Meet all our experts that lead the company and the employees, while also excelling at customer service.
Fun Fact: Eagle Scout
Shawn started in the lawn care industry at the age of 10, working for his mentor Denny Pennington, who was the owner of a ChemLawn franchise. After college and moving up the career ladder at ChemLawn, Shawn decided it was time to offer the community a full line of lawn and landscaping services, founding A+ Lawn and Landscape Inc. in 1988. Shawn started in a small garage with a single trailer and 8 employees and has tirelessly worked to build the company. Shawn appreciates and understands that without his very dedicated co-workers, the company would not be what it is today.
Fun Fact: Loves Baseball and the Atlanta Braves
Melanie grew up in Denison and attended school in Omaha. She worked in childcare before bringing her talents to A+ Lawn and Landscape. When she isn’t working, Melanie enjoys spending time with her animals, vacationing with family, or watching baseball. One of her lifelong goals is to attend a game in every MLB stadium.
Melanie and her team strive to provide our customers with a fantastic customer service experience and guide their questions to the appropriate expert.
Fun Fact: Conversant in American Sign Language
Matthew has been working in the accounting industry for a decade, working his way from being a bookkeeper to being named partner at his firm in his fourth tax season. Matthew is an Iowa native hailing from a family farm in southern Iowa. When not working, he enjoys playing games with his children and attending local card game events.
Fun Fact: Enjoys rabbits, treats, and being a good boy
A native of Perry, Herbie was born in an A Heinz 57 foster home and was dubbed as one of the “martini pups”. Although Herbie appears to be a lab mix, his wisdom panel identifies 12.5% each as American Eskimo, American Staffordshire Terrier, Border Collie, Treeing Walker Coonhound and the remaining 50% is mixed breed. Herbie is in charge of staff morale and is smart and loyal.
Fun Fact: Was 3rd team All American in baseball out of high school and went on to be a catcher for the Boston Red Sox.
Mark started with A+ Lawn and Landscape in 1991. Before starting at 1:, Mark attended Arkansas Tech University on a baseball scholarship. While attending Arkansas Tech, Mark studied Coaching and Physical Education. His passion for the outdoors came from growing up on a farm in northwest Iowa in a small town by the name of Remsen. In 1995, Mark became a managing partner with A+ Lawn and Landscape and is driven to make the company successful.
Fun Fact: Enjoys Sprint Car Races
Darin started out with A+ Lawn and Landscape as a Lawn Care Specialist. He then was promoted to the role of Lawn Care Solutions Specialist, becoming a residential sales consultant. Darin has over 25 years of experience in the lawn care industry and his “customers first” mindset makes him A+’s leading sales consultant.
Fun Fact: He plays slow pitch softball
Jamyle has been working in the lawn care industry for over 25 years. He started at A+ Lawn and Landscape as a lawn care technician over 20 years ago, having taken care of customers all throughout the metro area. His goal as a lawn care technician was to make sure his lawns looked the best in the neighborhood and give his customers educated recommendations on how to further improve their lawns. As a Lawn Care Solutions Specialist, his goals remain the same. Big Al is the resident sports authority at A+ Lawn and Landscape, organizing a plethora of bonding experiences for his coworkers.
Fun Fact: I have been in 8 different countries and flown around the world... it didn’t take 80 days
John was born and raised in Des Moines, IA. He joined the United States Army in 2001 and retired from the Army in 2021. Starting at A+ Lawn and Landscape as an inside salesman he quickly learned the system and processes earning his promotion to a Client Service Manager and has exceled at building relationships with all his clients. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his loved ones, playing billiards, watching football, and sitting by the campfire.
Fun Fact: Is unapologetically a huge Raiders fan
Justin has been working in some form of construction since ending high school in 1996. He graduated from DMACC with a degree in Commercial Horticulture with certificates in Landscape Design, Sports Turf, and Nursery Production. A father of three, Justin and his wife of 20 years proudly watched their oldest son follow in his father’s footsteps, also working in the green industry!
Fun Fact: Amateur race car driver
Jacob started in the green industry at age 14, laying sod and led to him earning multiple degrees and certifications in horticulture and agriculture, including Hunter Irrigation Specialist Certification and FX Luminaire Specialist Certification.
