Biographies
Meet the professionals at Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape.
Steve Van Ryzin (Senior Landscape Designer)
Steve is a lifelong resident of the Fox Valley. His landscaping career path began at the age of 15 when his freshman “career survey” pointed him towards ‘Landscape Architect.’ That ultimately led him to pursue the B.S. in Horticulture that he received from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He has been with Van Zeeland Nursery since March of 1988. He began as Installation Crew Foreman which prepared him well for his subsequent transition into Landscape Design. He has a passion for the unique and unusual conifers that we offer and loves to introduce them to his customers while creating their personalized Landscape Design.
He enjoys being a part of Van Zeeland’s growth and also loves to pass on his passion for plants and design to the “next generation” while we continue to provide the beauty that great landscaping can bring.
Jared Schroeder (Senior Landscape Designer)
Jared is a landscape Designer and ISA Certified Arborist here at Van Zeeland Nursery. He graduated with a degree in Landscape Design and later received his certification in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, and Landscape Maintenance. He’s had the pleasure of working at the nursery and on landscape installation crews since 2015. He moved into the Landscape Designer position in 2017 and looks forward to meeting and working with you to beautify your yard!
Leslie Owsley (Landscape Designer)
Leslie recently joined the team at Van Zeeland Nursery. After graduating from UW-River Falls with her B.S. in Horticulture – Landscape Design, she moved out to Denver where she gained experience in the field as a maintenance leader. After making her way back to Wisconsin, she landed here at Van Zeeland Nursery. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in landscape design and working with you!
Rachel Urich (Garden Center Manager)
Rachel is our Garden Center Manager. She started working in the nursery in fall of 2019 following her graduation at Lawrence University, where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on Biology. Working in the nursery from the start, she developed and expanded her knowledge by helping customers select the best plants for their yard. Rachel transitioned to Garden Center Manager position in 2022, where she continues to leverage that knowledge. She is excited to work with our nursery customers as well as support our community events. She looks forward to the opportunities this position creates and can’t wait to continue to develop with VanZeeland Nursery!
Kellie Johnson (Community Engagement)
Kellie wears many hats within the company that include everything from facilitating Community Events, coordinating the Community Room, leading Human Resources, and specializing in many other areas! She has a previous career background in corporate training, hospitality, and office management. She enjoys interfacing with customers and our community room groups. It is her goal to make Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape a pillar in the Fox Valley Community. She looks forward to being a part of not only the evolution of the company but making impacts on the community as well!
Nursery and Landscape Crew
In the Nursery, our team is responsible for the maintenance and care (including watering, insect and disease control, and pruning) of all plants in the Nursery; upkeep of plant displays; maintenance of the Nursery yard and facilities; as well as providing design, plant and installation expertise to all of our valued customers that shop at the Nursery. If this staff does not know the answers, or does not have the time to assist a customer, they will find a Landscape Designer or Management individual that may know the answer or have the time to help.
As for the Landscape Crew, our team will be split into several smaller, more efficient teams and work on removal and/or installation projects that are coordinated by a Landscape Designer. By assigning a specific crew to a Designer for most of the year, we are able to ensure that this Team understands the wants and needs of those customers who have entrusted us to perform work in their yards. In addition to performing all of the required landscaping tasks at the highest level of craftsmanship, these individuals will always do their best to minimize impact on a customer’s previously finished landscape. The landscaping foreman will also review all plant care and maintenance with a customer prior to leaving, as well as answer any other questions that a customer may have.
In addition to all of the above responsibilities, the Nursery and Landscape Crews will also perform all mulch, soil, sand and plant deliveries that have been scheduled at the Nursery.