ABOUT US

ABOUT HIDDEN CREEK LANDSCAPING

Establishment

Hidden Creek Landscaping Inc. was founded in 1998 by Matt Seiler and Jason Cromley. While taking classes together in Landscape Architecture at The Ohio State University, a mutual respect for hard work and creativity was discovered. With a shared vision on how projects should be installed and people should be treated, a business relationship was formed based on solid morals and friendship.

Due to our consistent dedication and innovative ideas in all aspects of landscaping, our company has been able to demonstrate impressive growth while maintaining personal relationships with our business contacts. Our goal is to be recognized amongst our peers and clients as the finest landscape design company in Central Ohio. With our educated staff, devotion to our clients and work, and our continuous growth, we are confident we will achieve our desired success.

MEET THE TEAM

Ownership

Jason Cromley

Owner
jc@2thecreek.com

Since co-founding Hidden Creek Landscaping in 1998, Jason has continually looked to the future with his goal of growing and expanding the business. He believes this comes directly from two critical drivers: the employees and the clients. Jason has been able to apply his positive attitude towards life and use that same mentality in exceeding the expectations of his ever-growing client base. He is more than confident that Hidden Creek Landscaping is on track to fulfill their mission statement of creating a higher quality of life for both our clients and our team.

With his formal education in construction, landscape design, and horticulture, Jason has been able to identify the essential components and the most effective methods required to create new and exciting outdoor enhancements, whether out of necessity or desire.

Jason began working in the green industry in 1991
Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Horticulture from The Ohio State University
Minor in Construction Management
One year of study was spent in the design studios of Landscape Architecture
President Elect Columbus Landscape Association
Board Member Ohio Landscape Association
Panel Judge For PLANET awards program

Matt Seiler

Owner
ms@2thecreek.com

Since co-founding Hidden Creek Landscaping in 1998, Matt has employed the philosophy that while landscaping happens to be our expertise, Client's are our business. With this philosophy, he has been able to create a team environment where we value our employees and clientele alike. By understanding the client's business and listening to their wants and needs, Matt has succeeded in creating individual maintenance programs that continually exceed our client's desires. Matt became a true student of nature and developed his strong work ethic early in life while growing up on a non-traditional farm in rural Ohio. Since then he strives every day to marry the natural and built landscape by implementing his personal and professional experiences along with his formal education.

Bachelors Degree in Landscape Horticulture from The Ohio State University
Minor in Construction Management
A year of his study was spent in the design studios of Landscape Architecture
Semester in England designing and installing a sustainable landscape

Leadership Team

Erin Daly

Chief Operating Officer
edaly@2thecreek.com

Erin joined the Hidden Creek Landscaping leadership team in 2022 as the chief operating officer. Her favorite activities are coaching, process improvement, and stuffing envelopes with cash to recognize employees for demonstrating Hidden Creek’s core values. She loves the opportunity to learn something new every day and is so proud to work with the amazing team at Hidden Creek.

Erin earned a Master of Business Operational Excellence degree and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business in 2018. Her happy place is still the lovely town of Athens, Ohio, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing) from Ohio University.

When not working, Erin loves being an Auntie to her three nieces, three nephews and her dog niece, Cali the cavapoo. She also enjoys playing tennis, pickleball, golf, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She is a big OSU buckeye football fan, loves visiting wine country, and someday would love to travel to Hawaii.

Ken Kuntze

Director of Operations
kk@2thecreek.com

Ken Joined Hidden Creek in the summer of 2019, as Operations Manager for Design Build Division bringing over 17 years’ experience in the Green Industry. Ken began his career working part time in sales for a nationwide lawn care company while going to college. He gradated from Youngstown State University with a Marketing Management Degree and soon began his management career. He held various management positions from Sales Manager, Customer Service Manager, to General Manager before joining Hidden Creek. In his spare time, he enjoys working in his own yard, playing with his puppy and watching sports.

Finance/Office Management/HR Team

Leslie Kiraly

Project and Improvements Officer
lkiraly@2thecreek.com

Leslie joined the Hidden Creek team in 2022 as projects and improvements officer, where she works hard on special projects and process improvements, as well as procedure development, coaching and mentoring. She enjoys having the ability to contribute to the overall functioning and growth of the company, as well as the creativity, talent, and heart of all who work at Hidden Creek. Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a life coaching certification, and a yoga and meditation certification. She has a passion for helping others realize their potential and succeed.

Leslie is a mother of four adult children and a three year old dog named Bubbles. She enjoys spending her free time traveling, hiking, and watching live music. She was raised by her father who was a corporate consultant and trainer. His success and personal charisma motivated her to follow in his footsteps with her own unique style and vision. Someday Leslie would love to travel to Greece.

