Meet the Team

Tom Sunderland

Founder | President

Passions

People, nature, adventure, music, everything outdoors

Greatest Accomplishment So Far

Surviving my office job!

Prior to Native Edge, Tom gained valuable experience and expertise in landscape installation, stone masonry, native restoration working various green industry jobs throughout Boulder County.  His passion for the outdoors and affinity for excellent craftsmanship led him to earn a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Colorado in 2001.  That same year, Tom founded Native Edge Landscapes and since then has led the Company through tremendous growth and diversification of services. Outside of work Tom enjoys playing music, tennis and golf and hiking, biking, and skiing around Colorado’s mountains.

David Otano

Finance & Administration Manager

A New York City native, Dave earned his degree in finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business. After 5 years in the hedge fund and capital markets industry, Dave and his partner Alexi decided to relocate to Colorado, where he joined the Native Edge Team. He has helped Native Edge grow in his various roles ranging from gardening foreman to his current position as manager of the finance and administrative team. Outside of work Dave enjoys skiing, hiking, reading and spending time with his two cats Moose and Jeffrey.

Dennis Cowper

Director of Finance | Industry Certified

Passions

Rodeo!

A fourth Generation native of Laramie Wyoming, Dennis earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wyoming before earning an MBA from Idaho State University.   After spending most of his career In Public Accounting and internal management positions within Farmers Insurance group of companies. Dennis left the calm and quiet of the office to chase a childhood dream of railroading for several adventurous years as a Freight Conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad.  After which, returning once again to the climate-controlled confines of Public & Corporate Accounting Dennis joined the Native Edge Team in 2018 where he has played an instrumental role in growing our Administrative and Finance division to be the central backbone of our organization.  If Dennis is not in the office or working on the latest home project, you will certainly be able to find him at the nearest Rodeo with his partner, Penny.

Katie Moore

Human Resources Manager | Safety Coordinator

Katie discovered her love for the Green Industry attending Michigan State University where she earned a degree in Anthropology and worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Horticulture Department.  After a few years living/working on an Orchard in Pennsylvania, Katie made her leap to the landscape industry working as a Foreman and learning some Spanish to better communicate with her crew.  As her career progressed from Foreman to Account Manager, Katie found herself moving to the Administrative realm doing everything from Billing to Safety to Human Resources.  Katie brought her diverse experience to develop Native Edge Landscapes’ Human Resources Department and Safety Compliance.  When Katie’s not working she enjoys baking, nerding out on her favorite topics and spending time with her husband and dog.

Adrian Flynt

Sales & Design Manager

A Boulder native, Adrian studied architecture as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado.  After discovering that his passion for design was more centered around the outdoors, he decided to return to school and earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture. Adrian leads the team of landscape designers at Native Edge. Outside of work Adrian enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing music and golfing.

Andrew Bracken

Director of Operations

A Brigham Young University graduate, Andrew has been a landscape industry professional for over twenty years.  Early on Andrew worked his way up from crew lead to operations manager for a small company in Idaho Falls before taking on design-build manager, estimator and technical writing positions for larger landscape companies in Austin, Texas.  In 2020 Andrew moved with his wife Emily to Boulder and joined the NEL team in 2021.  When not managing landscape operations, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife Emily, leading Sunday school programs at his local church, and crafting custom furniture pieces for friends and family.

Chris Gallagher

Construction Manager | Industry Certified

A Philadelphia native living in Colorado since 1988, Chris earned a bachelor’s degree  in geography from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he also competed as a NCAA D2 soccer player. In the landscape industry consistently since 1978,thanks to his father who passed on his love for gardens and the outdoors, Chris has a notable passion for the design-build process, working closely with our clients and team members, and creating outdoor spaces that bring joy to all who experience them. When not building gardens, he can be found spending time with his family, running rivers, playing music, rock climbing and cactus gardening.

Ben Schnake

Landscape Designer

A native of Manitou Springs, Colorado, Ben earned his landscape architecture degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 2016.  Since joining the NEL team in 2017, Ben continues to develop and grow his landscape design knowledge and skill set with every project he works on. In his free time Ben enjoys skiing, backpacking, concerts, and traveling.

Zan Puig

Landscape Designer

Zan studied at Tulane University and tried several careers before discovering landscape design, which fulfilled  her desire to work in a field that is both creative and sustainable.  After living in a few cities, she moved to Denver 5 years ago with her puppy because she heard it was dog friendly and stayed for the people and the landscape.  When she’s not working, Zan loves finding sunny spots to wander around in, taking care of her plants, and spending a ridiculous amount of time with her dog.

Amy Ratzloff

Landscape Designer

Amy is a native to Colorado and attended Colorado State University to study landscape architecture. There she discovered her passion for design, and she started working at Native Edge shortly after graduation.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time gardening and hiking with her dogs.

