Principal

 

RICK SCHEEN, ASLA

Owner
Rick Scheen received his bachelor’s degree from the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University, one of the top-ranked landscape architecture programs in the nation.

Following college graduation in 1993, Scheen worked on various residential landscape projects in Louisiana. In 1995, Scheen relocated to Austin where he rose through the ranks of a large land design firm, with responsibility for design, construction supervision, and business development. Scheen also used his entrepreneurial skills to start and expand the company’s residential division.

In 2000, Scheen founded LandWest Design Group, Ltd. where he oversees the company’s three divisions and serves as chief designer. His distinctive vision is the foundation for every LandWest project.

ANGIE HANNA

Director of Executive Operations
Angie received her Bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio and holds Master’s degrees from Texas State University and Sam Houston State University. As Director of Executive Operations, she translates strategic priorities into execution across the organization.

 

DESIGN

ANDY THIBODAUX, PLA, LEED AP

Principal
Andy Thibodaux joined LandWest in 2018, with over 20 years of experience working at design and planning firms in Texas, Louisiana and Thailand. A Louisiana State University graduate with a degree in Landscape Architecture (2006) and licensed to practice Landscape Architecture in Texas (2013), Andy’s experience includes roles as project manager, designer and team leader. Certified LEED AP, his experience working in Austin and the ecological landscape it inhabits has created a passion for sustainable design that focuses on creating environments that are native and natural. 

LUKE WEBER

Associate
Texas A&M University graduate with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (2013), over 10 years of experience in landscape design, and performs a variety of tasks including design, design development, graphics, 3D modeling, AutoCAD drafting, and construction observation.

CONNER TRENT

Associate
Conner Trent joined the Landwest Design Team in 2023. Conner graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture from the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University(2021).Conner’s roles at LandWest include conceptual design, construction drawings, rendering graphics, 3Dmodeling, site analysis, land surveying, and drone photography. Prior to LandWest, Conner worked at design and planning firms in Louisiana and Texas.

JOHN HALL, PLA

Principal
John Hall has played a crucial role in the growth of LandWest ever since he joined the team in 2003.  Holding a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M (2002),  and a license to practice Landscape Architecture in the State of Texas (2008), John strives to push the limits of design in order to create unique and one of a kind experiences for our clients.   Leading a team of Associate Designers and Project Managers, John enjoys creating outdoor environments and client relationships that last a lifetime.    

CASSIE GOWAN, PLA

Design Director
A native Austinite, Cassie joined LandWest as Design Director in 2026, bringing over 24 years of experience and a passion for art, architecture, design and especially the landscapes of Texas and beyond. Her career comes full circle here, returning to her roots in residential and ranch environments. Following an early start in the high-end design-build sector, she then spent 15 years at notable Austin studios shaping urban parks, public and private campuses, hospitality venues, and estates.

Cassie holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, alongside an undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture and Fine Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her background fosters a deep understanding of indoor-outdoor dialogue, spatial poetics and rich materiality. Hand-drawing remains central to her process, allowing her to intuitively craft resonant environments from concept to final installation with a sensitivity to the spirit of a place.

An unapologetic plant nerd, Cassie’s designs are deeply informed by Central Texas’s native ecology or wherever an ecoregion takes her. She curates resilient, native flora to welcome wildlife and reflect seasonal changes. Outside the studio, she advocates for biodiversity and education whether it’s mentoring graduate students at the UT School of Architecture or serving on the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy board. In her free time she enjoys sketching, writing, live music, hiking, taking photos of plants and insects, Barton Springs swims, and volunteering with her kiddo on It’s My Park Day.

BRAD BOWLING

Senior Associate
Brad is a Senior Associate at LandWest Design Group, bringing over 15 years of expertise in Landscape Architecture. Specializing in design and graphic illustrations, Brad excels in creating visually compelling and technically sound solutions for a diverse range of projects.