Michelle Donovan

Accountant
mdonovan@2thecreek.com

Michelle is an accountant who enjoys working as a team with her coworkers to help Hidden Creek and Capital City Pools be successful. She helps process invoices, works with clients on questions, and ensures vendors are paid accurately and on time. She enjoys the friendly and hard working nature of the people she works with, as well as the job culture of working hard and having fun. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Northern Illinois University.

Michelle enjoys spending her free time with her daughter Malarie and their dog Bones and cat Buffy. She also enjoys watching movies, reading books, spending time with family and friends, and exploring all that Columbus has to offer. Someday she would love to take a sabbatical and travel all over Europe.

Adrianne Martin

Office Manager - Pool Division
adrianne@capitalcitypools.com

Adrianne has worked as the office manager at Capital City Pools since 2021 where she answers phones and manages the office. She enjoys meeting new people in the office, as well as the fast-paced and dynamic environment. Adrianne holds an associate degree in computer applications.

When not working, Adrianne enjoys spending time with her sons Corbin and Lucas, and her dog Theodore. She also enjoys taking adventures in her Jeep, fishing, hiking, camping and photography. Someday she hopes to see the Northern Lights.

Jennifer Walton

Office Manager
reception@2thecreek.com

Jennifer joined the Hidden Creek Landscaping team in 2022 as office manager, where she enjoys the variety in her job and the welcoming, team-oriented environment. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Ohio State University. She chose to go into the landscape industry after working for years in the culinary hospitality industry, most recently for a worldwide private aviation caterer.

When not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time hiking with her dog Madison, baking, playing tennis, and cheering for the Buckeyes and the Tampa Bay Lightning. When in high school, she developed a love for traveling from a trip to Israel and Jordan. She has traveled quite a bit over the years with Alaska as her favorite place in the US and Big Sur a close second. Ireland is next on the list of places she would like to visit. She lived in Tampa for ten years before recently moving back to Ohio to be closer to friends and family.

Meghan Cromley

Employee Activities Coordinator
mcromley@2thecreek.com

As employee activities coordinator since 2020, Meghan works to provide staff with birthday gift cards and candy, organizes all staff outings (including paintball, the summer picnic and Christmas party), and orders uniforms for field and office staff. She enjoys working with her boss (and husband and owner, Jason) as well as the family environment and staff’s common interest in making things beautiful. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She chose to bring her talents to Hidden Creek Landscaping because she enjoys taking care of others and making people feel appreciated for their hard work.

When not working, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family (including her husband Jason, son Will, daughter Mallory, and dogs Ollie and Oscar), and her friends. She also enjoys going to sporting events and traveling to new places, and someday hopes to travel all over the world.

Sales and Design Team

Nick Berger

Sales Manager Design Build
nbe@2thecreek.com

Nick joined Hidden Creek in July of 2019 after moving back to Ohio from Arizona where he and his wife Nicole lived for over 12 years. As a former business owner, designer and project manager in the Design Build industry, Nick’s experience in landscape design, pool/spa design, and customer service will be an exciting compliment to the Hidden Creek team.

Nick attended The University of Kentucky and obtained a degree in Landscape Architecture so his passion for creating intriguing outdoor spaces to enhance peoples’ lives has been long-lived. As a Wildcat fan, you’ll be sure to see him around the office wearing blue (all by himself) and styling one of his many hats that he’s sure to be wearing every day.

If Nick isn’t in the office designing or on a project site, you’ll find him dedicated to creating new memories with Nicole and his daughter Ainsley. He thoroughly enjoys landscape and Astro-photography as well as woodworking.

Craig Jones

Sales Manager Maintenance Division
cj@2thecreek.com

Craig joined Hidden Creek in September of 2017. With over 30 years of experience in the Landscape Profession, Craig brings an enormous amount of knowledge and experience to the Hidden Creek team. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a Horticulture degree, Craig’s goal is to incorporate that wisdom into each of his client’s properties. Exceptional customer service with fact based solutions are his top priorities. Craig is married to his high school sweetheart and has 4 beautiful children. His weekends are spent at Lake Erie where Craig has become a world class walleye fisherman. And that’s no fish story!

Jim Turner

Sales Manager Pool Division
jim@capitalcitypools.com

Bio Coming Soon

Monette Friedlander

Sales and Design
mfriedlander@2thecreek.com

Monette joined the Hidden Creek team in 2020 after running her own, independent landscape design firm for over 12 years. She has over 24 years’ experience in the green industry including; design/architecture, sales, retail, supplier & construction as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. Monette’s broad range of experience in the industry is fueled by her love of people, art, nature and travel. She has found the perfect niche as a designer and takes extreme joy and pride in every project she is lucky enough to work on.

