Aaron Lutz: Landscape Designer
 A Minnesota native and graduate of the University of Minnesota’s College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Aaron has been working as a landscape designer since he received a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Design. He is an active member of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, serving on the Landscape Design Committee. His attention to detail, knowledge, and passion for design keep him in the forefront of the landscape design field. The awareness that each client, project, and setting is unique allows him to tailor-make each of his hand-drawn designs.
When not at work, Aaron is busy at home with his wife and 3 young children. He also enjoys reading, music and watching sports.
Email: alutz@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page |
David Hoyt: Landscape Designer
 Dave has been designing Twin Cities’ landscapes for several decades. He received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Iowa and was schooled for two more years in Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University. Dave has received top design awards for residential landscaping from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, and he maintains his Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional status within the industry. Dave loves all aspects of outdoor design, from the complex structural to the intricate plant layout. Keeping educated on the latest plants and hardscape materials has always been very important to him. He encourages his clients to impart their ideas onto the site, and then helps refine those ideas so they can be turned into very enjoyable outdoor spaces.
Dave lives in Minnetonka with his wife. They have a grown son. Dave’s pastimes include gardening, traveling, birding, and shooting nature (with a digital camera).
Email: dhoyt@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page |
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Jay Siedschlaw: Landscape Designer
 Jay Siedschlaw has spent over 11 years designing projects in the Twin Cities area. His BS in Landscape Design from South Dakota State University has served him well, as he has designed/installed over 400 projects since 1995.
In 1997, Jay traveled to Germany to study the differences between European and American ways of garden design. Jay approaches his work with a clear vision of what “should” be done to what “can” be done; both great insights which can help achieve great results for clients.
In addition to Jay’s work with Outdoor Excapes, he also instructs full time at Hennepin Technical College. Jay also serves on the Landscape Design Committee with the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. In his free time, Jay enjoys traveling, reading, camping, exploring and having fun with his wife and son.
Email: jsiedschlaw@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page
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Andy Birrenkott: Operations Manager
 Andy Birrenkott has been with Outdoor Excapes Inc. since its inception in 2002. He had been working in the landscape industry for 5 years prior to joining Outdoor Excapes. Andy started as a job foreman and now oversees all of our landscape installation teams. He enjoys his everyday contact with our installation teams by helping them create beautiful landscapes. Andy plays an important role in making sure all of Outdoor Excapes projects are installed to the highest of standards.
Andy lives in Chaska with his wife Angela. In the fall Andy can be found in the woods or on water either hunting deer or ducks.
Email: abirrenkott@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page |
Hans Frees: President/ General Manager
 Hans established Outdoor Excapes in the spring of 2002 after being in the green industry for over ten years. His vision was to create a client focused company that would design and build amazing landscape projects while giving the client the best possible customer experience. Today Hans’s active duties include over seeing business operations and supporting the innovative staff at Outdoor Excapes. He can often times be found out on the job sites, conversing with clients, talking with the crew and ensuring his values are met.
Hans currently resides in Chanhassen with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys boating, traveling and spending time with his family. Hans also has a strong passion for real estate and remodeling. Hans established Jax Construction, a remodeling company, in the fall of 2005.
Jax construction assists Outdoor Excapes with all custom carpentry work.
Visit www.jaxconstruction.com
Email for more photos and details of services available.
Email: hfrees@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page |
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Maria Hainlen: Office Manager
 Maria joined Outdoor Excapes in the summer of 2007. She brings many years of experience in office administration, bookkeeping, accounting and banking. She grew up in the Twin Cities and attended Bethel College and the University of Minnesota with a concentration in education. She enjoys all aspects of her position at Outdoor Excapes – organization, reconciling and anything that involves numbers is fun for her.
Maria lives in Edina with her three wonderful children and their sweet toy poodle, Spike. She enjoys music, the seasons on Minnesota, being out on the lake and spending time having fun with her family and friends.
