Landscape Development, Women in Construction Series
Landscape Development would like to thank all of the women that participated in this year’s Women in Construction Series.
You can read all of our interviews below in this news posting.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Johana Contreras, Project Manager for our NorCal Construction division. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Landscape Construction.
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?:
3 years even though it feels like so much longer than that. I’ve definitely had many many conversations about this industry with other women- I’ve heard anything from “I didn’t know women were allowed to work in construction(raised eyebrows)” to “Do you go out and work…in the field (eyes opened wide)” to “What made you want to be part of THAT industry (curious)” and eventually “Is LDI hiring?”
There are few women in Construction, I feel when we see other women in the field we should let them know that they are supported in their work. In what ways have you reached out to other women in the field. And have you ever had a fellow female industry insider help you along your way in Construction? :
The word Alpha-Female is a REAL DEAL. I have worked with so many women here at LDI who I’ve come to love and admire. I’ve sent email reminders, personal touches, appreciation gifts, shout-outs, and random phone call check-ins. All the women I’ve closely worked with have helped me along my journey here at LDI- from helpful tips/suggestions on how to handle a situation to how to be more organized to just your everyday inspiration.
Can you name some women in Construction that have paved the way for other women? Can you give us any details or discuss any personal experiences.:
Every single woman in this field has paved the way for another. Hands down.
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?:
I love what I do. I think every task is my favorite. Even the ones that give me headaches.
When I was in the CV I really loved the interaction across the board from the field staff to the office, to the clients. I loved seeing finished projects and driving by and proudly telling my kiddos “Look, Mommy’s work did that!”
Lately, I’ve been loving the operational side of our industry. Brainstorming SOP’s, implementation, and execution. Walking the client through every step- adding a more personal experience to our work relationship which is a little harder to do here in NorCal.
In what ways does LDI stand out from the rest?:
LDI as a whole has so much to offer- both to the employee as well as the client. LDI isn’t just landscape/construction- considering all of our different departments. I can confidently say that there is a job that will match any professional’s skillset within their relatable interests.
Does LDI provide you with good work and life balance?:
Absolutely! Although LDI is a corporation, its core values and culture reach you on a personal level. You truly feel like the company cares about you and your well-being- a literal extension of your family.
Have you noticed that more women are joining the Landscape field and what types of roles are you seeing more women in that you haven’t before?:
I think our growth has provided more opportunities, for sure. Every year our headcount grows and every year there are new LDI family members to meet at our
“Family Reunions” -Company Retreats-
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?:
We don’t live in a perfect world. The world of construction is pure chaos. It comes down to the individual. You have to know your client. What their triggers are, their fears, their vision, their work style, etc. Every client is different.
I bring peace of mind to our clients through consistent communication. I let the client know that I am there 100% committed to them, their project, their concerns, their image, and our working relationship.
In cases where there are issues, I am honest about the situation and provide solutions. I do not let them go on a soapbox rant- I uplift and keep pushing them forward. I remind them of the vision, the goal, and I say “LDI will get it DONE”
How do you make our clients’ lives easier? Please explain.:
Keeping open communication
Outline game plans
Progress updates
Provide solutions not issues
Stay interactive with the client throughout the project from start to finish
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc:
I’ve been with LDI for about 3 years now.
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?:
I currently work in the NorCal Division but, I did start off with the CV Division when I first started here at LDI.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Melissa Diez, Senior Purchasing Agent for LDI. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Landscape Construction.
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc:
I have worked at LDI for 7 years – just had my work anniversary!
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?:
I work at the corporate office, in purchasing. I order material for Central Valley (Fresno/Bakersfield), and Irrigation for Valencia. I also help out with Maintenance purchases, order PPE, and various orders for other departments and offices.
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?:
I have been in the industry for 7 years. I have helped one of my best friends get hired here at LDI, Aysha Muzzo, who is currently an Estimator.
Can you name some women in Construction that have paved the way for other women? Can you give us any details or discuss any personal experiences.:
I want to say Jenn Downs has been a big influence on me as well as others in our industry. I feel we both share the “not afraid to get your hands dirty” attitude – even though we have two very different duties at LDI. We don’t talk often, but when we do talk, she’s very supportive and just all around very encouraging. She calls it as she sees it and I really respect that about her!
