Meet The Team

Kim Hren

Role at Groundworks: Partner & Founder of Groundworks Landscaping since 2002, Lead Landscape Designer, Account Manager/General Manager of Operations

Education/Certifications/Awards: SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY, B.A. Applied Science and Environmental Design, Dynascape Certified Landscape Design, GRAND/MERIT AWARD in NALP, 2014, 2015, 2016 as lead landscape designer

Favorite Plants: Fagus sylvatic ‘Beech tree’, Stewartia pseudocamelia, Caragana Pendula’ Weeping Pea

Favorite Pastime: Camping in Cooperstown and Disney or anywhere! Enjoys watching anything related with the Food Channel as well as the METS, building landscape models, an accomplished tennis player in women’s leagues and was named to EHHS Hall of Fame for Softball, Volleyball, Tennis. Loves her pets Charlie and Ruby along with their friends at the Silich residence.

Erica Daunt

Role at Groundworks: Marketing Coordinator and Accounts Receivable

Education/Certifications/Awards: High Point University, High Point, NC, B.A. Sociology & Anthropology, Minor in Communication

Favorite Plants: Magnolia, Astilbe, Lavender, Hydrangea

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my husband, family and two rescue dogs. Traveling, crafting and music.

Anthony Daunt

Role at Groundworks: General Manager of Company Operations

Education/Certifications/Awards:

A.A.S in Digital Photography from Suffolk County Community College

B.S in Art with a Concentration in Photography from State University of New York, Oneonta

10 Hour Osha Certified

30 Hour Osha Certified

First Aid and CPR Certified

Favorite Plants: Lagerstroemia, Lavender, Red Sunset Maple, Japanese Maple, Hornbeam, Slender Silhouette

Favorite Pastime: Football, Baseball, Running and Spartan Races

Patrick Silich

Role at Groundworks: Director of Design/Build and Site Management

Education/Certifications/Awards: Graduating in May 2019, Suffolk County Community College, A.A.S Liberal Arts

Favorite Plants: Lavender, Peony

Favorite Pastime: Hang out with family and dog Reggie, Baseball, Football

Linda Silich

Role at Groundworks: Partner & Founder of Groundworks Landscaping since 2002, Landscape Designer & Account Manager/Marketing & Advertising

Education/Certifications/Awards: Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH B.A. Speech/Com Business Marketing, Certifications in landscape design and plant identification courses, GRAND/MERIT Award in NALP-National Association of Landscape Professionals 2015, 2016

Favorite Plants: Lagerstroemia ‘Crape Myrtle’ Natchez, Zelkova, Hydrangea ‘Limelight’, Hibicus Syriacus ‘Diana’, Lavender, Camilla, tulips and daffodils

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with husband, Andy and children Erica, Matthew and Patrick in backyard or camping in Cooperstown, watching the METS and being around her pet BEAR and newly added puppies Bailey and Harley. Her other passion is doing TRX, small group classes and personal training at her fitness studio called SILICH CORE + STRENGTH in the heart of East Hampton Village; loves playing piano and singing; enjoys running in cool cities like Boston, Wash DC, Santa Monica, West Palm Beach and has done numerous races and the Marine Corp Marathon.

Andy Silich

Role at Groundworks: President/Partner & Founder of Groundworks Landscaping since 2002, Chief Financial Officer/Production Supervisor

Education/Certifications/Awards: Penn State University, State College, PA, B.S. Cum Laude, Business Finance, Certified Landscaping Management and Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Favorite Plants: Mimosa tree ‘Albizia Silktree’, lagerstroemia ‘Crape Myrtle’, ‘Cryptomeria Japanesae Cedar, Cotinus Smoke Bush

Favorite Pastime: Enjoys any kind of sports, especially the METS; huge fan of FANTASY Football and Baseball; running, spending time with his Labrador BEAR & family at home, camping, Cooperstown, running and also has done many races including the Marine Corp Marathon. Yes he beat his wife by 4 minutes and both completed in sub 4!

Jay Hren

Role at Groundworks: Landscape Site Supervisor

Education/Certifications/Awards: SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY

Favorite Plants: Acer gruseyn ‘Paperbark Maple’, Viburnum ‘carlesii’, Hypericum Hidcote St. Johns Wort

Favorite Pastime: Enjoys watching the Yankees, fishing, spending time at Napeague with his family!

Austin Bahns

Role at Groundworks: Director of Landscape Estimating and Financial Operations

Education/Certifications/Awards: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, Summa Cum Laud B.A. Business Finance

Favorite Plants: Monkey Puzzle Tree, Hibiscus, Mandevilla vines, ornamental grasses & Bird of Paradise

Favorite Pastime: Playing baseball and softball, Travis tournament, traveling, Staten Island visits!

Jake Beyer

Role at Groundworks: Landscape Production Crew Manager

Education/Certifications/Awards: Mercer University, B.A. Environmental Sciences

Favorite Plants: Birch trees, boxwoods, ferns, ornamental grasses

Favorite Pastime: Sundays at Napeague Beach with family & friends; riding his quad; music

Cat Bahns

Role at Groundworks: Financial Administrator

Education/Certifications/Awards: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Favorite Plants: Monkey Puzzle tree, Gardenia, Hibiscus, Dianthus, Hydrangeas, bulbs of any kind!

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with family and friends; playing with her puppies, beach walking with Kent; gardening and planting pots!

Ryan Connor

Landscape Maintenance Division Manager
BA in Horticulture
NALP Certified
OSHA Certified
Role at Groundworks: Landscape Maintenance Division Manager/ Project Manager
Education/Certifications/Awards: Farmingdale State University. Farmingdale, NY. B.A. in Horticulture. NALP Certified. OSHA Certified.
Favorite Plants: Sciadopitys verticillata, Japanese Umbrella Pine
Favorite Pastime: Learning and challenging myself to something new every winter, whether it’s becoming a certified personal trainer or a published poet. Waking up early and being in the gym at 4am. Working at Stephen Talkhouse. Continuing my horticultural education and personal interests to become the brightest version of myself.

Susan DiSunno

Role at Groundworks: General Property Care Manager

Favorite Plants: Dogwoods, cherry trees, shrub roses, lavender

Favorite Pastime: Spending time in her condo in West Palm Beach with her family; doing events like supporting the Soldier Ride; working out with Linda at Silich Core + Strength!

Mirian Chavez

Role at Groundworks: Planter Design and Maintenance

Favorite Plants: Hydrangeas, Spaeth indoor plants, succulent plants, pansies, ivy

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with her two children and husband; gardening and doing pots for clients;