With a strong foundation in design, construction documentation, and advanced computer technical knowledge, Brad is known for his ability to master new and unexplored endeavors, consistently delivering innovative and effective designs. His work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.

Brad holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Oklahoma State University, where he developed a deep understanding of the principles and practices that guide his professional work today. Outside of the office, Brad enjoys spending time with his beautiful family, indulging in great food, and exploring the world of music.

TRES HERNANDEZ

Revit Subject Matter Expert Tres is an ACC graduate with 14 year background in Landscape Architecture utilizing Revit predominantly amongst accompanying software to aid in design development and construction documentation. Tres has a passion for bringing 2D into 3D and learning about how everything is built.

construction

TIM BENTON

Vice President of Construction
Texas State University graduate with a degree in accounting. Tim brings over 20 years of  experience constructing residential landscape projects and assists with all aspects from budgeting, project oversight, scheduling, & installation.

GUSTAVO CALZADA

Project Manager
Graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelors in Business Management.  Gustavo joined the LandWest Construction team in 2021. As a project manager at LandWest, he is responsible for guiding and directing multiple construction projects to completion. 

MATTHEW GONDECK

Construction Irrigation Manager
Matthew joined LandWest in 2025 with over eight years of experience in irrigation, landscaping and water management. As the Construction Irrigation Manager, he oversees LandWest’s construction irrigation crews and operations. His diverse professional background includes law enforcement and U.S. government contracting overseas, bringing a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and attention to detail to his role.

TAYLOR MEOLA

Facilities Director
Taylor is originally from Phoenix, AZ where she attended Northern Arizona University. She has spent over 10 years in medical management before she moved to Austin and joined the LandWest team as Facilities Director. In this role, Taylor oversees the functioning of our offices, approves contracts, manages the fleets, and develops/monitors budgets and long-range plans based on company growth & future needs.

HARRISON HEILIGMAN

Construction Manager
Texas A&M University graduate with a Bachelor of Business Management (2006) and a background in geopolitical intelligence gathering, analyzing, and management.  As a project manager with over 10 years of experience, Harrison directs and oversees construction projects from inception to completion.

COLBY DONALDSON

Project Manager
A Texas Tech University graduate with a degree in Business Marketing, Colby joined the LandWest Construction team in 2025. Originally from rural West Texas, he has lived in Austin for 10 years. Colby is a 4th generation Texas rancher and has over three decades of welding and steel fabrication experience.

ALBERT AGUINAGA

Logistics Manager
Albert came to LandWest in 2021. As the Logistics Manger, he is responsible for ensuring that all materials, machines and tools needed for a job site are delivered, managing fleet responsibilities, and keeping our teams safe. Albert is a Marine Corps Veteran and a former law enforcement officer.

SARAH PEREZ

Construction Team Coordinator
A Texas Christian University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and minors in Spanish and Business. Sarah joined LandWest in 2018. She assists with all aspects of the construction team, from managing labor scheduling, per-project reporting, and budget tracking.

ROGER ZAMORA

Project Manager
Roger Zamora is an American University (Nic) graduate with a Bachelor’s in Architecture and a Master’s Degree in Construction Administration from Iberoamericana University in Mexico City (2022). Roger has over 5 years of experience in the world of design and construction management and uses his leadership skills to manage construction project operations.

JENNA KAZMARSKI

Construction Finance Coordinator
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. After teaching fifth grade for five years in Austin, Jenna transitioned into construction project management and moved to Denver, where she spent two years working in commercial interiors. She joined the LandWest team in 2026, in her role she assists the construction team with estimating, budget analysis, and implementing operational processes.

maintenance

CHRIS OSTETRICO, ASLA

Vice President of Landscape Management
Ex Army Officer with a B.S. in Business Administration from California University of Pennsylvania and over 20 years of landscape experience.

ERIC CHILEK, ASLA

Maintenance Operations Director
Texas A&M graduate with a Bachelors in Leadership Development and a minor in Horticulture (2004). With over 15 years of experience in landscape management, Eric manages overall daily operations and quality control of the maintenance division.

