Home | The Firm

45

For Over 45 Years

LaurelRock has built its reputation on creating and maintaining landscapes with expertise and professionalism.

Award-Winning. Community Focused. Personalized.

Our Roots

1975

Dickson DeMarche, former CEO of LaurelRock, founded Dickson DeMarche Landscape Architects (DDLA) in Westport, Connecticut, to provide land planning and site design services for residential, commercial and municipal clients.

1984

Motivated by a desire to consistently produce higher quality projects and taking advantage of the firm’s many years of experience in site construction, DDLA added a construction management division. By the late 1980’s, DDLA was well established as one of the leading landscape architecture firms in Fairfield County.

1993

With a mission to become the premier provider of residential landscape design and construction services, Dickson and his son, Burt DeMarche, current President, founded LaurelRock. Carried forward by DDLA’s strong reputation, Burt and Dickson increased the firm’s offerings and grew LaurelRock to where it is today—an award-winning, full service residential landscape Design/Build and Property Management firm. On the eve of its 35th year in business, in 2009 LaurelRock emerged as a leader in Fairfield County’s growing sustainable Design/Build movement. Deeply committed to preserving the environment and protecting the area’s natural resources, the firm launched a series of educational seminars designed to help residential architects bridge the gap between homeowners and sustainable Design/Build best practices, inside and outside the home.

Today

With offices in Wilton, Connecticut, LaurelRock serves a core market area of Fairfield, Litchfield, and Westchester Counties. The company’s award-winning Design/Build Division has received over twenty state and national recognitions for its high quality residential design and construction services. The firm’s Property Management Division has received numerous national awards for excellence in residential maintenance and employee and fleet safety.

Today, with over 50 dedicated professionals on staff, LaurelRock demonstrates a commitment to excellence and leadership within the industry. With more than 1,000 designs to its credit and hundreds of satisfied maintenance clients, LaurelRock has earned its reputation as one of the area’s premier landscape companies.

Leadership

Burton DeMarche, LIC, LEED AP

President

With a strong background in horticulture and business management, a dedication to superior client service, and a commitment to sustainability, Burt has been instrumental in leading LaurelRock to its prominent position in the field of Landscape Design/Build and Property Maintenance over the past 30 years.

Peter Kehoe

Vice President Operations

An expert in turf and plant health care, as well as a skilled production manager, Peter is highly regarded among clients for his proactive approach to managing landscape crews and delivering excellent customer service.

Chris Lenzen

Controller

With over a decade of experience in accounting and finance, Chris is a seasoned Accountant dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence.
Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairfield University. His expertise spans a wide range of financial areas, including tax planning and preparation, financial analysis, budgeting, and auditing.

The Team

Landscape Management / Enhancements / Tree

Kevin Havey

Garden & Property Manager

A proud, lifelong Bethel resident, Kevin Havey has over 20 years of landscape experience in Connecticut.

Chris Powers

Garden & Property Manager

Garden & Property Manager Chris Powers is an accomplished account manager offering 15 years of landscaping experience that spans the east and west coast.

Peggy Garbus

Garden & Property Manager

Peggy’s professional garden nursery experience developed at Terrain, in Westport, CT where she combined her strong customer care skills and plant knowledge, delivering a superior customer experience in an atmosphere where nature is a guiding influence.

David Gindek

Garden & Property Manager / Designer

David is a seasoned professional in the field of landscape horticulture, boasting over four decades of experience. His journey began at Virginia Tech, where he earned his degree in Landscape Horticulture in 1982.

Wilton Franco

Weekly Maintenance Field Supervisor

Since 2010, Wilton has held a leadership position with LaurelRock’s Weekly Maintenance Team, providing clients with a variety of essential landscape services, from mowing, edging and seasonal clean-up to planting, pruning, seeding and drainage.

Santiago Ramirez

Fine Gardening Field Supervisor

Santiago has been an invaluable member of the Laurelrock team for 13 years, making his mark from the ground up. Starting as a crew member, his dedication and skill quickly propelled him into the role of Crew Leader, where he has consistently delivered exceptional results.

Timothy Wells

Enhancements & Tree Operations Manager

Tim is a professional horticulturist with a diverse background in plant health care and fine gardening.

Design/Build

Don Kuhn

Design/Build Project Manager

Don joins our team at LaurelRock with over thirty years of experience in the green industry and the hospitality sector. He has a diversified background with a wealth of experience in project management developed from owning and operating his own design/build company that also included a tree division.

John Zupko

Construction Operations Manager

With 30 years of hands-on experience in landscaping coupled with a degree in landscape architecture, John is a seasoned professional in transforming outdoor spaces. His expertise lies in merging creative design concepts with practical implementation, shaping environments that seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality.

Chris Aber

Fleet and Facilities Manager

Chris joined LaurelRock with over 6 years of experience in landscape and construction work. His knowledge of mechanics and heavy equipment operation allows him to provide excellent support to our production team.

Administration & Finance

Kim Kawachi

Contract Administrator & Production Coordinator

Kim's background and experience is very well rounded in this industry with a focus on admin.

Anastasia DeMarche

Contract Administrator & Client Relations

Anastasia has lifetime of experience in the landscape industry having grown up with the family business, she has a solid understanding of all aspects of the LaurelRock business.

Autumn Furnari

Office Administrator

View Our Careers

“

The cutting garden looks magnificent! I have been cutting 25-40 tulips a day for the house and to give to friends and you can't even tell! I know that your team was here over several days in a week, putting down sweet peat, pruning, clipping and tidying up. Our property has never looked better, and we are so grateful to you and your team for all of your hard work and attention to detail! Thank you!
ResidentGreenwich, CT

“

The yard looks great with the edging and new mulch.
ResidentWestport, CT

“

We are so happy with LaurelRock. You really are the best. We have referred you to many friends, and they have all appreciated your work.
ResidentWestport, CT

“

Thank you for all your creativity, hard work, and responsiveness on our landscaping project … We have enjoyed our relationship with each of you and with your company.
ResidentRidgefield, CT

“

We so appreciate your hard work, cheerful presence and the beautiful work you do.
ResidentFairfield, CT

“

It is a pleasure to do business with someone who is so pleasant and knowledgeable.
ResidentNewtown, CT

“

Your crew is great! They are polite, respectful and do top notch work. We appreciate their fine work and dedication to the maintenance of this property.
ResidentGreenfield Hill, CT