Schmechtig Landscapes

Klaus Schmechtig Founder
Born and raised in Germany, Klaus Schmechtig came to the U.S. in the 50s to work for his uncle who had a landscape company in the Chicago area. With previous experience working for a big landscaping firm in Germany and the tricks of the trade he learned from his uncle, Klaus, an entrepreneur at heart, opened Schmechtig Landscapes in 1960. For five years, he was a one-man show. From design to construction to maintenance to management, Klaus handled every aspect of the landscaping business — 24 hours a day, he tells us — while his wife kept the accounts in order and the phones answered. As word of this hard-working, creative and reliable professional landscaper spread, Klaus started hiring people and expanded the business. Today, a number of Klaus’ clients from those early years still depend on Schmechtig for their landscaping needs. What’s the secret? “Schmechtig has kept its philosophy: do good for the environment, always be honest and provide excellent service,” says Klaus. Now that Klaus finally has some free time, he loves to spend it with his family and travel abroad. You won’t find him poking around the museums, though; he’ll be out looking at the landscaping.

Mike Schmechtig President
Of course, the name gives him away. Today, Mike Schmechtig is proud to wear it. As a high school student cutting lawns for the company’s preferred clients, however, Mike was determined to put his family’s green thumb behind him. So he earned a degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Illinois and spent his days tinkering with computers in a cubicle instead. Eventually, a desire to run his own business brought him back to the natural world; the pleasure of taking an unattractive site and making it beautiful and functional keeps him here. A registered landscape architect, Mike focuses on the continuing growth of the company, keeping current with trends and technology, and providing Schmechtig clients the best product and customer service available. If he’s not on a sales call or in a meeting brainstorming the next unique landscape, you’ll probably find him thanking his staff for making his job so easy. That’s the thing about hiring great people, you actually get a little time to yourself, which is great for Mike who is happy to hang out with his three teenagers and his horses.

Todd Hayden Vice-President
If fifteen years with Schmechtig have taught Todd Hayden anything, it’s that customers are the best part of the business. A landscape architect by trade, Todd naturally progressed into sales because he so enjoyed the interaction with clients both old and new. Still integrally involved in the creative exchange of ideas and designing master plans, Todd continues to put his landscape architecture degree from Michigan State to use. Far from a young boy’s dreams of being a professional athlete and a college student’s life as a dairy farmer, Todd has found a family at Schmechtig. “The people here are creative, honest and responsive. It’s like a breath of fresh air coming to work,” he says. Not only is Todd a champion salesman for Schmechtig, he has his hands full at home, too, with three children under the age of 7 to chase around the yard. As for his dream landscape, maybe when the kids grow up.

Design

Rob Schwarz Design Division Manager
In Rob Schwarz’s mind, there are few things as rewarding as seeing his client’s and their family’s appreciation for their newly transformed property which he or his staff designed. As a registered landscape architect with a degree from the University of Illinois and over 17 years of experience, Rob attributes his passion for his profession to his love of the outdoors and the way landscape architecture allows him to creatively blend construction details with planting design unique to each project. Before coming to Schmehctig, where Rob has been for the past 12 years, he began his career working here and in Australia on park and golf course design projects. As the design division manager, he feels fortunate to work with such a talented group of designers who continually push the envelop of creativity and who have an incredible work ethic. When Rob’s not working late at the office or meeting with clients, you’ll definitely find him spending quality time with his greatest reward, his wife and young son and daughter.

Ling Ji
Landscape Designer/Project Manager

Tara McLauchlan
Landscape Designer/Project Manager

Jesse Swanson
Landscape Designer/Project Manager

Tim Thoelecke
Landscape Designer/Project Manager

Jason Szabo
Site Surveyor/AutoCad Tech

Construction

Bill Lahtinen Construction Division Manager
The first one in the office every morning, Bill Lahtinen gets more done before 6 a.m. than most of us accomplish before 9. In addition to managing Schmechtig’s construction division, Bill also manages the company’s three nurseries and helped start the irrigation and lighting divisions. How does he do it all? “Good supervisors and delegation is key,” says Bill. Experience helps, too. Landscaping since he was 15 years old, Bill has taken his career from grass cutter to maintenance laborer to maintenance manager to construction supervisor to the key positions he holds at Schmechtig today. Although he never became the firefighter he dreamed of being as a child, Bill is an expert at putting out fires. That’s just one of the many reasons we love him. His kids, 13 and 9, are big fans of his, too.

Clemente Medina
Construction Supervisor

John Palenske
Construction Supervisor

Dave Trandel
Construction Supervisor

Corey Brethauer
Irrigation & Lighting Department Project Manager

Maintenance

Rob Sizer Maintenance Division Manager
Although we tell Rob Sizer that an 8-hour day is standard for most people; he still shows up at 5:30 a.m. and leaves with the rest of us after 5 p.m. Maybe it was growing up on an apple orchard or working for his uncle’s landscape company in high school and college. Whatever the reason, Rob is happy to get up early if it means keeping his five supervisors and 18 maintenance teams busy and organized and his clients happy. A Certified Landscape Technician with a horticulture degree from the University of Wisconsin and more than 18 years experience, Rob has headed up Schmechtig’s Maintenance Division for the last 8 years. Rob commends Mike Schmechtig for letting him run his own division. “It’s like having your own company within a company,” he says. A proud father and husband, Rob loves spending time with his family. If you’re looking for him on a weekend, check Wisconsin.