our work team

managing staff

Our team of managers work together to deliver a comprehensive plan of landscape services. When you become a Groundworks customer you gain access to all of our knowledge and experiences..

testimonials

“ The gardeners did a beautiful job! I'm very pleased. Right now, I'm sitting in the patio enjoying my waterfall. Special thanks to Kenny, Alfonzo, and crew for replacing the old pump and installing the new one.
I love it!!. ”

Virginia

 

company history

Groundworks Landscape was established in 1991 as a partnership between Roy Nakao and son Rick Nakao together they focused on building the company as a professional commercial landscape and grounds maintenance company....

 

managing staff

Groundworks unique advantage lies in our ability to merge the old school Japanese American Gardener's and Landscapers' knowledge and values with modern techniques and technologies. Whether creating sustainable, drought tolerant landscapes or pruning bonsai like "niwaki" trained Japanese black pine trees, we have the ability to service your landscape needs.


  • Ken Nagao

    licensed C-27 in 1994, brings years of expert knowledge in the maintenance of residential, multi-unit complexes and estate properties. He has provided award winning care to matchbox sized patio gardens, multi-acre private estates and HOA sites as large as 77 acres.


  • Rick Nakao

    licensed C-27 in 1999, brings years of expert knowledge in the procurement of government and municipal contracting. As the other founder of the company, Rick has successfully completed multi-million dollar maintenace contracts for the Department of Defense as well as hundreds of other industrial and commercial clients.


  • Ken Kono

    licensed C-27 in 1987, brings decades of expert knowledge in the design, installation and maintenance of Japanese Style Gardens as our Operations Manager. Kenny is resposible for the expert care the maintenance division performs.


  • Martin J. van Zeyl

    licensed C-27 in 1978, brings decades of tree care, landscape installation and maintenance knowledge as our Tree Care division manager. A Certified Arborist and licensed pesticide applicator who personally supervises our tree crew in performing expert tree care while providing extraordinary care of your property and garden.


  • Michelle "Mimi" Lujan

    brings years of plant knowledge starting as a salesperson for Sunrise Growers in Long Beach, CA. She later worked in sales for Altmans Plants and Coast Nurseries servicing The Home Depot and Target. Coming to Groundworks in 2007 as our planting consultant and customer service representative. Mimi loves to incorporate beautiful plants into our client's gardens.


  • Roy Nakao

    licensed C-27 in 1972 brings decades of landscape design, installation and maintenance knowledge as our senior advisor and original founder of the company. Roy oversees commercial and industrial maintenance on a part time basis.


  • Richard Emery

    licensed C-27, Richard began his career building and servicing koi and fish ponds with Marina Water Gardens for seven years. Later he worked as a project manager for CLCA award winning Statice Landscape building custom landscapes in Brentwood, Bel Air and north Santa Monica. Richard is now our Custom Landscape Design and Construction manager. Richard has received numerous CLCA awards and specializes in custom hardscape design, engineering and building. If you can imagine it, Richard is the one that can build it.


  • Dennis Yamashiro

    licensed C-27, Dennis grew up gardening and landscaping in his family's CLCA award winning business, Haruo Yamashiro Landscaping. Dennis then went to work for the nation's largest irrigation supplier, Ewing Irrigation Products and southern California based Aqua Flo Supply for a combined eight years. Besides his extensive landscape and maintenance knowledge, Dennis brings his expertise in the fields of drip irrigation as well as landscape lighting.