Sales Operations Support/Sales Coordinator
What we stand for is what we stand on.
— Wendell Berry
The
Humans of Crown Town
Eric Theys
President, CTL / Owner
Read Eric's bio
Eric gets excited about a well-formatted, symmetrical spreadsheet — the kind with perfectly aligned cells and color-coded tabs — and he’s rarely seen without a cup of coffee in hand. He’s the type who will meticulously build a to-do list in Excel and then ignore it completely to go play with the latest piece of machinery. From behind his monitor — where he often appears only slightly more visible than Wilson from Home Improvement— he keeps Crown Town running smoothly.
At Crown Town, he keeps projects moving, budgets budgeted, and the coffee pot mysteriously empty. When he isn’t wrangling ideas into reality, you’ll find Eric running in the early hours or working out at the farm — usually while insisting it absolutely counts as “professional development.”
Amanda Theys
Chief Composter
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Amanda is a Charlotte native, mom of two, and the kind of person who can happily lose track of time with a good book or a puzzle. She loves planning family adventures—whether it’s camping and hiking or a trip to Disney—and is always on the lookout for a great place to eat.
At Crown Town, Amanda keeps the compost division rollin', balancing ideas, people, and plans while making it all look easier than it probably is. She has a knack for turning good intentions into real programs and making sure customers feel like part of the family along the way.
Aaron Gigliotti
Install Technician
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Child-gardening-prodigy turned psychologist, Aaron returned to the plant-world after having his fill of studying and working with human behavior. Don’t worry, he keeps his behavioral health skills strong by binge-watching The Office and Schitts Creek.
Born and raised in Gastonia with his twin-sister, we’re glad that Aaron decided to stay local after graduating from Winthrop University, ultimately landing as a critical part of our landscape install team at Crown Town Landscaping.
After work, when he’s not laying down some sweet tunes on the trumpet, you’ll find this pasta-fueled horticulturist hiking with his fur-baby, a lovable Golden Retriever, Bear.
Levi Tanner
Enhancements Manager
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What do you get when you run a nerdy introvert through the construction and contracting industry? A landscaper, obviously.
Levi may be introverted by nature, but he genuinely loves the people he works with and the craft he’s honing. He shows up steady, focused, and ready to get it done — usually with a perfectly timed random noise to keep morale high.
On the weekends, you’ll “catch” him fishing with a scary podcast in one ear. After a long day outdoors, he heads home to unwind with his four cats — all named after characters from Adventure Time, because commitment to the bit matters.
Lisa Barbera
Lead Designer
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The shortest distance between two points isn’t always the most interesting — and Lisa’s path to Crown Town Landscapes proves it.
This renaissance woman’s journey began in South Florida and wound through Washington DC, New York, and Asheville before landing her in Charlotte as our Lead Designer. Along the way she’s been a stenographer, founded two court reporting firms and a ravioli company, consulted for a startup meadow seed company, and mastered landscape design software.
She’s also a self-taught woodworker who built most of her own furniture — including a dining table constructed on an apartment balcony ((neighbors were… less than thrilled).
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for Lisa; it’s embedded in how she thinks and designs.
When she’s not dialing in a landscape plan, she’s hiking and rock climbing around the world with her husband. Ask her about hiking The Wave — or about how they met (yes, it involves handcuffs). And if you’re out to dinner with her? Don’t order the ravioli.
Jack Duda
Maintenance Lead
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Jack may live in North Carolina, but make no mistake — his sports loyalties and family roots run straight through Michigan. Born into a big, competitive family (second youngest of four boys), he grew up surrounded by sports, teamwork, and just enough chaos to prepare him for lawn maintenance leadership.
Before landscaping, Jack worked at his dad’s car dealership, learning the value of hard work and showing up early. He joined Crown Town after his older brother Zach started here and asked him to help out in his spare time. A few months later, “helping out” turned into going all in — and we’re glad it did.
Now as Lawn Maintenance Lead and fueled by pizza and water (his faves), Jack brings consistency, pride, and a calm, steady presence to every property he oversees. Outside of work, he’s a proud girl dad (welcomed his first child in October 2025), a loyal fan of the Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte FC, and Arsenal — yes, all of them — and a household manager to four cats and one dog.
David Valder
Human Resources / Owner
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David was raised with a sustainability mindset inherited from his grandma and a lifelong allergy to the status quo. His background in the field is simple: a degree in sustainable development and 12 years spent making buildings behave better than the humans inside them (by consuming less energy) and figuring out how to start a few businesses.
At Crown Town, David serves as the Head of HR, where he oversees hiring, culture, and all the “fun” moments that come with managing actual people. His leadership style is best described as patient, suspicious, and fueled by a relentless belief that compost, plants, and teams grow best with the right care. He’s committed to building a workplace that’s just as regenerative as the soil the company produces.
