In high school my goal was to be an architect. After graduating, I enrolled at East Los Angeles College and was planning to transfer to Cal Poly SLO after 2 years. But, like many fellow landscape architects, my abilities in higher math were lacking. I found out about landscape architecture and transferred to Cal Poly Pomona. I graduated in 1969 and got a great job at Linesch & Reynolds in Long Beach. I had an interest in experiencing different offices, so in the decade of the 1970’s I also worked at POD, Inc., at Takahashi & Takahashi, and then back to work with Reynolds Environmental Group for another 3 years.
In 1979 I decided to start my own firm. In the mid 1980’s I began doing projects for a merchant builder who became a consistent source of work. That builder was purchased by Centex Homes, and the relationship continued for over two decades. After practicing as a sole proprietor for 20 years, I teamed with Art Guy and Craig Thibault to form a corporation in 1998. Two years later, Craig left and was replaced by Paul Bettenhausen. Our firm grew steadily to a staff of nearly 20. We completed our Avalon Waterfront project in the late 1990’s, and then we received the San Clemente Beach Trail project. Our public sector work continued to expand and now is about 50% of our work at BGB. I have been fortunate to work with talented and dedicated staff and partners over the 20 + years since we began, and am grateful to all of them. I have also collaborated with my colleague Ann Christoph, FASLA, on many projects over the years, most recently the Landscape Element of the Laguna Beach General Plan.
I have also been interested in environmental preservation, especially creeks and waterways. We have just completed a restoration of a portion of Laguna Canyon Creek, funded by the State of California. In 2016 I was honored to receive the first “Public Stewardship Award” by ASLA / SCC. I’m still working part-time at BGB and enjoy a career that continues to provide satisfaction and enjoyment.
