Sunshine's staff is a talented group of horticulturists, designers, entomologists, and other experts. To request more information about our products and services, or to request a free consultation, please complete the form in the Consultations page.
- Brett & Shelly Kizer, Owners
- Sunshine Landscape & Garden Center has been a family owned and operated business since 1976 when the Carpenters first opened their shop. In August 1998, Brett and his wife, Shelly, became part of the Sunshine family, purchasing the business from the Carpenters. Over the years Brett and Shelly have expanded the products and services available at Sunshine and they continue to offer the highest level of quality and expertise that has made Sunshine the best garden center in the area. In August 2000, when Sunshine purchased Rainmaker Irrigation Company, Brett took courses and became a licensed irrigator.
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- Helen Xiao, Horticulturalist
- Helen wasn't born in Texas but she got here as fast as she could! Raised and educated in Columbus, Ohio, Helen holds two horticulture degrees from Ohio State University, one of our nation's best horticulture programs. She has worked in the nursery industry for 28 years and has lived in Texas since 1971. Helen is an expert in native Texas plants; she holds the TNLA certification Texas Master Certified Nursery Professional Texas A&M. Helen also has 14 years of experience with landscape design and installation having worked for commercial and residential landscape firms across central Texas.
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- Clara McShane, Chief Landscape Designer
- Clara came to Sunshine in March 2001 as sort of a "relief pitcher" to help out during the busy spring season and she hasn't left yet! Clara's passion has always been gardening, and after graduating from UT she studied plants and practiced landscape design for over 10 years. Her expertise ranges from designing the perfect entryway for a home to coordinating large-scale installations. Clara's creative abilities are also on display in our monthly newsletter as she serves as Sunshine's publicist.
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- Shawn Leleux, Landscape Designer
- Shawn joined Sunshine in March 2000 only two years after graduating from Texas A&M University, but he has wisdom beyond his years. He earned his degree in Entomology and is Sunshine's resident expert on insects and how to treat them. Shawn comes to Sunshine from Marble Falls, Texas, where he grew up enjoying outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. His love for nature is one of the reasons he designs and builds such beautiful and successful landscapes.
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- Michael Morowitz, Landscape Designer
- A landscape painter and portrait artist from McLean, Virginia, Mike was certified as a Master Gardener in 1996. He is a member of the education committee at Zilker Botanical Garden here in Austin. For
several years, Mike owned a successful design business in Austin and worked with
Sunshine on many projects. He officially joined Sunshine in October 2002. "I love my work because I get to dream up beautiful things and watch them become reality."
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- Chad Schomaker, Irrigation
- Chad has been the Supervisor of RainMaker Irrigation since May 2002. He's originally from Salem, Oregon, where he worked his way through school as an Agricultural Irrigator. After moving to Texarkana in 1981, he continued to work in irrigation. He then made his way to Houston and
then to Austin, where he has specialized in residential and commercial underground irrigation systems for three years. Chad has been installing landscape lighting for 13 years. In 1999, Chad earned his backflow certification and is able to conduct tests required by local municipalities.
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- Hector Garcia, Foreman
- Hector has been with Sunshine since 1982 and he has done it all. He has worked on the maintenance crew, the landscape crew, and is now the head of the rock crew and foreman of all Sunshine crews. Hector is a real professional and a true hardscape genius. He can build patios, fountains, benches, fireplaces, walls, walkways, and columns with precision. Because of his ability to build exactly what a customer wants, even when they can't fully describe it, some customers think he can read minds!
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