Outside of work, David is a dedicated Duke basketball fan, which explains both his optimism and his occasional heartbreak. He is also “becoming a runner,” which mostly means he owns running shoes and experiences disappointment at regular intervals. Through it all, he stays committed to growing healthy soil, healthy teams, and a future that refuses to be mediocre—no matter how chaotic the humans get.
Mari Zaragoza
Operations Manager
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Mari brings 12 years of selling stone (tough job), construction, project management and landscaping experience to her role as Operations Manager with Crown Town Landscapes team. Born in Joquicingo, Mexico and raised in Hendersonville, NC, she spends her “free” time watching documentaries and chasing two kids under two and her anxiety-ridden dog around the house.
Mari gets in the zone at work by listening to great music and podcasts. But don’t get it wrong, she’s a people-person. You don’t make it 12 years in this industry without caring for the team and clients, and with Mari, it shows.
Dulce Jarquin (DJ)
Client Success Manager
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Raised in Oaxaca, Mexico among pomegranate, mandarin, and mango trees, DJ found her way into sustainability as naturally as fruit grows on a branch. Hard work has always been part of her story — from helping her dad with tree removal to pouring concrete driveways when needed.
Before joining Crown Town Landscapes, she made a stop in the nonprofit world supporting food rescue efforts. Now, as Customer Care Manager, she brings sharp attention to detail, relentless follow-through, and a deep curiosity about both plants and business. If something needs to get done — correctly — DJ’s on it.
Her love of animals started early (she and her sister used to ride a donkey to their grandmother’s house), and today she’s a proud dog mom to a young Lab who runs her world. When she’s not supporting clients, she’s growing much of her own food at home — experimenting with tropical varieties like Pineapple Guava and Arctic Frost Satsuma as a nod to her roots.
Jenna Happach
Junior Designer
Read Jenna's bio
There's a woman in a corner whose eyes are closed as she talks to herself and flails her arms, is she okay? That's just our Landscape Designer, Jenna, visualizing a design. A master of the dark arts of AutoCAD and speaking only in Latin (which sure makes small-talk difficult), she conjures up a plant list that will make you want to kiss your design (or perhaps that's just a love spell?).
Coming from the worlds of field ecology, environmental education, and playground design, Jenna expertly melds her plant nerd knowledge and mud-pie baking skills here at Crown Town to create the landscape of your dreams. On the weekend she stays playing in the dirt, spending time with Hookers or her head between some legs as a member of Charlotte Women's Rugby Football Club.
Nathan Davis
Install Superintendent
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Nate brings 20+ years of landscape industry experience to Crown Town — with a serious focus on hardscape, installation, and design. He’s led teams at large companies, owned small ones himself, and knows what it takes to build something that lasts. Three years ago, he made THE move from Ohio to North Carolina, bringing Midwest grit with him (yes, the “THE” is important — more on that later).
He joined Crown Town for the opportunity to focus on unique, high-quality residential installs and to help grow something meaningful. Methodical, patient, analytical, and diligent, Nathan is the guy you want when precision matters. He also claims one of his talents is annoying his wife — which we’re told is mostly dad jokes delivered at professional levels.
Fun fact: his elbows bend backwards. Even more fun fact: he once worked in a funeral home and drove a hearse.
He’s passionate about THE Ohio State University — football, marching band, traditions — and stays loyal to his Buckeye roots. Add in alt rock, classic rock, rap, classical music, architecture, crime documentaries, medieval history, and time with his family, and you’ve got a pretty full plate. Speaking of plates, he’s partial to a good steak or burger from the family farm, or any breakfast cooked at home with his kids. Beverage of choice? Water, coffee, Liquid Death, or vitamin water. He does not, under any circumstances, “Do the Dew.”
Kris Steele
Brand & Movement Builder
Read Kris' bio
Kris believes in building things that matter. Not just businesses, but momentum. Energy. Possibility. He's wired to see what could exist, not just what already does. Sometimes that means a lot of plans in motion and a desk that reflects creative velocity. Tidy? Not always. Inspired? Constantly.
Chocolate chip cookies are his true love language, though he practices strategic restraint in the name of health and longevity. You’ll just as likely find him on a bike, in the gym, chasing a good sweat, or finding a sauna to reset and think.
But the real center of gravity is his home. Plenty of time with his kids, a great meal with his wife, laughter around the table — that’s the foundation. The ventures, the vision, the next big thing — they’re all better because of that anchor.
Dreaming big. Building boldly. Eating cookies thoughtfully. That’s the rhythm.
Sam Humphrey
Farm Lead
Read Sam's bio
Sam is a regenerative agriculture specialist and educator with a deep passion for growing food and teaching others how to do the same. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Sam previously owned and operated Fertile Ground Farms — the city’s first regenerative, no-till urban farm — and worked in food justice and education. Before joining Crown Town, Sam served as a Farm Educator and as a Horticulture & Urban Agriculture Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension.