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?:
I have really enjoyed working on our private residence jobs in Lake Sherwood and Malibu. Even though these jobs come with their own hurdles and standards, the plant pallets are always incredible to see, it’s always something different.
In what ways does LDI stand out from the rest?
I feel LDI stands out because of the friendly and comfortable work environment. No matter what office or region, everyone is very personable. I have really good relationships with my PM Teams and others throughout the company and it really makes you feel close and connected with everyone.
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?:
I may not work face-to-face with our actual clients, but I do feel ‘my clients’ are our PM Teams and Account Managers. I try and give them Peace of Mind by providing them with support, getting to their needs/orders in a timely manner, and always trying to keep communication at the top of my list. I feel those are all aspects and traits they appreciate as well.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Pam Holyak, Pam has worn many hats here at LDI from Operations Manager for SWPPP and Erosion Control to Accounts Receivable she gets the job done. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Landscape Construction.
“The most effective tools we have are communication and integrity. I’ve learned these 2 things will build relationships faster than anything else. They open doors, they build loyalty and coupled with teamwork they make just about any conflict solvable. ” ~Pam Holyak
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?:
I spent about 9 years as the project manager/operations manager for the SWPPP division at LDI/ELM now I am working in the Corporate off in Accounts Receivable.
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?:
My favorite projects have been the Porter Ranch development for Toll Brothers and the Deerlake Ranch development for Foremost. Both are multi-year contracts for LDI with various erosion control challenges. During the course of these projects not only have I been able to establish respected and loyal relationships with the clients but, with our field staff as well. I have learned so much from our field staff and from our clients and through these relationships, I have been able to really strengthen my abilities and knowledge as a project manager and operations manager.
In what ways does LDI stand out from the rest?:
LDI definitely stands out from the rest, for instance, our field staff is at the top of the list. The guys that make up the SWPPP/Erosion field crews are among the most hard-working and loyal employees I have ever had the pleasure to know. These guys are trusted and respected by our clients. It is not uncommon for clients to request a specific crew by name. Our company-wide dedication to safety is among our most valuable assets and it is ahead of others in our industry.
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?:
One Call Does It All! Seriously, this is what our clients expect, and get, when they call. They know when they contact us and we confirm that we are ‘On It”, we are truly on top of whatever they need. Years of service have given us an exemplary track record. We do what we say we will do and we do it better than the rest, from start to finish.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Annie Wright, Marketing Director of LDI. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Landscape Construction.
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc: I have worked at LDI for 2 years now and it has been a great fit for what I can offer while still being involved in the Landscape industry.
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?: Currently, I am the Marketing Director for LDI so I work in all departments and all territories throughout the State.
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?: Landscape Construction has been a passion of mine for many years. I have owned my own landscaping business in the Los Angeles area since 2001. I first moved to LA from NYC, where I worked in Online Marketing when my husband was given an opportunity to move to LA for work we traveled here together and I knew right away that I wanted to be outdoors doing landscaping. I first began in the industry by training with a woman who owned her own business in the Pacific Palisades, I was her assistant and from that experience, I went and started my own business. I have installed hundreds of gardens in the LA area over 20 years. My specialty is drought tolerant custom residential landscapes and my work has been featured in the LA Times, Lonny Magazine, HGTV, Annapurna Living, and also Annenberg Skylight Studios. I have also collaborated with many top designers in the LA area.
There are few women in Construction, I feel when we see other women in the field we should let them know that they are supported in their work. In what ways have you reached out to other women in the field. And have you ever had a fellow female industry insider help you along your way in Construction? : Working with women in construction can be rare but I have had the opportunity to work on great projects that are run by women. For instance, I have worked on a few for Bridgid Coulter Design and Tracie Butler Design. These women have a strong design sense and inspire me to work hard and always deliver a great landscape, we have completed many projects throughout the Los Angeles area together. As for installation you mostly work with men and lead by example, I have always trained my crews and have been very active and engaged on the job site.
