Educated and Accredited Staff
We have the most accredited staff of any landscape company in British Columbia. Each of our crew leaders are educated in their field and all hold industry accreditation. Most have at least a Landscape Diploma with other specialty designations that include:
- Certified Irrigation Technician
- Certified Arborist
- Certified Landscape Technician with one of the following specialties: Ornamental Maintenance, Turf Maintenance, Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation
- ICPI Certified Paving Stone Installer
- Certified Allen Block Installer
- Ecological Landscape Designers
- Organic Master Gardeners
- Certified Landscape Designers
- Certified Landscape Managers
Our people
Jeff Foley - President & CEO
Jeff leads the management of our company. In addition to being a Red Seal Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist and having a Residential Landscaping Diploma, he is also an ISA Certified Arborist, a Certified Landscape Manager, and a Certified Landscape Technician. Jeff is an industry leader who is currently serving as a Director on the board of the Canadian Landscape Nursery Association and Jane Stock Foundation. He is Past Chair of the BC Landscape and Nursery Association and a former member the National Association of Landscape Professional’s International Certification Council. In 2012, Jeff won the BC Landscape and Nursery Association Young Member of the Year award.Jennifer Portsmouth - Executive Vice President
Jen started with us in 1998. In addition to having a Residential Landscaping Diploma, she is also a Certified Landscape Manager, a Certified Landscape Technician, and a Certified Irrigation Technician. Her responsibilities include overseeing operations and playing an integral role in the human resource management of our company. She developed and oversees both our On the Job Training and Mentorship Programs which are both critical to the success of our overall operation. In her spare time (Jen’s always working), she organizes our popular staff and community outreach events.Chris Young - Senior Manager
Chris has been a key member of our staff since 1991. Today he manages a significant portfolio of Landscape Maintenance contracts. He came to our operation with a Bachelor of Science degree and has since become an ISA Certified Arborist as well as a Certified Landscape Technician and a Red Seal Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist. Chris is a diligent, hardworking professional who is very well respected throughout our industry.Cinzia Di Blasio - Senior Manager
Cinzia started at Para Space in 2005 and for many years she led both Maintenance and Softscape installation crews. Cinzia now spends her time managing Landscape Maintenance and specialized crews. She has achieved a Diploma in Residential Landscaping, become a Red Seal Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist, a Certified Landscape Technician and a Certified Landscape Manager.Cody Zahradnik – Senior Manager
Cody started with Para Space in 2012. In his time with us he has amassed an impressive amount of experience and credentials. Cody is a Certified Landscape Manager, a Certified Arborist and has a Landscape Diploma. He is Landscape Industry Certified specializing in Ornamental Maintenance and Softscape Installation. One might say he was destined to enter the landscape industry as his last name means ‘Gardener’ or ‘Horticulturist’ in Czech. Cody manages the landscape maintenance on a diverse group of properties. Being an arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, he also consults with our clients on their tree needs. Cody also currently serves as the landscaping representative on his own strata council.
Campbell Whitehead - Landscape Services Manager
Campbell started here in 1992 and manages our award winning Landscape Construction/Installation division. He is a Certified Landscape Technician, Ecological Landscape Designer, Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Certified Installer, and a Certified Allan Block Installer. Under Campbell’s guidance, our Landscape Design and Installation division has reached new levels of sophistication. His innovative designs and incredible worksite know-how keeps our company on the cutting edge of landscape installation and renovation.Kevin Carlson - Landscape Maintenance Manager
Kevin has been a member of the Para Space team since 2000. In his time here he has worked in all of our divisions and has accumulated a significant number of accreditations including a Diploma in Residential Landscaping and Certificate in Ecological Landscape Design. He is also a Red Seal Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist, Certified Landscape Technician, and Certified Irrigation Technician. Kevin, who is a favorite of our clients, manages an important Landscape Maintenance portfolio.
Jensen Villanueva – Landscape Maintenance Manger
Jensen manages a significant portfolio of Landscape Maintenance contracts. He is a Certified Landscape Manager, a Certified Landscape Technician, a Certified Ministry of Environment Landscape Integrated Pest Management Applicator and has a Diploma in Residential Landscaping. Jensen joined our team in 2012 and came to us with previous management experience.
Hayley Chan - Plant Health Care Manager
As our Plant Health Care (PHC) Manager, Hayley impresses clients with her knowledge of IPM and she sparks interest in plant pests and pathogens in those around her. Hayley is a Certified Landscape Manager, Certified Lawn Care Technician, Landscape IPM Certified Pesticide Applicator and has a Diploma in Residential Landscaping.
Sarah Underwood - Landscape Maintenance Manager
Sarah joined our team in the summer of 2013 having no prior experience in our industry. She was immediately drawn to horticulture and the gratification that came along with making landscapes look their best. Sarah is a Certified Landscape Technician and has a Residential Landscaping diploma.
Jessica Luglio - Landscape Maintenance Manager
Jessica has a Master of Science in Environmental Biology and a Residential Landscape Technician Diploma. She joined our team in 2018, and with her background in customer service, she has a great ability to connect with clients and go above and beyond to leave everyone satisfied with our services.
Emerson Dico-Jekot - Landscape Designer
Emerson graduated from Colorado State University in Environmental Horticulture with a concentration in Landscape Design. He worked as a seasonal staffer at a local Denver greenhouse and nursery and also completed an internship program in Portland, Oregon where he had the chance to work on and maintain the Nike World Headquarters.
Shelley Nyhan - Landscape Maintenance Manager
Shelley joined our team in 2018. Having a Masters in Science, she quickly found a passion for our industry and furthered her education getting both an RLT diploma and CLHT certification. Shelley loves educating our team and clients on the best practices in horticulture.
Katie Bush - Irrigation and Safety Coordinator
Katie joined Para Space with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology as well as a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Her knowledge in this area is invaluable in coordinating our safety program. Katie is also a Certified Irrigation Technician and Certified Landscape Technician and she helps coordinate all aspects of the Irrigation Division.
Safiya Popatia – Human Resources Manager
Safiya joined our team with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and management experience in the hospitality industry. Therefore, she understands the importance of people in a service focused organization. At Para Space she is involved with the recruitment, performance management, training and development of our world class team of landscape horticulturists. She also oversees our safety program which goes above and beyond by achieving COR status with WorkSafe BC.
Samantha Thorbes-Curry - Personnel Development Manager
Samantha joined our team in 2013 and very quickly showed her skills in our Landscape Maintenance division. Her passion for making the landscape a beautiful place for residents to enjoy, as well as providing excellent customer service, has always been her goal. More recently, Samantha has shifted her focus from managing landscapes to career development within our company. Samantha is a Certified Landscape Technician and has a Residential Landscaping diploma.Adam Taylor – Administration and Logistics Manager
Adam came to Para Space with a Diploma of Technology and a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management. He manages our Administrative Team and works closely with our Executive Team on advancing our company through innovation. While going to school, Adam worked for many years as a greenkeeper at a private golf course. This related experience has proven to be very valuable in his role with us.
Catherine Deacon - Marketing Coordinator
After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Catherine moved to Scotland gaining work experience in her field of study. She joined our team in 2008 when she returned back to Canada. Her creativity and eye for design has been a valuable asset to our operations and vision for the future as we continue to grow our business.
Peter founded Para Space Landscaping on August 1, 1979. He has guided the company from a small start up to one of the biggest and best landscape contracting businesses in Canada. He has always worked long and hard at chasing perfection both in business and horticulture. He remains involved in all aspects of our operation but as you have seen above, he has some outstanding help.