Jim and Cathy Piala
President and Vice President

Jim & Cathy Piala first opened the doors at Piala's Nursery & Gardenshop, Inc. in April of 1978. Prior to opening the business, Jim had received a BS degree from Loyola University in Chicago, along with a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. During high school and college Jim worked for multiple nurseries and garden shops in Illinois. After a stint with the Army's 8th Special Forces in Central America and leaving the Army as a Captain, Jim worked for four and a half years at a consulting firm, and then worked in Environmental Studies with Wisconsin Electric. Jim and Cathy wanted to share their mutual enjoyment of the outdoors and a desire to enhance the environment.

Quinn Piala
Construction General Manager, Landscape Designer

Quinn prepared himself for working in the design/build part of Piala's Nursery by earning a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from the Ohio State University, one of the most rigorous in the country. While in school, Quinn frequently flew home on weekends to work with his clients. Since he graduated in 2004, Quinn has won multiple awards in 2005 and 2006. Quinn is very capable in all aspects of landscape architecture, from locating a home or business to best advantage on a property and establishing a proper grading plan, to selecting and installing trees, shrubs, evergreens and flowers, when the building is completed.

Dave
Assistant Nursery Manager

Dave joined the nursery division in Spring 2009. He brought with him a background in building construction and materials, which has transitioned well into the green industry. Dave holds a degree from Michigan Tech in business administration and marketing. When not at work, he enjoys snowmobiling, reading, and walking his dog.

Amanda
Landscape Designer

Amanda has been with Piala's since 2004, when she began her internship as a designer. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture, she joined the design team full time and is one of two LA's on staff. Her passion for the visual arts and the outdoors are her inspiration, and her evolving career has allowed her to pursue both. When she is not designing, Amanda enjoys traveling, outdoor sports, kayaking, fishing, all aspects of design, extreme Wisconsin Badger pride, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Maia
Construction Division Office Lead

Maia joined the Piala’s team in the summer of 2006. She brought with her over 8 years of administrative experience and a BS Degree in Graphic Communications from Carroll College. Maia is responsible for assisting the landscape designers with estimating and presentations; scheduling; recruiting; bookkeeping; and trying to keep everyone organized. She is also employed as a professional Polynesian dancer for Hale O Malo in a part time capacity as well as a member of a Filipino cultural organization that has been featured in various publications. When Maia is not busy at work, she enjoys traveling, studying and experiencing other cultures, meeting new people, reading, music, art, design, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Tom
Maintenance Technician

Dr. Tom Honeyager has been affiliated with Piala's Nursery for 18 years. He holds his Masters in Botany, as well as his PhD in Biogeography, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tom has been an avid gardener all his life and his interests and personal gardening pursuits range from ornamental to edible. Always changing and evolving, his own horticultural experiments have been referred to as a 'garden on wheels'.

Marcelino
Landscape/Design Crew Leader

Marcelino has been with Piala's Nursery for nearly fifteen years and has become our specialized hardscapes artist. He is one of the Landscape Crew Foremen, and is often in charge of detailed retaining wall, patio, and other customized block and stonework projects. Marcelino owns a home in Waukesha, where he lives with his wife and six children.

Miguel
Landscape/Design Crew Leader

Miguel began working at Piala's Nursery almost 25 years ago at the age of 18. He worked his way up to Landscape Crew Foreman and has managed work ranging from planting a single tree to completing extensive landscape projects. Over the years, he has worked at thousands of homes and businesses from Madison, WI to Lake Michigan, Port Washington, WI to Lombard, IL. Since coming to Piala's Nursery, Miguel has married, has two beautiful children, a home, and some rental property in Waukesha.

Leo
Landscape/Design Crew Leader

Leo has been with Piala's Nursery well over 20 years. He is a Landscape Crew Foreman working mainly with Roy at the nursery. He is in charge of delivery and planting of trees and other plants, which are not necessarily part of landscape projects. Since coming to Piala's Nursery, Leo has married, has two great children (one of them, Lucy, has recently earned a college scholarship!) and has a home in Waukesha.

Gama
Landscape/Design Crew Leader

Gama has been with Piala's Nursery for four years, and was recently promoted to the position of Landscape Crew Foreman during the 2007 construction season. He lives in Waukesha with his wife and two children. Gama leads a variety of projects, including both hard and softscape construction.

Dan
Construction Manager

Dan joined the team in April 2011 and is busy overseeing all of our hardworking landscaping crews. He has 25 years of experience in the landscape construction field that has brought him numerous awards and recognition. He lives in Oconomowoc with his wife and three children, one of which is currently attending college.

Tracy
Design Sales Support

Tracy joined Piala’s in the spring of 2010 for design support. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture, she moved away to Chicago where she focused on urban planning and design. Having crossed over to the design/build aspect of the profession, Tracy is getting back in touch with nature and could not be any happier to be back in Wisconsin. While not at work, Tracy enjoys spending time with family and friends, biking, traveling, and cooking up her latest local market finds.

Nancy
Accounting & Bookkeeping

Nancy became a member of Piala’s administrative support staff in fall of 2010. She graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and an emphasis in Management Information Systems. During her career, Nancy has focused on helping small businesses and nonprofits utilize technology to run their business offices more effectively and efficiently. At Piala’s she works closely with Cathy to ensure that all aspects of the business are in order. Her attention to detail and problem solving skills have made her a valuable member of the team.

Linda
Accounting & Bookkeeping

Linda Acheson has been Cathy’s right hand person for nearly 20 years. Linda does bookkeeping and deals with all of the voluminous paperwork associated with running a business. Her work is always meticulously done, and has been an integral part of ensuring Piala's Nursery's success.