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?: Some of my favorite projects in landscaping have been working on an eco-friendly LED-certified home in Venice for Bridgid Coulter Design. I was able to be there from start to finish and offer a lot of insights on the project, I also recently did the design for another Tier 1 Green Building in Coldwater Canyon for an old client of mine. My favorite types of gardens are what I call Airy Drought Tolerant and I always use fire-wise plant material as well. It is interesting how the landscape has changed so much in LA, when I first started you could do English Cottage gardens and French Provencial styles which is where my early training came in but with the drought, the plants have changed as well as the water usage guidelines. I actually like having these guidelines in play when thinking about design and I love Australian varieties of drought-tolerant plant material.
In what ways does LDI stand out from the rest?: LDI stands out for me in that it has a sense of family to it and that we look out for each other. Also, the statement Peace of Mind is so funny to me because back when I was living in NYC I used to do work for my friend hows company was called Peace of Mind. I like little synchronicities like that, it makes me feel like I am on the right path.
Does LDI provide you with good work and life balance?: LDI does provide a great work-life balance which is so important today and especially for women who often find themselves as the ones who have to pick up the kids from school and be flexible in their schedules for family life. I also choose to landscape for that purpose as well. I was always able to bring my kids with me to the nurseries, stone yards and on my landscaping jobs, provided they were safe and not too much of a construction site. Which was great for them and for me too.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Jenn Downs the Branch Manager for our Central Valley division. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Construction.
Did you know that women make up just 9.9% of the construction workforce?
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?: There have been several projects that ring a bell. The Row Apartments posed many challenges throughout the install. Ownership from the start of the job shredded their 30 sheet landscape design from the start. We worked for hand in hand with ownership in the field and designed the entire project as we moved through each phase. Having ownership trust in our decisions was very rewarding. The Row Apartments is now the most sought-after multi-family facility in Fresno. Valley Children’s hospital is another, the hospital has transformed its outdoor spaces for their patient’s enjoyment along with areas for large event gatherings. The next phase we will be installing is an outdoor wonderland for the kids! We all look forward to seeing the smiles on all the kid’s faces when this project is completed. There is not much more rewarding than creating outdoor spaces for all to enjoy!
Does LDI provide you with good work and life balance?: LDI absolutely provides good work and life balance. Here at LDI, you give it 110% every day, by the end of the day, you feel successful, you sleep well, and you know that LDI trusts in you as much as you trust in the company, which in hand provides you a sense of security in your personal life. I believe having both, work and life in sync with one another allows you to personally grow in both areas. You can’t have one without the other!
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?: Here is Fresno, we try to exceed all expectations! Our clients are our friends, they trust that LDI will always do the right thing for their project, they know the finished product will be installed correctly, on time, and with the highest level of quality. Our work stands out in our community, the pride on our clients face at the end of the job is priceless!
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc: 3 years and many more to come!
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?: Landscape Construction in CV-Fresno
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?: I have worked in the landscape industry for 18 years. Couldn’t have picked a better profession, I absolutely love what I do!
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. This week we would like to introduce you to Mengtian Zhang an Architect at Landscape Development’s Design Studio located in Ventura CA. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Landscape Architecture at our design studios.
There are few women in Landscape Construction, I feel when we see other women in the field we should let them know that they are supported in their work. In what ways have you reached out to other women in the field. And have you ever had a fellow female industry insider help you along your way in Construction?
I believe there are more women in the landscape design industry than in construction. I definitely got a lot of support from my female mentors, learning from them about tech knowledge, design skills, and communication skills.
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?
My favorite projects are a few senior living podium projects. They are challenging in the design process, and very satisfying knowing that they will serve the community well.
Does LDI provide you with good work and life balance?
Certainly. My managers have been great at accommodating my maternity leave and child-caring responsibilities.
Have you noticed that more women are joining the Landscape field and what types of roles are you seeing more women in that you haven’t before?
There are more women landscape architects taking lead and key roles in project management.
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?
Quick response, and provide high-quality work in a limited time.
How do you make our clients’ lives easier? Please explain.
Think ahead of issues that can happen will save time and trouble for future problems, for example, communication with the city agency ahead will make the plan check process smoother and avoid additional submittals.
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc
3 years
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?
Design studio
How long have you been in Landscape Design/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?