AGUSTÍN “AUGIE” UGARTE

Operations Manager
Augie leads daily operations at LandWest Design Group for the Maintenance Division. As Operations Manager, he orchestrates the logistics that power all projects for the team, ensuring the crews, timelines, and resources work in harmony to deliver high-quality results. An Austin, Texas native, Augie brings energy, accountability and deep local understanding to every party of the process.

AUSTIN QUIET

Director of Maintenance Irrigation
A Stephen F. Austin State University graduate with a Bachelors in Horticulture  (2016) and a background in turf management, Austin is the Assistant Supervisor of Daily Operations and Quality Control LandWest’s maintenance division. Prior to LandWest, Austin held the position of Assistant Superintendent at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio

MIKE HARMAN

Director of Maintenance Lighting 
Mike received his bachelor degree from the business school at TSU, while also playing NCAA D1 golf.  His expertise is unrivaled as he brings over 15 years experience in electric relay protection to the Lighting and Tree Division at LandWest. 

LILY KENNEDY

Executive Administrator
Born and raised in Sonora, Mexico, and a Texas resident for 23 years, Lily supports the Maintenance Division through operational oversight, employee engagement, and vendor relations. A graduate of the Sonora Institute of Technology with a degree in Accounting, she brings over 25 years of professional experience. Lily is dedicated to fostering strong relationships with peers, customers, and vendors to drive operational excellence at LandWest.

DAVID TRIPLETT

Account Manager
David “Trip” Triplett joined LandWest in 2022 and has since advanced to Account Manager, supporting the Maintenance Team. With over nine years of experience in customer service and bilingual proficiency, Trip collaborates closely with maintenance operations and his customers to ensure satisfaction. Known for his dedication and willingness to help, he fosters smooth operations and strong relationships.

Trip previously served as an assistant at Texas A&M International University and is from Bruni, Texas.

FINANCE

JAKE WITTENBURG, CPA

Chief Financial Officer
Jake received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Concordia University in Austin and his Master of Business Administration from Texas State University.  He is a professional accountant with over 15 years of experience in a variety of industries including gas and electric utilities, commercial real estate and development, and public accounting.  Jake oversees the finance and accounting division at LandWest. 

NINA TREVINO

Accounts Payable
Nina brings over 6 years of accounting experience in the automotive and construction industries, specializing in accounts payable.  She manages Accounts Payable, vendor relationships, and general office administrative tasks.

KELSEY PHILLIPS, CPA

Controller
Kelsey is a Stephen F. Austin State University graduate where she earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting.  She began her career in public accounting, specializing in tax, and found her passion for helping clients accomplish their financial goals.  She then went on to a technical accounting role at a rapidly growing small business in the construction industry.  Kelsey handles the accounts receivable, business credit cards, and various other reporting for LandWest.

ABIGAIL MOSICH

Staff Accountant
Abigail is a University of Texas at San Antonio graduate, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2021. She began her career at Cargill, where she spent four and a half years gaining experience in accounting and financial reporting while working in Texas, Arkansas, and Minnesota. She eventually returned to Texas and joined LandWest, where she brings her experience in accounting and financial reporting to the team. As a Staff Accountant, Abigail handles accounts receivable and various accounting and reporting responsibilities for LandWest

AMANDA PHOENIX

Payroll & Software Administrator
With a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Amanda brings more than 5 years of professional administrative experience to LandWest.  She provides payroll administration and general office administrative tasks.

ANDREW PAULSEY

Staff Accountant
Andrew is a graduate of Washburn University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. After graduating, he began his career in Austin, Texas, working for a public accounting firm, where he spent nearly two years specializing in managed care organization oversight and compliance. In 2026, Andrew joined LandWest as a Staff Accountant, where he is responsible for handling the company’s business credit cards and various accounts payable functions.