A twenty-five year veteran of the industry, Johannes Pieterse (JP) began his career working with his family’s cut rose greenhouse in Amstelveen. At the young age of 26, he purchased and managed his own expansive greenhouse operation which produced 10 million stems annually. In 2012, JP came to the U.S. to manage an 8-acre orchid facility producing 1.8 million Phalaenopsis orchids yearly. His successful career continued when he became the General Manager of a 85-acre facility at Colorpoint, the sixth largest commercial greenhouse operation in the United States. Read more…

Like JP, Brent planted roots early in the industry, at the tender age of 15 as an employee of a big box garden center. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds a degree in Horticulture. Brent began his career as an assistant grower at Sawyer Nursery. This quickly led to head grower positions with several leading companies including Costa Color, the second largest greenhouse growing in the U.S., and Four Star Greenhouse in Carleton, Michigan, home to the famed Proven Winner brand of annuals, perennials, and Color Choice shrubs. Read more…

Grace Karoluk has been working as a Landscape Designer with Countryside since 1999. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Plant Physiology from the Warminsko- Mazurski University in Poland and also holds a Landscape Design Degree from Triton College.
In her free time, Grace loves to read historical fiction. She and her family enjoy traveling, especially in the Northwoods and the Lake Superior area. Read more…

Karen Campney, “KC”, has worked at Countryside since 1988 and is an Illinois Certified Nursery Professional (ICN) in both Woody and Perennial Plants. The most rewarding part of her job is seeing happy customers return to Countryside with pictures of their yards and gardens.
KC and her husband enjoy attending toy shows and adding to their huge collection of antique and modern toys and toy farm implements. Read more…

Marcy Cronin has been the ‘voice’ of Countryside for more than 27 years. Using her communication and marketing skills, she works with managers and staff to promote Countryside’s gorgeous plants and gardening products to our customers.
Marcy enjoys time with her husband, three daughters and several pets. In addition to teaching Catechism classes, she is active with several local Chambers of Commerce, Wauconda School District 118 Band Boosters and the Arts & Environment Committee at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Wauconda. Read more…

Growing up at Countryside as a little girl, Pattie started pulling wagons and folding boxes for customers to carry out their plants. She is currently Countryside’s Purchasing Manager, responsible for monitoring the inventory levels and keeping Countryside’s shelves stocked with new and exciting products.
She enjoys spending her free time with her young son Nico. Read more…

Barb Kindinger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Kansas State University and has been a leader in the Landscape Department of Countryside for 41 years. She is a member of the Landscape Design Association (LDA) and the Midwest Ecological Landscape Association (MELA).
When not in her own garden, Barb enjoys biking and traveling with her family. Read more…

Since 2007, Kerri Arthur has been the Garden Center Manager for Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center. She enjoys being a part of the buying team for both the Garden Center and the Christmas Shop. She is especially fond of container gardening.
When not gardening, Kerri enjoys golfing and spending time with her husband and family. Kerri has a passion for animals and rescue organizations. Read more…

Michael Fedoran, Container Garden Guru and Gardening Coach, has been with Countryside for twelve years. He has an Associate’s Degree in landscape design and enjoys working outdoors, with both vegetable and flower gardening.
Born in Chicago, he is a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan, and can be found in his “office” (the greenhouse potting bench) listening to games in the spring. Read more…