MEET OUR FANTASTIC PEOPLE
Quinn Piala
President
Landscape Architect
Quinn prepared himself for working in the design/build part of Piala’s Nursery by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the Ohio State University, one of the most rigorous in the country. While in school, Quinn frequently flew home on weekends to work with his clients. Since he graduated in 2004, Quinn has won multiple awards in 2005 and 2006. Quinn is very capable in all aspects of landscape architecture, from locating a home or business to best advantage on a property and establishing a proper grading plan, to selecting and installing trees, shrubs, evergreens and flowers, when the building is completed. Quinn is a licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Wisconsin.
Amanda Piala
Vice President
Landscape Architect
Amanda has been with Piala’s since 2004, when she began her internship as a designer. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, she joined the design team full time and helped the company grow. Her passion for the visual arts and the outdoors are her inspiration, and her career has allowed her to pursue both. When she is not designing, Amanda enjoys traveling, outdoor sports, kayaking, fishing, all aspects of design, and extreme Wisconsin Badger pride. Amanda is a licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Wisconsin.
Paul
Construction Manager
Landscape Designer
Paul joined Piala’s Design Build team in December 2012. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture, Paul moved to Colorado’s Vail Valley for 5 years to pursue a career in landscape architecture with an award winning firm that concentrates on custom residential landscape design. Paul is excited to join the Piala’s team and get back to his Wisconsin roots. When he’s not designing spectacular outdoor spaces, Paul enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, biking, skiing and traveling.
Tom
Maintenance Technician
Dr. Tom Honeyager has been affiliated with Piala’s Nursery for nearly 20 years. He holds his Masters in Botany, as well as his PhD in Biogeography, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tom has been an avid gardener all his life and his interests and personal gardening pursuits range from ornamental to edible. Always changing and evolving, his own horticultural experiments have been referred to as a ‘garden on wheels’.
Miguel
Landscape Foreman
Miguel began working at Piala’s Nursery over 30 years ago. He worked his way up to Landscape Crew Foreman and has managed work ranging from planting a single tree to completing extensive landscape projects. Over the years, he has worked at thousands of homes and businesses from Madison, WI to Lake Michigan, Port Washington, WI to Lombard, IL. Since coming to Piala’s Nursery, Miguel has married, has two beautiful children, a home, and rental properties in Waukesha.
Leo
Nursery Foreman
Leo has been with Piala’s Nursery well over 20 years. He is a Landscape Crew Foreman working mainly around the nursery. He is in charge of delivery and planting of trees and other plants, which are not necessarily part of landscape projects. Since coming to Piala’s Nursery, Leo has married, has two great children (one of them, Lucy, has recently earned a college scholarship!) and has a home in Waukesha.
Gama
Landscape Foreman
Gama has been with Piala’s Nursery for nearly ten years, and has worked his way up to the position of Landscape Foreman. He lives in Waukesha with his wife and two children. Gama leads a variety of projects, including both hard and softscape construction.
Nancy
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Nancy became a member of Piala’s administrative support staff in fall of 2010. She graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and an emphasis in Management Information Systems. During her career, Nancy has focused on helping small businesses and nonprofits utilize technology to run their business offices more effectively and efficiently. At Piala’s she works closely with Cathy to ensure that all aspects of the business are in order. Her attention to detail and problem solving skills have made her a valuable member of the team.
Kimberly
Landscape Production Coordinator
Kimberly joined our team in 2014. She brought with her over 10 years of experience and a BS Degree in Horticulture with a minor in business. Kimberly has worked for many nurseries from Kansas City to Peoria, to Detroit and Omaha before moving to Wisconsin. Her love of nature started young with many fond memories of selling plants and produce at the local farmer’s market. When Kimberly is not busy at work, she enjoys baking, quilling, macro photography, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Jim and Cathy Piala
Founders
Jim & Cathy Piala first opened the doors at Piala’s Nursery & Garden Shop, Inc. in April of 1978. Prior to opening the business, Jim had received a BS degree from Loyola University in Chicago, along with a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. During high school and college Jim worked for multiple nurseries and garden shops in Illinois. After a stint with the Army’s 8th Special Forces in Central America and leaving the Army as a Captain, Jim worked for four and a half years at a consulting firm, and then worked in Environmental Studies with Wisconsin Electric. Jim and Cathy wanted to share their mutual enjoyment of the outdoors and a desire to enhance the environment. They were very proud to hand over the reigns to their son and daughter-in-law, as their business moved into its second generation of family ownership.