Monette thrives working in a team setting, especially when the team is focused on reaching new heights and growing together. She has a deep history of playing on high performance sport teams as well as working with award winning landscape firms and suppliers. You will see this in the positive energy and fun atmosphere she brings to each of her projects.

In her free time, Monette enjoys spending time with family, friends and neighbors doing everything from traveling, hiking, playing with her husband and kids in any State Park imaginable, spending time with her beloved pets and finding ways to help preserve the historic nature of her downtown neighborhood.

Ryan Hyslop

Account Management
rhy@2thecreek.com

Ryan joined the Hidden Creek team in October of 2018 after moving to Ohio from Arizona bringing 10 years of turf and irrigation experience with him. He has a certificate in Golf Course Management from The Ohio State University. After starting out in golf, Ryan moved into sports fields and landed a job with the Chicago Cubs where he spent the last seven years of his career. Working in Major League Baseball groomed Ryan into being a very detail-oriented person who is focused on providing the highest quality work, taking on new challenges and pushing his skill set to new levels. Ryan also loves being outdoors, baseball, spending time with his wife and son and of course The Ohio State University!

Mark Stalzer

Account Management
mstalzer@2thecreek.com

Mark graduated from Ohio State and originally from the Cleveland area. He has a huge love for golf…he once played 113 rounds in 1 year and made a hole-in-one. Mark's other passion is fishing (salt/freshwater). His prize catch is blue marlin caught off Kona, Hawaii. Fun fact – Mark caught a foul ball on live TV at an Indian’s game.

Nick Paolini

Account Management
npaolini@2thecreek.com

Nick began at Hidden Creek Landscaping in the sales and account management department in 2023, having previously worked as the owner of Family Tree Landscaping, which he established in 2013. Nick chose to go into the landscaping business because of his passion for exceeding customers’ expectations, his attention to detail, and his love for being outdoors. He truly enjoys the entire process: from the initial in-person consultation with new clients, to the long-term relationship he builds with them. He is constantly striving for better ways to accomplish the job at hand and to ensure customer satisfaction. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University, and considers himself a life-long student and a self-taught business owner.

When not working, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and his two sons, Logan and Anthony. He also enjoys coaching his sons’ sports teams, reading, spending time with family, going camping and going on road trips. Someday he would love to own a house in Florida.

Marc Duff

Design
MDuff@2TheCreek.com

Marc joined the Hidden Creek design team in October of 2020. His first landscaping job was a summer internship with Hidden Creek in 2009 right after high school, where he learned about the construction side of residential and commercial projects as part of the company's construction crew. With this newfound passion, Marc went on to study Landscape Architecture at Purdue University, following his grandfather's legacy by graduating from the School of Agriculture there. He then went on to work for 5+ years in landscape architecture firms along the eastern and western coasts of Florida under the mentorship of designers such as Mario Nievera, Keith Williams, and Patrick Trefz. He has now worked in the industry for over 10 years performing design, construction, and horticultural research. Marc was born and raised on a family crop farm in Washington Court House, Ohio where his mother and father still operate today along with his older brother, Jason, who also owns his own carpentry business. Marc's favorite part about working in the design field is being able to visualize and illustrate projects for clients and making their dreams come to fruition right in front of their eyes. He is honored to work in a field with passionate people who strive to make the world a more beautiful place and believes that to be the most meaningful work he could ever do. He currently lives on his farm in Mount Sterling with his dog, Daddy.

Jeff Haussler

Design
jhaussler@2thecreek.com

Jeff spends his time performing site research and working on project design, permitting and construction documents. He decided to go into the industry because he loves the outdoors and finds it fulfilling to design spaces that help to get people outside. He enjoys working at Hidden Creek Landscaping because he has the freedom to use his creativity, and his coworkers really feel like family. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from The Ohio State University.

When not working, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Tiffany and their two dogs Stella and Millie. He also enjoys doing yard work at his home and playing the guitar. Jeff is a United States Army Veteran – he was a combat engineer and did one tour to Afghanistan. Someday he would love to travel to New Zealand.

Jennifer Schneller

Design
jschneller@2thecreek.com

Jen is a landscape designer who plays with plants, creates beautiful renderings and helps clients realize their landscape dreams. She enjoys working collaboratively with the design team at Hidden Creek. She feels that finding a good solution to a design problem is like completing a challenging puzzle – one that she gets to accomplish with plants and the natural environment. Jen is a registered landscape architect and holds an MSLA from The Ohio State University.

