Meet the Design Team

Kyle has worked for Van Putte Gardens since 1985, and started by loading cars and sweeping floors. After graduating from Penn State, he worked up through the ranks and eventually became the Vice President of Landscape Division. From 1999 to 2014 under his leadership, Kyle grew the landscape business by 400%. In 2015 he made a successful transition to CEO and became a third-generation business owner. Kyle still enjoys working with people to beautify their yards utilizing unique hardscapes with traditional planting design. On the summer weekends you will find Kyle spending time with his family golfing, fishing or Downhill skiing in the winter months!

Bret has been in the landscape industry for 32 yrs. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education, and after graduating from Brockport State College, Bret chose landscaping as his professional career. In 2002 he joined Van Putte Gardens as a Foreman/designer. Over the past 20 years, Bret has had several promotions and, in 2018, was promoted to Landscape Operations Manager. Bret oversees the daily operations of our landscape team while still managing his projects. He specializes in hardscape projects and loves creating outdoor living areas for homeowners to enjoy for years to come. You can find Bret hiking, hunting, golfing, or spending time with his wife and two daughters in his off time.

Nicole has worked at Van Putte since 2015, her creativity thrives as a landscape designer! Nicole’s design skills help to create exterior spaces using plant materials and hardscape elements such as: paver patios, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, rock gardens, pergolas and ponds. Nicole uses the environment as her canvas, typically beginning with a blank slate and ending with a functional and beautiful outdoor space for people to enjoy. Nicole also estimates and manages our Commercial Landscape Division. In her spare time; Nicole enjoys fishing, boating and interior designing.

Kristen has been in the landscape field for 20 years, after finishing school at SUNY Cobleskill she moved to the Washington DC Metro region. From 2002-2013 she held a variety of positions in the landscape realm ranging from a Crew Foreman, Jr. Landscape Designer, Garden Center Procurement, Commercial Property Landscape Designer, AP/Payroll and Office Manager. In 2013 she moved back with her husband and daughter so they could be closer to their families, adding a son to the mix a couple of years later. She started with Van Putte in 2014 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and in 2016 she transitioned to Landscape Design/Sales and DIY Consultant. Kristen enjoys the challenge of bringing life to homeowners’ yards by making each one different to every client.

Tony is a SUNY Cobleskill graduate with a degree in Landscape Design and Nursery Management.  As a young child he always was in the garden and yard growing plants and enjoying the beauty of nature.  Entering the ‘Green Industry’ was a natural fit and he has spent his entire career in this field in many roles.  Straight out of college he went into business for himself as a landscape design and installation professional.  Tony successfully grew two reputable garden center/nursery/landscape companies from the ground up over the years.  In 2018 he joined the Landscape Design/Sales Team at Van Putte Gardens. Tony enjoys spending time with his family and his dog exploring local sights and sounds.  Favorite things include biking, long walks, country drives, stopping for ice cream, catching sunrises and just being outside breathing in fresh air.

Jim grew up in the landscape industry, the son of a founder of a company as nearly as old as Van Putte’s. His familiarity with the Van Putte family and business began in the mid 1980’s, and continues today. His schooling consists of a BS in Business from Brockport State, and a lifetime of landscape curriculum…hands-on learning through the years…the “school of hard knocks” as it has been called. During the business season, Jim assists his clients with their projects, treating each like it is his own property to develop. His time-off consists mostly of fishing, boating, and tinkering in the restoration of antique outboard boat motors.

Since she was a kid, Holly has helped her parents (second generation owners) with any tasks needed around the garden center—working the registers, watering plants and stocking the shelves. She is a graduate of Oswego State University with bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing.  After college, Holly headed to Manhattan, NY where she worked as a marketing account manager.  In 2002, she decided to come back to her roots and join the family business full time.  In 2015 she made a successful transition to CFO and became one of Van Putte’s third-generation business owners.  When she’s not working, Holly enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.