ABOUT US

In 1997, Rob Garpiel started Garpiel Landscaping, which later became known as Garpiel Group. In the beginning, Rob knew he enjoyed being outside, cutting grass and making the outdoors look better. A natural entrepreneur, Rob quickly found joy in controlling his own destiny. The next success was growing the business large enough to hire his brothers, Matt, then 17, and Joe, then 13. The three realized the blessing of creating a family business that fulfilled a need.

Today, Rob’s personal vision is to help team members achieve their dreams and goals. His greatest satisfaction with Garpiel Group, thus far, has been watching team members flourish as they live the company’s vision, mission and core values. When not at work, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife, Diane, and his two sons, Hunter and Jacob. His family enjoys spending time near Lake Huron in the summer and in sunny Florida whenever they can get away.

Arborist Don Churchill joined Garpiel Group in 2015, allowing expansion of the Tree and Plant Health Care programs. Don is one of the most experienced tree and plant health care experts in the area. His list of credentials is long. Don holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Michigan Technological University; he is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist; and an MDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator. He has experience in pruning/removal, healing sick trees, and plant health care. Don has managed crews on state-bid contracts for the eradication of select, non-native invasive species. When not at work, Don enjoys spending time with his family, either at home or in East Tawas. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and playing softball and golf.

Matt Garpiel, who has been involved in the green industry since 1997 focuses most of his time in the landscape division. Matt has attended several Michigan State University turf management courses. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of turf grass with clients, helping to educate them about best practices. Matt lives in Saginaw County with his wife, Carrie, and their 3 children, Lily, Madilyn and Nash. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, and working in his yard.

Andreja Snelenberger started working for Garpiel Group in 2022 as the Front Desk Coordinator. Andreja loves how her job allows her to work closely with customers and ensure clients are satisfied with their service from Garpiel Group. She enjoys how welcoming and friendly her coworkers are and how family oriented the company is. Andreja graduated from St. Charles Highschool where she was involved in numerous activities including sports, Student Council, and National Honor Society where she put forth many volunteer hours; she is currently continuing her education at Delta College.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, baking, reading, watching movies, and playing with her two cats, Dobby & Luna.

Meet Brian, a Saginaw, MI native who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the Garpiel Group team. After retiring from the fire department as a fire inspector/investigator, Brian joined the Garpiel Group team in May 2023 as our Shop Assistant.

Brian thrives on the daily challenges and camaraderie of working with the Garpiel team. When he's not on the job, you'll find him behind the wheel of his beloved muscle and sports cars, exploring new destinations with his wife Linda, or soaking up the vibrant automotive culture at car meets and shows. With a passion for adventure and a commitment to excellence, Brian is an invaluable member of our team.

Matthew DeVries has been with Garpiel Group since 2012. As Vice President he oversees the overall financial and operational health of the company and its subsidiaries. As the Integrator, Matthew works closely with the Visionary, Rob Garpiel, on the strategic growth and future of the company, a diverse challenge that includes developing and enhancing the company's systems and processes, as well as its financial performance. A proud 2010 alumnus of Central Michigan University, Matthew began his tenure with Garpiel Group as Office Manager, later transitioning to Business Development and in 2016 was promoted to Vice President/Integrator.

Matthew resides in Freeland with his wife, Gabriella, and their son, Beckham. He is an avid music and sports fan and enjoys volunteering time at his church as a drummer for the worship band.

Dan's journey with Garpiel Group began in 2017, when he joined as a Fertilizer Technician. His exceptional dedication and expertise quickly led to his promotion as the Fertilizer Division Manager in 2021. With six state pesticide certifications and over 17 years in the turf care industry, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Born and raised in Saginaw, MI, he's deeply connected to the local community and shares a special connection with the Garpiel family, having attended school with the Garpiel brothers. Beyond his professional life, Dan's experiences have taken him from wildfire and disaster support roles across the western US to helping communities in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Outside of work, Dan's diverse interests include a love for music, playing multiple instruments, a talent for artistic design, and a passion for traveling and woodworking. He's an avid sports enthusiast and a dedicated fan of U of M and Detroit teams.

Tyler Johnroe, Operations Manager at Garpiel Group, brings over a decade of experience and a relentless commitment to excellence to his role. Joining the Garpiel family in 2014, Tyler has proven himself as a dedicated leader with a passion for ensuring the company's high standards are not just met, but consistently exceeded.

Tyler serves as the foundation for all divisions within the company. He collaborates closely with division managers to meticulously plan jobs, optimize operational efficiencies, and maintain uncompromising quality standards.

Beyond the professional sphere when he's not in the office, you'll often find him on the golf course, perfecting his swing and embracing the challenges of the game. And, at home, he shares his time with Blu, his loyal canine.

Alexis Straebel embarked on her journey with Garpiel Group in 2014, initially joining as a Property Technician. A deep passion for the outdoors soon emerged, inspiring her to take the next step by pursuing state licensing as a Fertilizer Technician.

