Who We Are
The company was founded on the guiding principals of premium service. Our Butterfly logo symbolizes a metamorphous and stands for strength, freedom and new beginnings in the landscape industry. BLUE stands for Beautifying Landscapes Upgrading Environments. Blue Landscape Contracting Group is a professional Landscape Construction and Landscape Maintenance firm providing quality service to customers and clients in Collier and Lee Counties. We specialize in high-end installation and maintenance of landscapes both large and small. The Owners and Staff are committed to customer satisfaction and building longstanding relationships.
Tim Felts, Principal
Originally from Maiden, North Carolina moved to Naples back in 2001 after graduating from North Carolina State University with an Associate’s degree in Turf Grass Management. His career started here in Naples as an Assistant superintendent at Mediterra. He was part of the team that finished the grow-in of the two golf courses and went on to be the superintendent over one of the two 18 hole golf courses in Mediterra. In spring of 2004, Tim had the opportunity to join and co-found one of the largest landscape management companies in Naples.
Tim began his career with this company as the first employee, working the field until the business picked up and he no longer had the time to be out with the crew. He focused his time on establishing the business procedures and developing the client relationships that helped propel the company to where it is today. Towards the middle of 2012, Tim decided he was ready to venture out on his own and get back to the basics, using his vision and passion that lead him into the landscape business. Tim decided to use his hands on approach, management style and his customer service skills to jump heads on into a new venture called “Blue”. Tim is not interested in, nor will be focused on being the biggest landscaper in town, he simply wants to be the best.
Tim partnered with Francis X Kitchener Jr., another landscape professional in Naples and hopes to take Blue Landscape Contracting Group, LLC to the next level!
Frank Kitchener Jr., Principal
Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Frank earned his B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture & Environmental Design from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, and has been managing high-end landscaping for over 30 years. He started his own landscape business at age 10 and has had a green thumb ever since. Frank is a Certified Pest Control Operator (CPCO), Certified Arborist, Certified Horticultural Professional (FCHP), Community Association Manager (CAM), and has been certified by the University of Florida in Best Management Practices (BMP). Frank’s expertise is landscape maintenance, pest management and diagnosing plant problems and nutrient deficiencies in palms and ornamental plants in the landscape. Frank managed the grounds for one of the most exclusive communities on Vanderbilt beach in Naples for twelve years. He then became General Manager of one of the largest landscape firms in Naples for seven years. Frank is known for his best in class customer service and attention to detail.
Lawrence Perillo, Principal
Lawrence Perillo graduated from the State University of New York at Cobelskill in the heart of the Catskill Mountains with a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science (1995). Throughout his high school and college years, he owned his own landscape design, build and maintain company. As a bachelor’s student at Cobleskill, he spent his first summer internship working for one of the industries leaders in quality and customer service, Chapel Valley Landscape located in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. After being recognized and recruited by a quality oriented Naples-based landscaping firm, Lawrence accepted a permanent position, moving him to Naples, Florida in 1995. There, his reputation for quality, honesty, customer service and team building followed him.
From 1998 to 2004, Lawrence became the Director of Landscape operations for a large Developer in Naples, FL, where he was responsible for all of landscape installation and operations. Lawrence then served as Partner and President of a large Landscaping firm in Naples from 2004 until 2014 where he was first united with Tim Felts. His expertise in building relationships and building teams combined with his attention to quality, honesty and customer service set him apart from the rest.
A Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture, a Certified Florida Horticultural Professional through the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association and a licensed state certified Pest Control Operator, Lawrence will continue to pursue his passions in the landscape industry with the two trustworthy, honest partners at Blue Landscape Contracting Group. Lawrence’s commitment to quality and customer service go unmatched and just as important, his care for the hardworking people on his teams goes equally unmatched. As Lawrence puts it, “Experience the best. Experience Blue.”
John McFadden, Principal
John, originally from Dublin Ireland, graduated from the Teagasc Horticultural Research Center in 1987. He began working in the turf industry at The Royal Dublin Golf Club as the Assistant Superintendent. In 1990, John was hired as the Superintendent of St. Margarets Golf and Country Club in Dublin. Later, John took up the position of Golf Superintendent and Estate Manager of the 800-acre estate at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Club.