Cary Thrash

Project Manager | Industry Certified

After growing up in coastal Alabama, Cary studied Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  Not too long after joining our team as a Construction Technician, Cary earned a promotion to a Foreman position and today, Cary oversees multiple projects at once as a Project Manager and is a Landscape Industry Certified Technician in both hardscape and softscape.   Outside of work Cary is a music lover, a husband to his wife Marci, and father of his two young kiddos, Robin and Parker. Factoid:  Robin was the first baby born in Boulder in 2020!

Tyler Young

Project Manager | Industry Certified

While earning his bachelor’s degree in horticulture and landscape design at Andrews University in Michigan Tyler gained valuable real life green industry experience as a grounds worker for the university’s arboretum and as a summer intern for a very reputable landscape design and construction firm.  After college Tyler moved to Boulder and joined the Native Edge team as a Construction Foreman.   Tyler’s professional approach, attention to detail, and consistent successful execution did not go unnoticed.  He was promoted to Project Manager in 2021.   Away from his job Tyler loves ascending Colorado 14’ers and being involved in his local church community.

Travis Popiel

Account Manager

Travis began landscaping in his teen years as a hardscape mason.  After earning a degree in economics from Montclair State University he began exploring interiorscape and living wall design & maintenance in the New York Metro area.  After relocating to Boulder he gained further experience in design-build, commercial client management and green roofs.  Since joining NEL in 2019 Travis’ focus is commercial account management and new business development. Outside of work Travis enjoys skiing, golf, and exploring Colorado’s mountains.

David Ellis

Account Manager

The son of a Houston based  landscape designer, David began his career in the green industry over 25 years ago in Texas. Since joining the Native Edge team in 2013 David has held various leadership, sales and account management roles. His versatility and industry experience have been a significant contributing factor to our team’s growth and success over the years .  A devoted family man, away from work  David enjoys coaching youth sports and spending valuable time with his wife Chesea and their four children (two sets of twins!).

Khalana Gocken

Plant Health Care Manager | SLM Certified

A pseudo-native of the Front Range, Khalana attended CSU for horticulture. Since then, she has designed and installed LEED landscapes, native and xeric display gardens for the City of Centennial, and taught sustainable landscape courses at Denver University. Khalana has her QS license, is an Accredited Organic Lawn Care Professional and is Sustainable Landscape Management certified. Khalana joined our team in 2020 and has a passion for learning and educating about soil health and science. When not at work Khalana can be found spending time with her family and/or brewing up a fresh batch of compost tea to sell at her local Farmer’s Market.

Corey Barela

Project Manager

A Longmont native, Corey started his landscape career at the age of 15 with his friend’s family business.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and Spanish from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, where he also played competitive soccer, Corey founded and operated a local landscape and irrigation business and went on to be co-owner/operator of a local fence installation company. Outside of the green industry Corey has been a member of the Colorado Army National Guard since 2013, is a retired semi-pro soccer player, and a husband and father of two.  When not at work or on Guard duty, Corey is likely spending time with his family, playing soccer, or lending a helping hand to his extended family’s ranch and livestock.

Justin Ketner

Maintenance Manager | Industry Certified

With a horticulture degree from Colorado State University and 30 years of landscape maintenance experience both in the field and management capacities, we were thrilled to welcome Justin to our team in 2022.  Justin holds a Sustainable Landscape Management certificate as well as a Qualified Supervisor License from the Department of Agriculture.  Justin’s primary focus at Native Edge is ensuring that his teams deliver the absolute best landscape maintenance and irrigation services possible.

Randy Chamblin

PHC Supervisor | Industry Certified

A 30-year industry veteran, Randy first gained a love of pruning during his time studying Ornamental Horticulture and Urban Forestry at the University of Maryland. He honed his skills working in the DC area on high end residential and commercial properties until he relocated from Northern Virginia to Colorado in 2016. Randy joined our team in 2022 and enjoys training and educating staff. He has his QS license with the Colorado Department of Ag. On Randy’s days off he can be found riding his Harley throughout Colorado, gardening, or hanging out with his dog Tink.

Catharine Fowle

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Catharine was born in England and at age 25 moved to America. She raised two boys, both now married, one in the Army and the other working in Boulder with his wife and two children. She earned an Associate Degree in Accounting and Business Management from Old Dominion University in Virginia, while working full time. After moving to Boulder 3 years ago, she has been lucky enough to find a position with Native Edge. Outside of work she enjoys cycling and hiking with her dog Maggie, spending time with her grandchildren traveling when time allows, and just relaxing at home.

Edee Reyes

Maintenance Supervisor

Edee joined our team as a maintenance crew leader in 2018 and has since earned himself a production supervisor position through his excellent work ethic, enthusiastic desire for continued growth and learning, and natural leadership abilities.  Edee’s work passion is ensuring that our maintenance teams deliver high quality services to our customers in a safe and efficient manner. Edee is a huge sports fan and if he is not watching professional sports, he’s probably fishing, leading his adult softball team to the playoffs, or coaching one of his three son’s sports teams.   We try not to blame him for being a Las Vegas Raiders fan, but we just can’t help it:)