Staff | The Fockele Garden Company

Our leadership team is responsible for all projects and activities of the organization, ensuring that the company is staying true to its mission to provide personal and professional service, build beautiful gardens, and execute a strategy for continued growth.

Our success is not possible without our dedicated staff of over 30 experienced, creative, and skilled employees. Providing professional, customer-focused service is the cornerstone of our business.

	MARK FOCKELE is the company's president and founder. Since launching The Fockele Garden Company in 1990, Mark has designed and installed award-winning gardens in Atlanta, North Carolina, on the lakes of Rabun County, and throughout North Georgia. Over the last 20 years, Mark has built The Fockele Garden Company into one of the top landscape design, installation, and maintenance companies in the Southeast. Mark’s unique designs using drought-tolerant plants give our customers beautiful lawns and gardens, with highly efficient use of water. Mark has been designated an Accredited Professional by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association. His distinct designs have been honored by the Georgia Green Industry Association, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, the Perennial Plant Association, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Lawn and Turf Association. He holds a B.A. from the University of the South and a J.D. from the University of Chicago.
	JULIE EVANS, vice president and garden designer, has worked in and around fine gardens for more than 28 years. Prior to joining The Fockele Garden Company in 2000, she served as a horticulturist at the Atlanta History Center for nine years. She also has extensive nursery, landscape design, and landscape installation experience. In the past 2 years alone, Julie’s beautiful designs have won six awards from the Georgia Green Industry Association, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and the Perennial Plant Association. Julie earned a B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of the South and an M.A. in Biogeography from theUniversity of Georgia.
	TODD A. BROWN has been the general manager at The Fockele Garden Company for three years. He has a long history of over 23 years in the landscaping industry and has been involved in building and leading several successful companies around the country. Todd was recently recertified as a Certified Landscape Professional, a distinction from the Professional Landcare Network that has been awarded to less than one percent of all landscape professionals in the nation. He is also certified as an Arborist, Nurseryman, and Plant Specialist.
	BRAD MITCHELL is the maintenance manager. Brad has a B.A. from the University of South Alabama. He brings over 13 years of experience in horticulture and nursery management to the team, and is in charge of all day-to-day operations, safety, and training in the maintenance department.
	With over 20 years in the green industry, RANDY JEFFERS brings a broad knowledge of maintenance, design/build, irrigation, lighting, pest control and floriculture to The Fockele Garden Company team. As a grower, he worked with companies from across the country in evaluating and marketing new perennial introductions in the southeast. Prior to joining The Fockele Garden Company, Randy worked with developers in the rehabilitation of multi-family properties in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida in order to add lease value through the design and installation of specialty gardens and rehabilitation of mature landscapes.
	WICK ST. JOHN manages the nursery and purchases plants. Wick has an extensive background in landscaping and in managing a greenhouse. As a horticulturist, he monitors plant health in the landscapes we install and maintain. Wick stays abreast of available cultivars, and establishes and maintains relationships with vendors that can provide them. He is a Forest Resources graduate of UGA, has 17 years’ experience as the owner of a Landscape Construction Company, and has specialized in growing greenhouse crops for 6 years.
	SERGIO JIMENEZ, a second generation employee, has worked for The Fockele Garden Company for 10 years. His father started working with the company in 1989 as a stone mason. Sergio has mastered the detailed construction techniques required to build realistic streams and waterfalls. Additionally, he provides expertise in irrigation, lighting, construction and site preparation. Sergio travels as a crew leader to garden installations throughout the southeast.
	STEPHANIE GORDON, as part of the design team, contributes skills including drafting, illustration, digital graphics, and photography. She has a degree in Environmental Horticulture from Gwinnett Technical College, having specialized in landscape design and site analysis. Stephanie is a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, and holds the Level 1A Certified Personnel designation by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
	ANTONIO PANTOJA, an installation crew leader, has worked for The Fockele Garden Company for eight years. Antonio was trained by his grandfather in masonry craft, and builds patios, steps, walls, fences, arbors and fountains. He installs drainage, irrigation and rainwater collection systems. Antonio is an expert gardener. He manages crews during every phase of installation, and shares his artistry whenever required.
	MARIANO URQUIZA currently working as a crew leader for the maintenance department, has been with The Fockele Garden Company for 10 years. Over the years, Mariano has filled roles on both installation and maintenance crews. Having worked in the landscape industry for over 15 years, Mariano recognizes the quality of work provided by The Fockele Garden Company, and is proud to be part of our team.