When not designing, Jen enjoys spending her time with her husband and cats. She also enjoys painting, reading, gardening, traveling, baking tasty things, taking photos of really tiny things, and going to the beach. Someday she hopes to travel to Europe.

Michael Crommes

Design
mike@capitalcitypools.com

Michael is a registered professional Landscape Architect in Ohio. As lead Designer & Project Manager for Capital City Pools, his responsibilities include zoning review, permit secural, construction inspections and project completion. He holds a Bachelor of Science of Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. His diverse background and experience include everything from theme parks to university master planning; U.S. military base planning to the Ohio Statehouse. Through collaboration with wonderful people, many of these past endeavors are design-winning projects and nationally recognized.

When not at the office, Michael enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors with his beautiful German Shepherd Dog, Ada Mae. Mike craves staying active, but knows when to relax and slow down to not miss the simple joys in life. You will find him gardening, skateboarding, disc golfing, volunteering, shooting hoops, bird watching, attending Yoga classes, cooking, dancing, at concerts and festivals. He also enjoys spending time at the pool and beach, movies, ice cream, cheering on the OSU Buckeyes and Astronomy.

Michael wishes you peace, love and light.

Letha Imler

Design
limler@2thecreek.com

Letha is a landscape designer that has worked for Hidden Creek Landscaping since 2022. She performs site research, submits permitting requests, and develops design concepts alongside other team members. She loves that she always has the opportunity to learn new things and enjoys the variety of her work since every project is unique and interesting. She also appreciates the great people she gets to work with and the collaborative work environment. Letha holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. She chose to go into landscape design because it is creative, attentive to detail, and always different. She enjoys creating outdoor spaces that people love and feel inspired in.

When not working, Letha can be found reading, exploring new places, walking through the park with a cup of coffee, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys photography and Swing dancing (Lindy hop is her favorite). Letha is originally from Circleville, the home of the famous Pumpkin Show. She loves traveling and someday would like to visit France.

Jerry Diodore

Operations Manager Pool Division
JDiodore@2thecreek.com

Jerry joined Hidden Creek in late 2020 officially but has really been a member of the team since handling the design and construction of the new HCL headquarters in 2015. Native to Indiana and a graduate of Purdue University, Jerry has been in Columbus since 1986. Top-level customer service coupled with 30 some years of construction expertise result in highly successful projects and happy clients. Married with three adult children, and two dogs he loves to backpack in the western states, ride bicycles, target shoot, and play golf when time allows.

Luke Gerken

Design Build Sales
lgerken@2thecreek.com

Luke joined the Hidden Creek Landscaping team in 2022 in the design build sales department, where he visits project sites, visualizes different design layouts and builds estimates for customers. He enjoys being able to build beautiful outdoor spaces, as well as collaborating with the design and sales teams. Luke holds a bachelor’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University with a minor in design. He chose to go into landscaping because he loves being outdoors and wanted to be a part of something that can enhance outdoor living spaces.

When not working, Luke enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Jess and his dog Cece, as well as playing golf and soccer, taking walks and traveling. Someday he would love to attend the Masters golf tournament.

Nora Kepes

Design Build Sales
nkepes@2thecreek.com

Nora works in design build sales to make her clients’ dreams a reality. She enjoys that no two days at Hidden Creek Landscaping are the same, and loves the process of selling and designing our projects. She enjoys the collaboration and openness of her team at Hidden Creek. She chose to go into the landscape industry after becoming a Master Gardener and wanting to combine her love of plants and nature with her interior design background. Nora holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Design.

When not working, Nora enjoys spending time with her dog Skye, walking in the woods, cooking, reading, and getting together with friends and family. Nora loves to travel and plans to continue to explore different cultures. Guilty pleasure: anything true crime related, documentaries, podcasts, feel free to chat her up! Nora aspires to have a positive happy balance in all aspects of life.

Operations Team

Miro Khabursky

Operations Management
mkh@2thecreek.com

Miro joined Hidden Creek in April 2020 in a Residential Sales/Production Manager role. An entrepreneur since the young age of 11, Miro had grown his business from a door-to-door neighborhood lawn boy to a full-service Design/Build company with the help of his older brother. In 2005 he attended Rochester Institute of Technology and completed a degree in Business Administration in May 2008. In 2010, Miro again graduated, this time with an MBA in Marketing and Economics, but the passion for the outdoors was in his veins. After 22 years of continual growth and diversification Miro went on to sell his company in upstate NY and move to Ohio. Being part of the Hidden Creek team has been a dream come true, an opportunity to work with the best clients, salespeople, designers, support staff and craftsman on a day to day basis.