Fun Fact: Nicknamed after Radar from the TV show M.A.S.H
Chris “Radar” Jensen was hired in 1988, becoming the 1st employee hired at A+ Lawn and Landscape. Chris received his B.S degree in Forest management and Agronomy with a specialization in Soil Science from ISU. Along with this, he is also a certified arborist. His agricultural background has cultured a desire to help individuals with lawn and tree care. Chris served for several years as the president for the Iowa Professional Lawncare Association and still maintains an active personal and business membership with the organization.
Casey has been working in the lawn care field since 1998, starting at A+ Lawn and Landscape in 2003. He is a Des Moines native, attending East High School growing up. During his free time, Casey enjoys hunting, fishing, and attending concerts.
Fun Fact: Active fisherman and Raiders fan (an Eagle Scout too!)
Kennedy has been with A+ Lawn and Landscape since 2016. He started as technician in the Irrigation Department, moved to a Lawn Care technician, was promoted to Lawn Care Team Leader and is currently leading the Lawn Care Department as their Business Developer. He is also actively involved in several community programs including the Hope Valley Foundation as well as the Des Moines Parks and Rec Flag Football club since 2009.
Fun Fact: Can deadlift more weight than most of the men she works with
Mackenzie started with A+ in 2020 and quickly showed her abilities as a spray tech. Her natural abilities to lead earned her a promotion to Lawn Care Team Leader shortly after. Known as “The Spray Princess”, Mackenzie’s rare blend of work ethic, computer knowledge, knowledge of turf and her genuine personality is truly making history at A+.
Fun Fact: Awarded a Show Choir Scholarship
Ethan’s passion for the turf industry started when he worked for a lawn care company during high school. After graduation, Ethan attended ISU, where he earned his B.S. in Horticulture with an emphasis in Turf Grass Management. During his time at ISU, he was on the crew that won the 2012 Collegiate Football Sports Field of the Year award. After ISU, Ethan worked for the Iowa Cubs Sports Field. He is a certified Hunter Product Specialist, Hunter Irrigation Designer, and an FX Certified Lighting Designer. When not at work, Ethan enjoys spending time with his family, especially watching football with his son!
Fun Fact: Cody has placed 1st and 2nd in his respected division at the Iowa State Dart Championships!
Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Cody worked in the automotive industry for 12 years before making the change to the lawn care industry. His biggest factor in making the change? He wanted to work outside! He is happily married to wonderful wife, Brittany. Together, they have 3 amazing children. In his free time, Cody enjoys spending time with his family, playing competitive darts and is what some would call a “Die Hard Dallas Cowboys Fan."
Fun Fact: Loves to go fishing
Ken moved to the Des Moines area in 1995 shortly after graduating from ISU. He studied Economics and Engineering in school while nurturing his passion for work in the green industry through internships and summer work. Ken is passionate about improving the quality and value of landscaping with the people he meets. The move to pursuing a full-time career in landscaping was a natural fit. Ken began working at A+ Lawn and Landscape in 2010, becoming a partner in the firm. He is a certified nurseryman and has served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association.
“Promoting positive community and relationships in landscaping”
Fun Fact: Studied jazz for a summer at Lincoln Center in New York City
A graduate of Simpson College with a bachelor’s degree in music, Ben started as a landscape laborer at A+ Lawn and Landscape in the Landscape Division. Since then, he has worked diligently to increase his knowledge and skills in the landscape construction field, earning his promotions from Laborer to Crew Foreman to Team Leader and finally to Business Developer. Ben’s background in music, combined with his love for exercise and sports led to a passion in landscape construction, which combines the creativity of music with the physicality of exercise. In his free time, Ben enjoys working out, playing the saxophone, most things nerdy, and spending as much time with his family as possible.
Fun Fact: Avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan.
Bondurant native Nate Smith joined the US Army National Guard after high school. After 9/11, Nate was Active Army, serving all over the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East before medically retiring following his final deployment. He then attended college and joined A+ Lawn and Landscape over a decade ago. Nate started as a Sprinkler Technician, but quickly grew into promotions for Night Lighting Manager, Sprinkler Team Leader, and Maintenance Team Leader. Nate’s discipline and drive for excellence make him a valuable leader in the company.
Fun Fact: Enjoys fishing, boating and golf
Dave started his career with A+ Lawn and Landscape in 2016 in the mow department. Since then, Dave has used his knowledge and skills in several departments, including property maintenance, night lighting, lawn care, irrigation, holiday lights, sales, and now runs the watercare department. He is certified by Kasco to perform warranty work and service their fountains and diffuser systems.
