Behind The Flowers
Mike Szabronski
My name is Michael Szabronski and I am the co-owner and President of Professional Gardeners, Inc. My passion for the green industry began at a very early age. My first summer job in high school was working for Sorrentino Landscaping in Belfast, Maine, where the owner took me under his wing and taught me enough to get me hooked on this industry for life! I studied Landscape Architecture at Virginia Tech and then attended the University of Maine where I graduated with a B.S. in Horticulture with a focus on design.
As an owner of Professional Gardeners, I am required to wear many different hats to keep the company running smoothly. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful team of employees who help to reduce my role in daily operations and allow me to focus on the aspects of the business I am most passionate about. My focus and passion is in the design and construction of new gardens and garden renovations. I enjoy the process of working with clients to bring their thoughts and ideas to life in the garden and outdoor living spaces.
Once a garden is completed, I am also very interested in the fine pruning and maintenance work that bridges the gap between what the garden looks like today and what the garden will look like years from now.
On the personal side of life, I have a wonderful family made up of my lovely wife, 2 adult children, and was blessed in 2021 with my first grandchild! Aside from gardening, my other passions are traveling, fishing, snowmobiling, and curling, all while surrounded by good friends, good food, and good music!
Andy Lillycrop
My name is Andy Lillycrop.
I am Co-Owner and Vice President of the mighty Professional Gardeners Inc.
I have a BS in Horticulture from Texas A&M University, and am a Certified Professional Horticulturist.
In 1996 Mike and I began our quest to work in amazing gardens, and it has been fulfilling and rewarding through all of the years.
What I enjoy the most is being surrounded by beauty, and that there is always something new to learn and try.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and when everything aligns the right way, getting out on my motorcycle.
Amy Szabronski
My name is Amy Szabronski and I have been a part of the Professional Gardeners team since 2006. My first position with the company was the Office Assistant, helping to manage the day to day operations. Today, my responsibilities have evolved into managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and all things HR. I love my job and how Mike and Andy have allowed me to grow my position into what it is today.
When I am not in the office, I enjoy traveling with my husband. We have been to 16 countries and hope to explore many more. I also love spending time with my children, ten month old granddaughter, and two granddogs.
Jennifer Ramsey
My name is Jennifer Ramsey and I am a Head Gardener at Professional Gardeners. My responsibilities as a Head Gardener are to coordinate with property managers, contractors, and homeowners to insure the annual rotations and design, pruning, weeding, irrigation maintenance, and IPM meet the clients standards throughout the year. Along with the dog, cat, and occasional horse petting requirements.
I have a B.S. in Horticulture from WVU (2003). I spent 2 years working at the WVU greenhouses where I maintained and studied lab plants, while also growing annuals, vegetables, and Poinsettias from seed and plugs for retail sale. After graduation, I moved to Maryland where I worked 2 years at a wholesale landscape company selling shrubs and trees to contractors. From seed to sales, I finally found my home at Professional Gardeners March of 2006.
In addition to being a Professional Gardener, I am also married with two sons. I scheme evil plots with my cat, love all things spooky and wierd, and also garden in my free time.
Rebecca McDonell
My name is Rebecca McDonell and I joined the Professional Gardeners team in 2012 as a Head Gardener. Before that, I worked at a greenhouse for over 11 years. I started learning about landscaping in a Horticulture program in high school and continued studying Horticulture at Delaware Valley College where I earned my Bachelor's degree.
My interests and hobbies are hiking, bike riding, canoeing, embroidery, and playing with my cats.
Krysten Szabronski
My name is Krysten. I was hired at PG 10 years ago as an Assistant Gardener and have since become a Head Gardener. My job is to design, maintain, and manage the gardens above and beyond the clients expectations.
As a new mom, I have very little free time to do anything other than laundry. However, I have enjoyed getting back into fitness and learning how to weight train correctly.
Josephine Moore
Hello! My name is Josephine and I am a head gardener for Professional Gardeners. As part of my job I manage client’s gardens ensuring that the vision for their outdoor space is achieved.
I am currently pursuing a degree in sustainable horticulture. Through my education, I have learned about how to be mindful and incorporate more sustainable practices in my gardens. I am also on the path to earn my Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional certification, adding to my knowledge on sustainable practices that help to benefit the bay and surrounding ecosystem.
In my free time I enjoy any and all outdoor activities and finding great food!
Ben Luman
Hello there! My name is Ben Luman and I’m a head gardener at PG. I came on in March of 2022. I love that I have a job that allows me to be outside all day and be creative. I’m currently pursuing a B.S. for Environmental Science at Unity College. When I’m not working with plants I’ll usually be cooking, hiking, listening to music, or learning new things.
Crystal Heintzelman
Howdy! I'm Crystal Lynn Heintzelman and am happy to be a part of the PG crew as a gardener. I played in my family's garden often while growing up until I eventually became somewhat helpful enough to be put to work. I received a B.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Human Ecology while teaching nature based education at Irvine Nature Center. in 2018 I completed the Maryland Master Naturalist program. I was granted the University of Baltimore Outstanding Student Merit Award in 2019 for my gpa and super cool capstone project. I am currently gearing up to further my studies in the environmental sciences in hopes of joining the ecological restoration field.
When I'm not getting paid to work with plants, I like to work with plants (copyright Ben Luman). I enjoy studying native species and am working on a map of rare and endangered orchids in Maryland. I'm usually outside either paddling up a river, climbing down a mountain, or taking long walks on the beach in my free time. I have a cat named Willow who puts up with me for the most part.
Jaxon Frasier
Hello. My name is Jaxon Frasier. I started with PG in February 2023. I am currently studying Sustainable Horticulture and hold a B.S. in Sport Marketing from Towson University. Being raised on a farm, working with nature has always been part of my life. When I’m not tending to gardens at work, I enjoy working on my own vegetable garden and running and hiking with my dogs.
Saige McLeod
My name is Saige McLeod and I am a Head Gardener under Professional Gardeners. I love discovering native species of plants and reintroducing them to the environment. I love animation, listening to music, and trying new foods! When I’m not at work, I like taking hikes, eating different cuisines, and hanging out with my cats, Haru and Boo.