Meet Our Team


Walters Gardens began as a small, family run 5-acre farm growing perennials for local suppliers. It has since grown to 1,500 acres and over 500,000 square feet of greenhouses. Still family owned, we haven’t lost sight of our (bare) roots or the values that made this company what it is. Our commitment to a high quality product and genetics have led to an expansive collection of plant introductions, lasting relationships with our customers, and a close relationship with Proven Winners® as the exclusive home of Proven Winners® Perennials.

Much of our success can be attributed to the employees who have spent countless years working for Walters Gardens and whose contributions have helped to move our company forward.


Executive Team

Karin Walters
Chief Executive Officer

Ryan Hop
Chief Operating Officer

Christa Steenwyk
Vice President of Sales & Marketing


Sales, Customer Care, Marketing, & Accounting

Josh Roggenbuck
Regional Product Manager

IL, IN, MI, OH, KY, WV

Laura Robles
Regional Product Manager

CT, DE, NH, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

Matt Pielin
Regional Product Manager

AK, AR, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MO, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY

Cayla Olson
Regional Product Manager

IA, MN, ND, NE, SD, WI

Laura Wagner
National Account Manager

Angie Clelan
Regional Product Manager

AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA

Heather Verdoorn
Customer Care Lead

Andrew Jager
Marketing Manager

Staci Cain
Credit Manager


Research and Development

Hans Hansen
Director of New Plant Development


Human Resources

Dianne Cote
Human Resource Manager


IT

Kevin Hau
IT Manager

Gregg Sal
Business Analyst

Joe Dubois
Systems Developer

Brian Kolacz
IT Technician

Eric Klomp
IT Support Specialist


Growing & Production

Drew Koschmann
Head Grower

Emily McKay
Senior Lead Grower & IPM Manager

Bella Violante
Lead Grower

Eric Heavilin
Lead Grower

Jessie Carle
Trials Manager

Aren Phillips
Greenhouse Systems Manager

Chris Meyer
Greenhouse Production Coordinator

Kevin Walters
Seed Department Manager

Greg Nichols
Crop and Fertility Manager

Del Walters
Field Operations Manager

Vicente Garcia
Pre-Pack Coordinator

Chad Meyer
Bare Root Planning Coordinator

Karan Bond
Tissue Culture Lab Manager


Inventory & Supply

Sue Lichaz
URC Supply Manager

Mark Vander Wal
Inventory Manager

Chad Walters
Inventory Manager

Craig Meyer
Inventory Manager

Cindy Reimink
Stock Supply Manager

Rebecca Tucker
Production Stock Manager


Royalties & Licensing

Clarence H. Falstad, III
Royalty Administrator


Maintenance &Logistics

Justin Dyk
Maintenance Supervisor

Jim Bakker
Irrigation Specialist

Jim Losey
Logistics Manager