I’ve been in landscape design for 8 years. I have given advice to my female friends in this industry for job hunting tips a few times.
Landscape Development, Inc is honoring the women in our industry. We are pleased to introduce you to Stephanie Terrazas a Project Manager here in the Los Angeles division and amazing strength in our industry. Below are a few insights from her interview on what it is like working in Construction.
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?:
Stephanie: 8 years. No, it is very difficult to try and convince women to join construction – the majority are very much intimidated. The construction field is definitely not for everyone.
Can you name some women in Construction that have paved the way for other women? Can you give us any details or discuss any personal experiences.:
Stephanie: I started my career at a landscape company that had two women in the construction department; one was a project manager and the other one was the division president. I found them both to be very strong, intelligent women with their own individual strengths. One of those women graduated from the same college as me with the same degree and we also shared a lot of commonalities. It was for this reason that I considered her a mentor and tried to learn as much as I could from her while I was there. It always amazed me how she leads our team with such strength and dedication and admired how well-respected she was. How she dealt with difficult situations was very motivating for me and really helped me decide that being in the construction industry is something that I definitely wanted (and could) do.
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?:
Stephanie: I do not have a specific project that I would consider my favorite, but I thoroughly enjoy working on podium projects. The amount of problem-solving, coordination, and strategizing that it involves compared to any other kind of project brings me joy (and stress, but the good kind). Working with my superintendent and foreman to develop the most effective/efficient way to deal with a difficult situation (while making money) is one of my favorite things to do as a PM.
Interview with Mary Perdue, a Senior Business Developer at LDI
We are pleased to bring to you a new interview series at Landscape Development, Inc honoring the women in our industry. Mary Perdue is a Senior Business Developer at LDI and covers both the Los Angeles and Central Coast divisions for our company. We were lucky to catch her for a quick interview.
How long have you been in Landscape/Construction and have you ever done anything to help other women get into the industry?
Mary: I have worked in Landscape Construction since July of 1980, WOW!!! Anytime I can I talk to women about our industry. I have mentored women that I have worked with as well as some that I didn’t work with. At trade shows, I mostly talked to young women. At BIA events anywhere I can.
There are few women in Construction, I feel when we see other women in the field we should let them know that they are supported in their work. In what ways have you reached out to other women in the field? Have you ever had a fellow female industry insider help you along your way in Construction?
Mary: When I first started in the industry I joined the professional women’s group of the BIA. It was there that I had a few ladies take me under their wing and introduce me to people and invite me to events that would be good for me. Some of these women are not with us anymore and the rest are retired. Whenever I can I tell women in the Industry what a great job that they are doing and not to take any shit! LOL maybe don’t print that! There have been many times when women that are competitors ask me for advice. Most know that I will always give advice and help if I can. This can be done without giving away any company secrets!!
What have been some of your favorite projects to work on and why?
Mary: I love high-end residential! I love being part of that with the clients. Going to pick out trees with them, pottery choices, lighting all of it.I actually like all types of jobs, but I like creating that bond with our clients that will last for years!!
In what ways does LDI stand out from the rest?
Mary: LDI has an amazing project management team, like no other!
Does LDI provide you with good work and life balance?: yes
Have you noticed that more women are joining the Landscape field and what types of roles are you seeing more women in that you haven’t before?
Mary: I have seen some women take on roles that are higher up on the food chain, but certainly not enough. I see a lot in purchasing, but we need more women in the management roles. Like Division leaders!
How do you bring Peace of Mind to our clients?
Mary: My clients know that I will always get back to them within a couple of hours. Make them feel important. Give them the correct information.
How do you make our clients’ lives easier? Please explain.
Mary: They know that we can handle any size job and will do it well. We offer them Value Engineering better than most companies I have worked for, give them the best value for their job!
Having the crews to do the work, being able to do both non-prevailing wage and prevailing wage projects. Always responding to the field and office in a timely manner. Doing what we say we are going to do!!!!
How long have you worked at Landscape Development, Inc
Mary: 1 year and 10 months April 1, 2019, was my start date.
What department and territory do you work in at LDI?
Mary: Business Development for 75% CC 25% LA the first year. Now 75% LA and 25% CC
You can reach Mary at