Meet your Hawks Design, Care and Maintenance Representatives
Hawks is your Milwaukee area source for creative landscape design and maintenance consulting services, with the finest quality landscape installation and maintenance work. Our staff is experienced, knowledgeable and capable of handling projects of any size or difficulty. We would like to introduce some of them to you.
Joe Kresl PLA
Landscape Architect and Owner/President
Joe earned his Landscape Architecture degree from UW-Madison. His many accomplishments over his 40 year career have given him extensive experience in all phases of landscape design and construction. Joe has won numerous landscape awards as well as community service awards. As a strong civic leader, he encourages his staff to be good neighbors and supporters of the community.
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Gary Urban PLA
Chief Operating Officer / Landscape Architect
Gary has been a part of Hawks since 1992. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a state registered Landscape Architect, Gary is knowledgeable in all areas of residential and commercial design and installation. His interests are in the area of lake property, low maintenance and natural landscape projects, as well as patio and masonry features in the garden.
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Lynn Carlson
Landscape Designer
Lynn has been in the green industry in the Milwaukee area since 1991. A graduate of the Horticulture program at MATC, she has been with Hawks since 1994. Lynn's long-time love for plants began as just a hobby, but soon grew into a successful career. From full renovations to small self-installs, she enjoys working with the client from start to finish.
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Steve Wegner
Landscape Designer
Steve has been designing landscapes since 1995, when he graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He enjoys working with homeowners in creating or renovating outdoor living spaces, and beautifying their property through planting design. Steve is committed to focusing on the needs of his clients, enabling him to customize a design that fulfills their needs and fits their lifestyle, with the goal of making the process an enjoyable experience.
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Gary Hillwalker
Landscape Designer
Gary has been involved in the landscape industry since 1989 and has worked in virtually every aspect of the industry from nursery grower, hardscape installer and maintenance supervisor, to designer and contractor. The previous owner of a successful full service design build company, he has done residential, commercial as well as government work. He brings with him a wealth of horticulture experience, how to knowledge and flair for creating beautiful landscapes. With a formal education in Geology, he has chosen this career for his love of the outdoors and passion for landscapes. He enjoys bringing the satisfaction of quality, detailed workmanship and top notch service to every client.
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Bill Sama PLA
Landscape Architect
Bill is a dedicated Landscape Architect with over 25 years of professional experience in Landscape Architectural design, construction and management. A graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, he is a licensed Landscape Architect in 3 states. Bill has worked in both the residential and commercial sectors, but especially enjoys residential projects. He has a good working knowledge of collaborative design, hard and softscape materials, budgets, and how they impact the construction process. Bill enjoys collaborating with salespeople, crews, and especially the client / homeowner. From design through construction, he loves finding the best possibilities and end use for a site.
Viri EL
Landscape Designer
Viri’s passion is to design and build the perfect dream for her clients. She enjoys creating functional spaces that satisfy the client needs while respecting the environment. Born & raised in Mexico, she has a degree in Architecture which included studying for 2-years in Italy. Upon arriving in Wisconsin, she discovered the amazing landscape in the area, extending her studies by obtaining a Certificate of Landscape Design from MATC. She loves to design hardscapes using different types of materials, textures, colors & fragrances in her projects. She enjoys challenges from tiny make over gardens to full new construction homes.
Amanda Dennik
Landscape Design & Sales
Amanda’s passion for plants started as a young girl, helping her mother and grandmother in their gardens. Upon studying horticulture at Gateway Technical College, that passion grew into a drive to create beautiful landscapes full of color and texture. Always keeping sustainability in mind, Amanda enjoys designing functional, naturalized spaces for her clients. Her passion for biodiversity and seasonal interest in the landscape brings wildlife and appeal to the property for years to come.
Brett Londre
Landscape Sales
Involved with landscaping at a very early age, Brett went from helping his parents with their landscape to starting and running a small landscaping business in 2018. He has since worked for several landscape companies, growing his knowledge in everything from landscape maintenance to plantings and hardscapes. Attending college at both UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse, he has always enjoyed the process of working alongside his clients to create a beautiful and inviting environment. With his experience on both sides of the landscape world, Brett knows the ins and outs of what it takes to bring a client's dream landscape to life.