Our Team Is Here For You

We employ 40 teammates who fully appreciate that they are here to serve you!

I'm very proud of our Garden Center and Landscape teammates, here’s why!

Our team is values based and understands the importance of providing an exceptional experience as viewed through the lens of our customers. Upon entering our retail Garden Center, we have a warm and welcoming Customer Service team to assist you with getting your questions answered as promptly and completely as possible. We also can help you find the perfect gift from a wide selection of gift-ware handpicked by our amazing buyers.

Our team is experienced, knowledgeable and experts in landscape and nursery operations.  We employ experienced Landscape Designers and Architects who turn customer landscape dreams into reality.  Our teams of highly-skilled Landscape Installers are able to install walkways, patios, retaining walls, fire pits, and an array of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials.

We have Horticulture, Nursery, and Greenhouse professionals who provide top-quality plants, trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials as well as insight into disease and pest management.  We hold classes to provide guidance and information on subjects such as indoor plant care, preparing your gardens for spring, and how to make Christmas Wreaths to name a few.

We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

Craig Johnson

Vice President

Experts In Our Field

Our Team Members

Our team has the highest expertise in plants, garden products, and landscape design and installation and we love
sharing this with customers!

Management & Garden Center

Kim Johnson

President
Kim is originally from Silver Spring and earned her Bachelor's of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Tech and Master's coursework and internship through Texas A&M University. Her career started as a dietitian, and she has spent the last 24 years raising her three children Jacob, Nathan, and Abigail while supporting her husband Craig in his Executive career. Kim and Craig partner together in overseeing all aspects of the business and she is the primary buyer for all merchandise in the retail operation. When not at work, Kim enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, reading and vacationing with family.

Craig Johnson

CPA, MBA - Vice President
Craig is originally from Baltimore and earned his Bachelor's in Business Administration and Master's in Business Administration Degrees from Loyola University in Maryland. He has spent the last 30 years in the Insurance and Financial Services industry most recently as Chairman, President, and CEO of a super-regional insurance company. Family is everything to Craig and he is the proud husband to Kim and father to Jacob, Nathan, and Abigail. Craig and Kim partner together in overseeing all aspects of the business with his primary focus being leadership, business development, communication and finance. When not at work, Craig enjoys golfing, hiking, exercising and vacationing with family.

Nathan Johnson

Garden Center Manager
Nathan is originally from the Baltimore area and grew up in Sarasota, Florida. He earned his Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi where he met his wife Kate. Nathan wears a lot of hats and supports the company through performing various financial and operational functions, assisting customers in the store, and performing landscape deliveries and installations. Nathan is an avid sports fan having played elite hockey, football, and baseball as a youngster and still enjoys playing hockey and golf to this day.

Kate Johnson

Marketing & Operations Supervisor
Kate, a proud Ole Miss Rebel, traded the beaches of Seal Beach, California for the charm of Central Virginia three years ago. With degrees in Political Science and Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Mississippi, she's a valuable asset to the Waynesboro Landscape and Garden Center. Her responsibilities span marketing, risk management, process optimization, and overseeing boxwood distribution for our sister company, Virginia Boxwood. Beyond work, Kate loves to go shopping, to the movies, on vacations with her family, and spend time with her husband Nathan.

Buck Bland

Horticulture Specialist
Buck is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and has more than 25 years experience in landscape maintenance and plant care. He is knowledgeable in outdoor and indoor plant maintenance as well as disease and pest management. Buck supports the business in many ways through providing guidance and recommendations to customers on how best to take care of plants, trees, and shrubs. Buck also provides educational seminars throughout the year on various topics including preparing your garden for spring, proper indoor plant care, and seed starting to name a few. When not at work, Buck enjoys gardening, his Shar Pei dogs, and fixing things around the house.

Sara Ruckman

Nursery Manager
Sara is native of Weyers Cave, Virginia and has more than 15 years experience in landscape design, maintenance and plant care. She earned her Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech and also holds a Master's Certificate in Landscape Design from George Washington University. Sara also is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist and uses her knowledge and experience in serving customers in all aspects of our business. She also serves as the primary Buyer for all of the trees and shrubs for both our retail and landscape operations. When not at work, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband Nate and daughters Zoe and Rowan. She also enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and canoeing.

Christian Twigg

Greenhouse Manager
Christian came to Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center after years in ornamental horticulture, vegetable production, arboriculture, and forest restoration. He earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia. Christian is responsible for supplying the garden center and the landscape department with high-quality perennials, annuals, and houseplants. After spending the last ten years moving around the Southeast and Midwest he’s glad to be in the Shenandoah Valley working with the best people and plants in the area.
Jack is a native of Waynesboro, Virginia and has over 40 years of experience in the nursery industry. Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Horticulture from Clemson University. He has worked for Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center since 2005 and maintains oversight responsibility for the entire Nursery operation. When not at work, Jack enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Laura, 4 children, and 4 grand-children. He also maintains a strong faith serving 13 years as an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a volunteer with Younglife where he graciously works with youth and young adults through their journey.