Sam came to Crown Town to help grow the farm and stayed because of the people. Known for strong problem-solving skills and a love of hands-on work, Sam is passionate about gardening, good music, fantasy football, and cheering on the Saints and LSU Tigers. At home, Sam hangs out with Loki, the sweetest black cat in the world, and enjoys cooking (and eating) just about every kind of Asian cuisine imaginable.
Rachel Sexton
Gardening Manager
Read Rachel's bio
Crown Town Landscapes’ dahlia-loving Gardening Production Manager brings 14 years of experience ranging from residential gardens to cultivating and caring for the iconic grounds of the Biltmore Estate. This Warren Wilson College grad brings a calm, stabilizing force and a wealth of plant knowledge to the team.
Todd Adam Jackson
Farm Manager
Read Todd's bio
Todd grew up in the Charlotte area, spending most of his childhood outdoors — fishing, camping, gardening, and exploring near the river and wildlife refuge by his home. He holds a degree in Environmental Science with minors in Business and Creative Writing, and has spent his entire career working in and around agriculture. From raising tilapia and hydroponic lettuce to running a family farm and managing a two-acre vegetable operation, Todd brings deep experience and steady leadership to Crown Town.
An Eagle Scout with a love for a good plan (and solving what goes wrong), Todd is an avid fisherman, prolific grower, and lifelong problem solver. He was drawn to Crown Town for the opportunity to build on his farming background alongside people-first leadership in a beautiful, open-air environment. Outside of work, he’s into strategy games, Asian food, BBQ, fantasy football, and blacksmithing — and yes, he once built a fully functional trebuchet.
Drew Lewis
Install Superintendent
Read Drew's bio
Drew is an NC native and has lived all over NC, including in a tiny house on a homestead in the mountains. Drew has a degree in landscape design with over a decade of experience in the landscape and construction industry. He recently moved back to NC after a few years building green roofs throughout NYC to be closer to family.
Kris Steele
Brand & Movement Builder
Read Kris' bio
Kris believes in building things that matter. Not just businesses, but momentum. Energy. Possibility. He's wired to see what could exist, not just what already does. Sometimes that means a lot of plans in motion and a desk that reflects creative velocity. Tidy? Not always. Inspired? Constantly.
Chocolate chip cookies are his true love language, though he practices strategic restraint in the name of health and longevity. You’ll just as likely find him on a bike, in the gym, chasing a good sweat, or finding a sauna to reset and think.
But the real center of gravity is his home. Plenty of time with his kids, a great meal with his wife, laughter around the table — that’s the foundation. The ventures, the vision, the next big thing — they’re all better because of that anchor.
Dreaming big. Building boldly. Eating cookies thoughtfully. That’s the rhythm.
Sam Humphrey
Farm Lead
Read Sam's bio
Sam is a regenerative agriculture specialist and educator with a deep passion for growing food and teaching others how to do the same. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Sam previously owned and operated Fertile Ground Farms — the city’s first regenerative, no-till urban farm — and worked in food justice and education. Before joining Crown Town, Sam served as a Farm Educator and as a Horticulture & Urban Agriculture Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension.
Sam came to Crown Town to help grow the farm and stayed because of the people. Known for strong problem-solving skills and a love of hands-on work, Sam is passionate about gardening, good music, fantasy football, and cheering on the Saints and LSU Tigers. At home, Sam hangs out with Loki, the sweetest black cat in the world, and enjoys cooking (and eating) just about every kind of Asian cuisine imaginable.
Rachel Sexton
Gardening Manager
Read Rachel's bio
Crown Town Landscapes’ dahlia-loving Gardening Production Manager brings 14 years of experience ranging from residential gardens to cultivating and caring for the iconic grounds of the Biltmore Estate. This Warren Wilson College grad brings a calm, stabilizing force and a wealth of plant knowledge to the team.
Todd Adam Jackson
Farm Manager
Read Todd's bio
Todd grew up in the Charlotte area, spending most of his childhood outdoors — fishing, camping, gardening, and exploring near the river and wildlife refuge by his home. He holds a degree in Environmental Science with minors in Business and Creative Writing, and has spent his entire career working in and around agriculture. From raising tilapia and hydroponic lettuce to running a family farm and managing a two-acre vegetable operation, Todd brings deep experience and steady leadership to Crown Town.
An Eagle Scout with a love for a good plan (and solving what goes wrong), Todd is an avid fisherman, prolific grower, and lifelong problem solver. He was drawn to Crown Town for the opportunity to build on his farming background alongside people-first leadership in a beautiful, open-air environment. Outside of work, he’s into strategy games, Asian food, BBQ, fantasy football, and blacksmithing — and yes, he once built a fully functional trebuchet.
Drew Lewis
Install Superintendent
Read Drew's bio
Drew is an NC native and has lived all over NC, including in a tiny house on a homestead in the mountains. Drew has a degree in landscape design with over a decade of experience in the landscape and construction industry. He recently moved back to NC after a few years building green roofs throughout NYC to be closer to family.
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