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About Us

Company Bios

Ivan Katz

In 1988 following graduation from Wayne State University, I decided to pursue a business in the landscaping industry. I received my first industry education working throughout college for a company that focused on annual flower installations for commercial properties. As an entrepreneur, I pursued residential work handling the accounts that were too small for that other company. Then, I worked to diversify the business to be a full 12-month operation.

In 1990, we added the lawn maintenance division. In 1991, we expanded into snow removal and full landscape design and installation. The business has continued to evolve as we constantly search for new ways to better serve our clients’ needs.

In 1994, I married Amy Brook and started the single most important venture of my life — a family! Amy is a wonderful and beautiful woman, and is a phenomenal fan and support system for the business. Our first child, Samantha Tillie, arrived to our joy and admiration in 1998. She is an aspiring musician and overall wonderful child who shares many of my traits … good and bad. In 2004, we were blessed with our second child, Lindsey Brook. Lindsey is an energetic child and as we lovingly say, “There aren’t enough lights in Hollywood.” We reside in Huntington Woods, and Amy and I invite you to stop by any time to visit the “oasis” we’ve worked hard to create.

I am a director for the Michigan Green Industry Association and have served as a board member for three years. I have found great benefit in serving our industry and networking with other professionals dedicated to the development of a truly green world.

After 20 years of operating Great Lakes Landscape Design, I have a great passion for creating beautiful environments for our clients. The best part of the job is seeing and hearing the satisfaction you gain from the work we do. I look forward to many more years of servicing you and all of your landscape challenges.

Jeremy Locke

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for landscaping and gardening. When I was young, it was a hobby to play in the dirt, dig things up, plant them in my parent’s yard and watch them grow.

When I was old enough to get a job, I hired into a local nursery and learned about how plants grow and where they grow the best. That job prompted me to pursue an academic career in horticulture. In my last two years of high school, I enrolled in vocational school to study the basics of plant science and design principles.

After graduation, I attended Oakland Community College and Michigan State University. I worked in landscape maintenance and gained hands-on experience in plant care, nutrients, and maintenance. I developed a belief that one should live to enjoy his or her garden, not live in the garden to maintain it endlessly. During the winter, I worked for a greenhouse grower who produced perennials and annuals.

At MSU, I joined a group called the MSU Hort Club. We went on trips to trade shows throughout the region and state, which is how I found my first job outside of MSU. I interviewed with English Gardens right after I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Design, and became their warranty coordinator. This job taught me to deal with clients and solve their problems in a timely fashion.

I came across Great Lakes at a trade show five years ago, and have been here since. I wear many hats, from designer, estimator, and customer service contact to the snowplow driver in the winter! My primary work is design and horticulture. My knowledge of plant material and design concepts is a great match with Ivan’s field experience. We find that working on projects together creates a great flow for ideas and new concepts … all for the benefit of our clients!