Miro is passionate about the outdoors, family and community. When he is not at work you can find him volunteering with any number of causes. He enjoys spending the weekends with his family, traveling abroad, and drinking Coca-Cola.

Ryan Miller

Operations Management Maintenance Division
rmi@2thecreek.com

Ryan joined the Hidden Creek Team in January of 2018 upon graduation from The Ohio State University, where he studied Natural Resources Management and Soil Science. Ryan’s passion for the environmental and green industries began by having the opportunity to work on a prominent estate in his hometown and was further refined during college working for The Ohio State University Golf Club and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources within the Parks and Watercraft department. He also had the opportunity to intern in the state of Wyoming for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Ryan started with Hidden Creek as an Onsite Supervisor for a high-profile corporate campus before being promoted to management.

In his spare time Ryan enjoys traveling and exploring the world, having spent time in New Zealand, Iceland, and the Western United States. In addition, he enjoys being around the farm, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Tim Reeves

Project Management
tre@2thecreek.com

Tim joined Hidden Creek in fall of 2016 in the Design Build Division, adding more than 30 years experience to the company. Tim began his career at the age of 15, when he joined a landscape company on a mow crew and was promptly promoted to foreman. In fact, the company had to hire a crew member that could drive until Tim obtained his license. He studied landscape construction at Northeast Career Center in high school and attended Ohio State ATI in Wooster, OH, focusing on landscape and horticulture selected studies. Tim then took his talents to Texas, working on large commercial landscape install projects in multiple states. He decided to return to Ohio, where he continued to develop his skills at local and national landscape and irrigation firms before joining the Hidden Creek team. In his downtime, Tim loves to work in his yard, watch the Buckeyes, and take on carpentry projects.

Doug Fortkamp

Project Management
df@2thecreek.com

Doug joined the Hidden Creek team in the summer of 2015, capitalizing on 10 plus years of experience in the landscape industry. Doug’s first career was in the restaurant industry, working his way into chef positions, but after 12 years, he decided to change gears and revisit his first career aspiration, which was Landscape Architecture. He attended The Ohio State University, but decided to jump directly into the green industry whole heartedly, taking a position at a local landscape company. Doug has managed a wide variety of projects, from small scale residential mulching to large scale public works. Having an eye for detail and ability to effectively communicate are two of his greatest assets. In his downtime, he enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.

Ron Malloy

Irrigation Management
rm@2thecreek.com

Ron has 16 years’ experience in the green industry, and he has worked on and/or managed jobs from residential, to large scale commercial, and government projects of all natures. For the past nine years, his primary focus has been related to irrigation systems, working directly and indirectly with HCL for several of those. He is extremely professional and detail oriented with all of his project ventures and client relations. Ron thrives on using Water Smart Technology and High Efficiency Irrigation systems to provide the highest quality product to the customer.

Two years in Landscaping and Turfgrass Management at Apollo Career Center
Columbus State Community College Associates Degree in Landscape Design/Build and completed two years in their Auto Technology program.

Milan Mihajlovski

Project Manager
mmihajlovski@2thecreek.com

Milan works as production manager at Hidden Creek Landscaping, where he focuses on quality control, coordination and team work. He loves being able to work outdoors and to help make landscaping look great. He enjoys that everyone shares the same vision and dedication to landscaping, as well as the work life balance at Hidden Creek. Milan has 12 years of experience in landscaping and also hold a pesticide applicator license.

When not working, Milan enjoys spending his time fishing, hunting, and riding motocross. He grew up in the green industry, as his dad has been in it for over 25 years. He loves everything about landscaping and being outdoors. Someday he would love to go sky diving.

Brandon Rodriguez

Project Manager
brodriguez@2thecreek.com

As a design build project manager, Brandon performs job site walk throughs and problem solving on different issues that may arise. He enjoys managing projects and being able to see a project through from start to completion. He also enjoys working with different people from different backgrounds, and the openness and welcoming environment at Hidden Creek Landscaping. Brandon is a formally licensed C-27 landscape contractor in California. He chose to go into the landscape industry because he’s always been passionate about building things, especially landscaping, and he loves watching his customers’ reaction when they see the finished product.

When not working, Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife Courtney and his family and friends, smoking cigars and wine tasting. He considers himself a sci-fi nerd and enjoys reading or listening to sci-fi books while working on home projects. Someday he would love to own and build his own custom home and landscape. He also hopes to be a father someday. Brandon loves his Chevys and the Raiders (regardless of their losses!).