In 1998 while vacationing in the US, was offered and accepted a position with a large landscape company in Reno Nevada as Project Manager of the Landscape Division, and soon after became a director of the company. In 2002 that company was sold and John started his own Landscape Maintenance, Landscaping and Hardscape company in the greater Reno ,Nevada area. The company grew to one of the largest in the area until in 2011 when he sold the company.
After moving to Naples in 2013, was hired into a Management position with a another large landscape company. Shortly after, John joined Blue Landscape Contracting Group and oversaw the landscape maintenance. In 2015, John helped to create Blue Outdoor Solutions, LLC., and now creates and installs some of the most beautiful hardscape and synthetic turf projects for our clients. John enjoys spending time with his Wife and two children.
Andy Estrada, Landscape Manager
Originally from Miami, FL, Andy began his landscape career in 1995 operating his Family’s nursery business. After many years in the industry, he relocated to this coast where he worked for several of the largest landscape firms as a landscape Supervisor. Andy has overseen most all of the road landscape projects in Lee and Collier County, as well as many commercial upscale shopping centers like the Mercado, Coconut Point Mall, as well as the South West Florida International Airport. Andy has excellent communication skills and is known for working with clients, GC and Project Mangers to complete projects in a timely fashion.
Blue Landscape Contracting Groups’ Supervisors and Foreman have been certified in Best Management Practices through Project Greenscape. Project Greenscape is a joint effort between the City of Naples, the University of Florida and the Department of Environmental Protection to educate the industry on proper applications of chemicals and fertilizers with the least impact on the environment.
Annette Carbary, Construction Manager
Annette grew up in Michigan and earned her B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Lawrence Technological University.
In 1992 Annette and her family moved to Bonita Springs and she began her career in the green industry. Within five years she became the General Manager for one of the larger landscape contractors in Lee County for over 20 years.
Accomplished with more than 24 years of relevant experience in operations management, project management, sales and design; Annette is best known for her successful project management of several large upscale commercial and multi-family projects in both Lee and Collier counties.
Annette recently joined BLUE Landscape to oversee and manage the day to day construction operations of the company’s growth and production.
Brandon Smith, Irrigation & Lighting Manager
Brandon Smith, a native to Naples, started his career for one of the original irrigation companies in Naples. After five years learning the irrigation trade, Brandon accepted the position of Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Bonita Springs. He oversaw the Irrigation and landscape maintenance for the Parks and Recreation department. Brandon then joined Blue to oversee the irrigation maintenance for Blue’s residential and commercial clients. He also oversees the irrigation for Talis Park, one of Blue’s premier properties. Brandon is an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and son.
Erik Knudsen (ELK), Maintenance Manager
Originally from Gainesville Florida and raised in North Florida, Erik graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Landscape Operations from Lake City Community College (now Gateway College). After supervising the College Grounds Maintenance Department from 1987 to 1993 Erik moved to Naples and joined a large Design/Build Landscape Maintenance firm to Manage the Maintenance Division for five years.
After Managing the Grounds at Bonita Bay for two years, Erik relocated to North Central Florida to Manage the Landscape for the largest Golfing Retirement Community in the world for over 14 years before deciding to move back down to Naples.
Erik is an Arborist certified by The International Society of Arboriculture and a State of Florida Certified Pest Control Operator (CPCO). Erik enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with his wife
Scott Douglas, Irrigation Production Manager
Scott has dedicated his past 30 years to the irrigation industry. It all started in New Jersey installing and servicing irrigation for his brother during summer break from college. After graduating from Franklin Pierce University, Scott relocated to Eagle Colorado and started an irrigation contracting company. Irrigating residential, commercial, municipal, and agriculture properties kept him extremely busy for over a decade. From irrigating quarry roadways for dust control to irrigating an elk ranch in the high country, it was always very challenging and rewarding. Long winters had taken their toll and in 2003 Scott moved to South West Florida to pursue ” year around” irrigation. For the past 13 years, Scott has worked in the local industry and gained a wealth of knowledge about Florida plant material and sub-tropical climates. ” water is finite, it’s all about conservation. Utilize modern technology and proper design to create a beautiful Florida landscape.” Scott joined Blue and oversees all the new irrigation installation projects. He enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his Wife in Bonita Springs.