These experiences culminated in her current role as the Client Experience Manager, where she personally visits project sites and meets with clients to guarantee a top-tier product and a remarkable Garpiel Group experience. Alexis thrives on the collaborative spirit of her coworkers and the opportunity to learn something new each day, making every day an exciting adventure.

Beyond her professional life, when Alexis is not at work, you're likely to find her spending quality time with her beloved family, including her wife Sophie and the delightful Bernedoodle, Milo, as well as her nieces, parents, and siblings. She cherishes her friendships, enjoys practicing Yoga, and takes great pleasure in transforming outdoor projects at her own home into reality. Alexis's unwavering love for people is evident in her engagement in various activities. Whether she's coaching lacrosse, playing cornhole, or participating in any outdoor pursuit, you can count on her to be there, enjoying every moment.

Scott Barnes began his journey with Garpiel Group in 2018 as a lawn team member. While gaining knowledge and creating a passion for lawn maintenance Scott was promoted to Lawn Manager in 2023. When he's not meticulously perfecting yards, Scott's world revolves around two key passions: family and adventure.

A devoted father, Scott cherishes quality time with his 6-year-old daughter, creating precious memories outside the workweek. Beyond Garpiel, Scott is an avid supporter of the Detroit Lions, golfer at heart, and finds much joy exploring Michigan's diverse landscapes, with a particular love for finding different dirt bike tracks throughout our great state.

Meet Justin, a proud Saginaw, MI native born and raised. With a passion for mechanics, Justin brings his expertise to the Garpiel Group team as one of our valued mechanics, after joining us in September 2023.

Beyond the shop, Justin finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. You'll often find him tending to his own yard, ensuring it's as pristine as the landscapes he helps create for our clients. He's also an adventurer at heart, spending his free time scouring the shores of Lake Superior for unique rocks or casting a line from the bank while fishing.

When it's time to unwind, Justin loves nothing more than firing up the BBQ and savoring the flavors of a perfectly cooked meal. But his greatest joy comes from spending quality time with his son and beautiful fiancée, creating cherished memories together.

With his dedication to his craft and his love for life's little adventures, Justin brings a dynamic energy to the Garpiel Group team.

Meet Justin McDougall! He began working for Garpiel Group in the landscaping division back in 2022. He quickly showed his passion for plants and the creative processes involved with landscaping leading him to his current position.. Justin enjoys working one on one with our clients to ensure their vision and needs are exceeded. Recognizing his dedication and consistent delivery on our high standard services, Justin was promoted to Account Manager in 2024. This has allowed him to work closer with our clients. Outside of work you’ll find Justin at his home with his partner Cameron, tending to their ever expanding garden. Justin enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for horticulture with coworkers, clients, family, and friends.

Amelia Stricker, joined Garpiel Group in 2017, she loves that her job in allows her to have direct contact with customers. The Bay City native graduated from Northwood University with a degree in Hospitality Management. While at Northwood, Amelia was an avid volunteer and served on numerous executive boards for community events. Nowadays, in her free time, Amelia loves to bake, go camping, play with her cats, Millie & Mabel, and spend time with her husband Luke.

Joe Garpiel is responsible for many of the beautiful and creative paver patios, retaining walls, water features and landscapes that Garpiel Group designs, builds and maintains for our clients. He holds a degree from Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the Landscape and Nursery program. Joe has invested a great amount of time into formalizing his professional standing in the landscape industry, ensuring his experience is a welcome asset to any project. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Kim and daughter Gigi as well as hunting.

Born and raised in Saginaw, MI, Dillon is a passionate wrench-turner both at work and at home, where he often can be found tinkering with cars or equipment. When not under the hood, he can be found on the green, golfing amidst the beauty of northern Michigan, especially in the Traverse City area. Music runs deep in his veins, particularly metal and hardcore genres, which he often crafts from scratch to unwind at night. Road trips are his escape, whether with his beautiful wife or friends his favorite spots being Gatlinburg, TN and western Michigan as cherished destinations. Spontaneity fuels his adventures, as he is a firm believer in going with the flow.

Jake Ureche, our Landscape Production Manager, is a testament to the rewarding journey within Garpiel Group. His dedication and passion for landscaping began when he joined the company as a landscape crew member in the spring of 2014. Over the years, he tackled every challenge and embraced new roles, steadily advancing through the ranks.

Today, as the Landscape Production Manager, Jake oversees the entire landscape division. His responsibilities encompass training crew members and nurturing the next generation of crew leaders, all while expertly managing logistics to ensure the successful completion of projects. He's a devoted family man, sharing his life with his wife and two sons. Outside of the office, Jake finds solace in various outdoor activities, from weightlifting to golfing and hunting. A passionate supporter of Michigan football, Jake's energy and dedication shine both in the workplace and during his time off.

Sarah-Grace (also known as SG) Joined Garpiel in early 2024 as our front office coordinator. She enjoys working alongside a dedicated team of professionals who genuinely care for their work and clients. Before joining the Garpiel team she did work in administrative and event coordination as well as working in the local coffee industry. Outside of work you can find her spending time exploring Michigan’s outdoors, working out, watching movies and trying new foods and drinks with her husband Skyler.