Mariani Landscape

Our hearts are heavy as we share the loss of Lee Keenan. Lee was pragmatic, down to earth, and made the best of any situation. Lee nurtured the growth of this company, and we will always be grateful for his unwavering commitment and excellent leadership. Most importantly, Lee was a good friend to many. We can never replace his light, and we will always remember his frequently heard words, “Do the best you can.” Our hearts are with Lee’s family, as we wish them strength, peace, and love. He is deeply missed. Mariani Profile from July 2023 NAME: Lee K POSITION: Vice President of Construction Sales DEPARTMENT: Design and Construction TIME AT MARIANI: 13 years plus DESCRIBE YOUR JOB: Depends on the day. Most days, I try to keep everything moving forward so we can build great projects and take care of them long-term. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB HERE: Director of Construction Project Management, managed the Project Management team. FAVORITE THING ABOUT MY JOB: I have two favorite things. First, the people I get to work with. Second, earning a client’s trust and then delivering the best project. FAVORITE THING(S) TO DO AWAY FROM MY JOB: Spending time with family and friends is most important. I like to find ways to combine that with activities like golf, bike riding, cross-country skiing, etc. A CRAZY MEMORY THAT HAPPENED HERE: One of my favorite moments was when a client was going to have the Cardinal over for dinner with a group of friends. Frank Mariani called me and asked how the place looks, I said the place looks fine—bad mistake. Frank drove over and walked around the property. He immediately called maintenance and, within an hour, 60 people were there installing groundcover in empty beds and doing the extra cleanup. I got two phone calls, one from the client who was really delighted with the work completed. (As devout Catholics I think they knew Frank was doing his best to get through the gates and St Peter. The extra cleanup for the Cardinal could only help.) The other call was from Frank. He was very brief and basically said, “Thank God you work in construction and not maintenance.” ANY FINAL THOUGHTS: I think many people know for the last twelve years I have dealt with Cancer, always something I have been open about. I was told it’s the best kind of Cancer to have, the one that doesn’t spread nearly as aggressively as the other types. I used to go for CT scans every three months and worry way too much about the results, not enjoying life as much as I should. So now I focus on enjoying every day as much as possible.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded three Gold Awards of Excellence from the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Thank you to the NALP for the recognition. “A Capital View” by Design Principal Carrie Woleben-Meade and Project Architect Joey Henrichs Photography: Tony Soluri “A Work of Art” by Design Principal Sara Furlan “Mid-Century Mastery” by Design Principal Tony Lobello Architect: John Eifler Photography: Tony Soluri Congratulations to our design-build team. We are incredibly grateful to our collaborators and clients for their ongoing trust and partnership. Swipe to see the winning properties and stay tuned for the unveiling of the project pages on our website. “A Work of Art” can be seen here: https://lnkd.in/gEJud4_Q #MarianiLandscape #NALP #LandscapeProfessionals #ResidentialDesign #LandscapeDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #LandscapeConstruction #DesignBuild #AwardWinningLandscape #LuxuryHome

We had so much fun last night at the IL ASLA Awards, where we were presented with the Honor Award for Residential Design for our project, Seamless Transition. Thank you, Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) and to the jury. We are truly honored. We are endlessly grateful to our client for their ongoing trust and partnership. Congratulations to our Design-Build team, our Design Principal, Sara Furlan, and supporting Project Architect, Colleen Barkley. First photo: Landscape Designer Mallory Koning, Design Principal Carrie Woleben-Meade, Project Director Jenna Pfau, Director of Design Colleen Barkley Second photo: Director of Design Colleen Barkley #MarianiLandscape #ILASLA #ILASLAAwards #ResidentialDesign #LandscapeDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #DesignBuild #DesignTeam

