Our Team:

Dawn Barr, Owner and Landscape Designer

Dawn has a Landscape Design Certificate from Northwestern University. She has been designing and installing in the landscape industry for over 17 years.  She strives to create current, elegant, and sustainable landscapes, and loves to encourage people to get outdoors!  Her passions include gardening, homesteading, backpacking, and making home-made organic soap.  She is a mama to five children and countless farm animals.

Jesse Barr, Behind-the-Scenes Support, Arborist, and

Equipment Guru

Jesse has a full time job working for Naperville Park District, but after hours still manages to help out and provide support when needed.  His expertise is in maintaining natural/native areas, installing and maintaining trees, shrubs, and ponds.  He also has extensive knowledge of equipment which comes in handy at Rooted.  His interests include painting, photography, and tinkering in the garage with carpentry projects and cars.

Gil Chavez, Crew Foreman

Gil has extensive knowledge in all things landscaping.  He has over 40 years experience in the industry.  Gil excels at using natural stone to create retaining walls, patios, dry streambeds, etc.  I rely heavily on him for overall project coordination and remembering all the tiny little details that make a project go smoothly and efficiently.  He consistently shows up to work with a smile on his face.  His loyalty and pride in his work are exceptional and I couldn't do without him. 

Julio Valadez, Crew

Julio is a crew member who works extremely hard and has much pride in his work.  He has experience with both plantings and hardscape work.  He is skilled at natural stone and brick pavers and is invaluable to our team.  We also depend on him for driving our second truck, helping bring tools and materials to jobsites.  We look forward to a great season with Julio!  We are thrilled to have him!

Benigno Mendoza, Crew

Benigno is a new member of our team this year and comes with a lot of planting experience.  I am looking forward to working with him this year and learning what he most enjoys about the construction side of things. I know that he has a great attitude, a pleasant demeanor, and works really well within the crew.  Having him on our team will be so helpful this year.   We are so happy to have him!

Hector Machado, Crew

Hector is another new member of our team this year.  He is brand new to landscaping and is eager to learn.  I am looking forward to working with him this year and seeing what he enjoys most about his work.  He is very willing to assist the crew in whatever they need and will spend this year learning from the more seasoned crew members.   Here's to a new year and a larger crew and beautiful, rewarding installations!