Email: mhainlen@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page
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Erin Sullivan: Production Coordinator
 Erin started working with Outdoor Excapes in the spring of 2006. She has five plus years of experience in the green industry and an Associate Degree in Landscape Design and Construction. She has brought with her a wealth of knowledge on products and materials. During most days you will find her doing a variety of things such as reviewing plans, ordering materials, scheduling deliveries, and supporting the designers. She is a welcomed addition to our company.
Erin lives in Orono with her husband, their three children and Fred (the golden retriever). When not working, she loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, camping and boating.
Email: esullivan@outdoorexcapes.com | top of page |
Joel “Speedy” Acevedo: Field Supervisor
 Speedy started working for Outdoor Excapes in 2002. He quickly moved from labor to foreman and now is a field supervisor. He has easily learned how to operate all of our equipment, read detailed design plans, and manage large crews. Water features have became one of his specialties. He has a great eye and passion for the detailed work that is necessary to create complex water features. His positive attitude has made it easy to support his continued growth in our company. His eagerness to learn has made him a valuable asset to our team.
Speedy lives in Chaska with his wife Rebecca and their two beautiful young children. Speedy takes pride in working hard for his family. When he is not at work or with his family, he can be found at the gym.
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Ezequiel "Cheque" Acevedo: Field Supervisor
 Cheque started working with Outdoor Excapes in the summer of 2002. He had experience working in the garden and landscaping field before coming to Outdoor Excapes. Since then, he has moved from foreman to field supervisor because of his dedication, intelligence, and ability to manage the more complex jobs. He enjoys his job so much, he turned his own backyard into a beautiful space with a patio, sitting wall, small water feature and planting beds. He works hard beside his brother Joel ‘Speedy’ Acevado, who is also a field supervisor. Cheque is very proud of the work he does for Outdoor Excapes and their clients.
Cheque lives in Chaska with his wife Sandra. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family fishing, playing soccer for just hanging out having a good time.
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Brad Slater: Construction Field Supervisor
 After spending several years in commercial landscaping and construction, Brad found his way into the residential scope of the business. Brad enjoys the emphasis on quality workmanship that custom projects allow. He has been able to combine an admiration of architecture with a passion for building. His summers are filled with building pergolas, screen porches, decks and sheds while the fall and winter months are devoted to residential remodeling projects and home renovations.
Brad has been a resident of Plymouth since 1973. When he’s not at work, Brad enjoys gardening, woodworking, camping and traveling both near and far
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Nick Acevedo: Delivery Driver
 Nick began working for Outdoor Excapes in the summer of 2003. He started as part of the installation crew but soon decided to take on the role of delivery driver. Nick is very good at making sure the right materials go to the right projects. He takes special care to ensure that all plant material arrives in good condition. He takes pride in his truck. At the end of each day, he can be found cleaning and maintaining his truck. Nick enjoys working for Outdoor Excapes with his older brothers Cheque and Speedy.
Nick has a passion for music. He enjoys making music with his friends, spending time with his family and playing soccer.
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Jose “Pepe” Puente: Foreman
 Pepe has been working with Outdoor Excapes since 2003. Pepe is one of our most experienced foreman and a very nice addition to our team. His willingness to work hard and his positive attitude, shine through on every project he works on. Pepe is considered to be our most efficient machine operator. He is a real go getter and has a natural ability to lead.
Pepe lives in Chaska with his wife Luisa. When not having fun at work, he enjoys hanging out with his family and friends. In his spare time he can be found on a soccer field or watching a game on t.v.
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Juan Trejo: Foreman
 Juan started at Outdoor Excapes in 2002. Juan has become our boulder expert. He installs the majority of our boulder walls, steps and outcroppings. Our backhoe is Juan’s second home. He has quickly become very proficient with the grapple hand attachment which allows him to twist and turn a boulder to find the perfect side, location and angle to place each boulder. He is very hard-working and dedicated, even when changes occur he is always upbeat and ready to take on the next challenge.
Juan lives in Chaska with his wife Veronica and their two children. Juan enjoys spending time with his family, seeing his friends, and playing soccer.
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