Name: Karina Cazares Position: Talent Acquisition Partner Department: HR Time at Mariani: 1 year, 5 months Describe your job: I'm the bridge between our company and our future team members. My role involves sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, and providing positive candidate experience throughout the hiring process. Favorite thing about your job: The satisfaction of finding the perfect match! It is rewarding to know that you have helped someone find a fulfilling career and contributed to the success of the business. Hobbies or interests outside of work: Recently, I have prioritized spending more time with my family and incorporating regular exercise into my daily routine. Listening to audiobooks has also been a delightful escape! What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally? Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of reflection and gratitude for me. My parents' journey from Mexico to the United States was a testimony to their resilience and determination. Their sacrifice and hard work have provided me with countless opportunities. I am eternally grateful for their support, and the opportunities they have provided. Are there any traditions or celebrations from your culture that you particularly enjoy? Absolutely! One of my favorite traditions is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Death), a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring our departed loved ones that takes place end of October and beginning of November. This celebration is a beautiful way to remember and celebrate their lives. This tradition, which we continue to follow at home, remains incredibly meaningful to me, as it's a cherished memory from my childhood. How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your values and perspectives in life and at work? Growing up in a culture that emphasized resilience, adaptability, and the importance of family, I've carried these traits into my professional life. They've provided a strong foundation, enabling me to overcome challenges, embrace change, and maintain a strong sense of purpose in my work and in life. #MarianiLandscape #MarianiProfiles #HispanicHeritageMonth #GreenIndustryProfessionals #LandscapeIndustry #TalentAcquisition #HRProfessional #CulturalTraditions

Congratulations to these dynamic women! We're thrilled to announce our SVP of Maintenance, Laura Gianorio, and two of our Senior Client Representatives, Shari Precht and Katie Belleno, are featured in the 30th Anniversary issue of Modern Luxury's CS Magazine as Dynamic Women 2024. We are so proud of their hard work and commitment to this industry. Check out what they have to say about leadership, career pivots, self-improvement, and more here: https://lnkd.in/g2YyiyBX #MarianiLandscape #GreenIndustry #LandscapeMaintenance #LandscapeIndustry #DynamicWomen #CSMagazine #Chicago #NorthShore #ModernLuxury #WomenInBusiness

Lakeside vibes this Labor Day weekend! Here is the perfect spot to kick back, relax, and soak up the last bit of summer with the crew. Hope you all have an epic Labor Day weekend! Let's make the most of it. #marianilandscape #landscapedesign #landscapearchitecture #landscapemaintenance #greenindustryprofessionals

Our founder and chairman, Frank Mariani, champions a transformative approach in the landscape industry by embodying the role of an "order maker," a term he parallels with being an effective client representative. Frank asserts, "If you're really good at being an order maker, you're really engaged with the client, and there's a relationship there, you’re going to do whatever it takes to meet their expectations." This philosophy centers on nurturing a deep connection with clients to protect and enhance their investments. Discover more about Frank’s strategies in an article from the National Association of Landscape Professionals The Edge Magazine, authored by Senior Content Manager Jill Odom. Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/x8K850SYM0n #Leadership #ClientEngagement #ClientService #MarianiLandscape #LandscapeIndustry #GreenIndustry

Frank Mariani always emphasizes, "We don't hire for a job; we hire for a career." The evidence lies in the 53 associates in the Mariani Quarter of a Century Club. Each year, we proudly celebrate the valuable contributions of these long-standing employees, recognizing their loyalty and commitment to our organization.

Yesterday, the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) focused on supporting emerging professionals through a specially curated event at the Chicago Roof Deck & Garden. The evening kicked off with a moderated panel aimed at inspiring and guiding new talents in the industry, followed by a relaxed networking session with food, drinks, and games. It was an invaluable opportunity for budding Landscape Architects to connect and grow. Photo 1: IL-ASLA Panelists (from left to right, Jenna Beck, Mariani's Director of Design Colleen Barkley, Sarah White, Alan Watkins, and Brad Swanson) Photo 2: Team Mariani (from left to right, Director of Design Colleen Barkley, Design Intern Caeley R., Landscape Designer Lauren M., Design Intern Mick R., and Landscape Designer Avery G.)

Ready to shape the future of landscapes? Engage with leading experts, including our Director of Design, Colleen Barkley, ASLA, at the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA)'s panel discussion. Perfect for emerging professionals! #LandscapeArchitecture #ASLA #ILASLA #greenindustry #landscapeprofessionals