Carla Thomas

Senior Office Manager
Carla is a native of Waynesboro, Virginia and has been an instrumental part of the team for over 20 years. She has earned 3 Bachelor's Degrees including Accounting and Music Performance from Bluefield University and Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University. Carla wears many hats including accounting, administration, supervising our Customer Service Associates, and much more. Her experience and journey have equipped her to encourage all our teammates to be the best they can be in fulfilling our mission of delivering quality landscape and garden products and services and an exceptional customer experience. When she is not working, Carla enjoys spending time with family and cooking!

Cameron Indelicato

Garden Center Associate
Cameron is originally from Long Island but grew up in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. He attended Florida Gulf Coast University and received certifications in permaculture design and cannabis cultivation. Cameron's responsibilities include assisting customers with plant / plant material selection, organizing the garden center and ensuring the vigor of the plants meet our standards of quality. In his free time he enjoys detailing his car, snowboarding, hiking and spending time with friends.

Paul Carp

Nursery Supervisor
Paul joined the Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center after many years managing restaurants and being an Executive Chef. Paul's enthusiasm, positivity and creativity are contagious and appreciated by his teammates. Paul serves as Nursery Supervisor with responsibility for plant care, quality control, receiving of goods, and most importantly, providing an exceptional customer experience. Outside of work, Paul enjoys outdoor activities with his rescue pup, snowboarding, and playing hockey. Other interests include a passion for photography and a desire to learn more about horticulture.

Landscaping Division

Jay Byrnes

General Manager & Landscape Designer
Jay grew up in Northern Virginia and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture with a Landscape Design emphasis from VIrginia Tech. Upon graduation, Jay worked for a residential landscape installer and then a large maintenance and commercial installation company. In 1993, he moved to Charlottesville with his wife and first son and started working in Waynesboro for a Nursery and Landscape company where he served for 26 years. In 2019, Jay started with Waynesboro Landscape and Garden Center bringing his knowledge of hardscaping design and installation along with his vast general landscape design experience. Jay enjoys spending time with his family and experiencing as much live music as he can in his off time.

VanCleve Anderson

Landscape Architect
VanCleve Anderson is a Landscape Architect with over 45 years cumulative experience in all facets of the practice of Design/Build Landscape Architecture. Over the years, Van has developed and refined a professional skill set geared towards total turn-key customer satisfaction with primary emphasis on large scale residential site planning and landscape design. A Shenandoah Valley native, Van has been employed by Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center as a Landscape Architect since March 2000. Van, in concert with his teammates, has spent the past 23 years developing and refining the Company’s Design/Build Program into the demonstrated success it is today. Van holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Forestry as well as a Masters of Landscape Architecture both from Virginia Tech. When not at work, Van loves spending time with his grown daughter and son, fly fishing, as well as nurturing all things green and beautiful, and of course…dogs.

Laura Hotinger

Landscape Architect
Laura Hotinger is an army brat who travelled the world as a kid; she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech and holds many certifications in gerontology and therapeutic music. Laura enjoyed working as a Landscape Architect after college then switched to being a local activities director, therapeutic musician and director of senior services while raising her two daughters and caring for aging parents. Through the years, Laura continued to freelance designing landscapes for clients and decided after her nest was empty to pursue a career in landscaping again. The focus of Laura’s work is residential landscape designs for clients in the Shenandoah Valley. When not at work, she loves to play the piano, DJ special events, cook and renovate their 1857 farmhouse property.

Emily Hidle

Landscape Designer
Emily grew up in Northern Virginia and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Horticulture and Design from Virginia Tech. Upon graduation she became a Horticulturist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, helping to maintain their 30 iconic historic gardens. A designer at heart, she moved on to become a Floral Designer for The Inn at Little Washington, 3 Michelin Star Restaurant and Forbes 5 Star Property. Combining the best of both industries, Emily now focuses on residential landscape design and does freelance floral design in her spare time. When not at work, she loves spending time with her family, friends, and Miniature Dachshund - Bo.

Samantha Gray

Financial & Administrative Associate
Samantha grew up in Northern Virginia and the Northern Neck area. She came to Waynesboro Landscape and Garden Center in late 2023 after many years doing Administrative work for the Government. Sam's primary focus is providing administrative and financial support for the company. She is very involved in preparing information necessary to bid on commercial landscaping projects and assists with collections as well as other financial tasks. When she's not working, Sam enjoys spending time riding her motorcycle, fishing, kayaking, hiking and spending time with her friends and family outside.

Tom Lahan

Landscape Designer
Tom grew up in upstate NY and studied Landscape Architecture at Canton Tech and Syracuse University. He has since designed, landscaped and gardened in NY, Florida and Virginia and is an accomplished stonemason. Tom returns to WLGC as he was previously a Garden Center manager 25 years prior. He enjoys attending live music concerts and sporting events.

Alec Patel

Landscape Designer
Alec was born and raised in Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Design and Maintenance along with a minor in Business. After graduating, Alec spent time in the Outer Banks of North Carolina learning different aspects of the landscape industry before he joined the Waynesboro Landscape Team in August 2024. When not at work, Alec enjoys watching sports, going on hikes and experiencing the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley."