selection, maintenance, supervision and client service

    Why I like my job:
    I enjoy the challenge of creating unique gardens to reflect the individual style and needs of each client.

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    Craig Schrock

    Co-Owner & Operations Manager

    Education:
    - Studied Horticulture at Meramec Community College
    - Studied at Missouri Botanical Garden
    - Certified NCMA Installer
    - Certified ICPI Installer

    Specialties:
    - Landscape Design and Estimating
    - Installation of Custom Designed Landscapes, Patios and Walls
    - Landscape Lighting 

    Why I like my job:
    I Love the process of meeting new clients, designing and implementing their new landscapes. Also, helping employees grow their careers in horticulture is always fun to see.

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    Zach Guilliams

    Installation Manager

    Education:
    Studied Horticulture,­ Nursery and Landscaping at Southern Illinois College

    Specialties:
    - Accounts Payable & Employee Payroll
    - Hardscape and Lighting Installation
    - Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance 

    Why I like my job:
    It is highly rewarding starting an install job from the beginning to the end. The transformations are even better when the client sees the finished product.

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    Marcus Clayton

    Maintenance Manager

    Education:

    - Associate Degree in Horticulture - Cincinnati State
    - Bachelor Degree in Business Administration - Wilmington College

    Specialties:
    - Plant healthcare, species selection, design, pollinator gardens and mentoring.

    Why I like my job:
    - Creating and maintaining conducive spaces for people is always rewarding. I love client engagement and teaching others about plants, soil science, ecological impact and everything horticulture related. 

    Robbie Ward

    Turf crew lead

    Education:
    Studying horticulture at St. Louis community college at meramac

    Specialties:
    Ability to identify common weeds

    Why I like my job:
    I enjoy being outside in the sun, maintaining a nice uniform look on the turf and having a good relationship between GOG and The clients

    Debbie Fritts

    Company Accountant

    Education
    ⁃ associates of applied science degree (computer applications) Jefferson County Community college
    ⁃ Studied accounting degree program at Maryville University
    ⁃ Master gardener/ master naturalist

    Specialties
    ⁃ Work experience is in General accounting, but gardening gives me joy

    Why I like my job
    Before being an employee, I was a client. Now as a member of the team I do all I can to add to the crews outstanding efforts, also my fellow employees are always

    Dakota Sutton

    Maintenance Crew Lead

    Education:
    Certification in Controlled Environmental Agriculture

    Specialties:
    -passionate about plant science
    -maintaining landscapes to the high standard of GOG

    Why I like my job
    I enjoy being able to express myself through creating beautiful landscapes

    Kyle Wehner

    Maintenance Crew Lead

    Education:
    Studied Horticulture at St. Louis Community College

    Specialties:
    - Selective, Topiary, and Rejuvenational Pruning
    - Mixing perennial landscape bed design
    - Native, edible, and culinary garden design
    - Soil Rejuvenation
    - Landscape design

    Why I like my job:
    I love working outside and watching the plants transition throughout the seasons. The ability to teach my coworkers and clients about horticulture field.

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    Gardens of Grace provides the St. Louis area with a broad-range of Landscaping Services.

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