Richard Lyon, RLA ASLA

Partner, Principal Landscape Architect

A native of New Zealand, Richard is well known throughout Wilmington, DE and Southeastern Pennsylvania where he has designed and managed installation of many fine home landscapes.

Extensive travel and living abroad allows him to bring a unique perspective and creative approach to long-term landscape solutions.

His strength lies in his intense creativity, innovative problem solving and passion for his work. Richard has received recognition with both national and regional design awards.

He specializes in large-scale residential projects, the revitalization of older home landscapes, and designing for new homes.

Richard earned a Bachelors Degree in Horticultural Science from Massey University, New Zealand and studied as an international horticulturalist at Longwood Gardens.

He also won awards at the Royal Horticultural Show in Chelsea, England.

Accreditations & Memberships:

• Registered Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania and Delaware
• Chairperson of the Kennett Area Parks Authority
• Natural Lands Manager at UUSMC Delaware

Laura R. Miller, RLA

Partner, Principal Landscape Architect

Laura has more than 25 years of experience beginning with skills acquired from previous Architectural, Land Planning, Environmental and Design-Build firms since 1983.

Laura joined Wallace in 1990 and became managing partner in 1998. Her project experience includes numerous variations of custom home garden design throughout the Delaware valley. She works closely with clients to interpret their needs and desires, and balances them with budget constraints.

Laura is inspired by the creation of new environments. She enjoys the opportunity to work with all styles of homes incorporating each individual’s lifestyle and taste, then blending it seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Laura includes natural elements into the designed landscape by incorporating water, stone and a variety of plant palettes. She also finds ways to integrate green practices, including recycling onsite materials and creative ways to manage storm water. A recipient of many awards for her creativity, Laura designs landscapes of enduring character and dedicates experience and vision to every project.

Laura earned a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Planning and Design from Rutgers University, Cook College.

Accreditations & Memberships:

• Registered Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania and Delaware
• Member of American Society of Landscape Architects
• Member of Women Entrepreneurs Professional Services (WEPS)

Awards:

• Gold Award – Pennsylvania Landscape & Nurseryman’s Association (PLNA)
• Excellence in Landscape Design “Residential Hardscape”
• Bronze Award – PLNA Excellence in Landscape Design
• Merit Award – Environmental Improvement (PLANET)
• Honorable Mention – PLNA Excellence in Landscape Design “Historic Restoration Garden

Eric T. Leeson, RLA ASLA

Principal Landscape Architect

Eric joined Wallace Landscape Associates in June 2011 after a 16-year tenure with Terrain (formerly J.F. Styer Nurseries), nine years with the Philadelphia based land planning firm, John Rahenkamp Consultants, Inc., and a career start with Land Design Research, Inc., in Columbia, MD.

A lifelong Delaware Valley resident, he earned a BS w/ distinction in Landscape Architecture from the Pennsylvania State University in 1986.

Eric’s expertise and interests focus primarily on landscape design, construction management/team building and coordination of design implementations for residential clientele. In addition, Eric has extensive experience in residential, commercial and institutional land/site planning and development.

Application of a hands on field design and management style achieves an optimum result, responding to both the client’s vision and the property’s capacities and potential. Eric has a special interest in The Sustainable Landscape Initiative (SITES) specifically, as it applies to the residential landscape and coupled with the understanding of our regional considerations. The preservation and adaptive reuse or restoration of existing property features, creative control of storm water and utilization of predominantly native plants promote the development of sustainable landscape environments, mutually beneficial for both people and nature.

Eric also specializes in an environmentally appropriate approach to the integration of exotic and tropical plants into indigenous landscapes.

Memberships and Awards:

• Member; American Society of Landscape Architects
• Member; Brandywine Valley Association
• Philadelphia Flower Show, Best in Show, Educational Exhibit, Zoological Society of Philadelphia, ‘Where Eagles Soar’
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 2005

• Design Show Home 2002
• Philadelphia Magazine, May 2002
• Merit award for a Built Project: DuPont Chestnut Run Plaza
• American Society of Landscape Architects PA/DE Chapter 1993
• Merit award for a Built Project: The Villages at Creekside
• American Society of Landscape Architects PA/DE Chapter 1993
• SAM Merit award for Best Landscape Design Detached Model Complex: Princeton Landing
• New Jersey Builders Association 1993
• Achievement in Planning Excellence (APEX) award: Pohatcong Village
• New Jersey Builders Association 1991

Sarah Dodd

Landscape Architect, Project Estimator & Contracts Manager

As lead estimator for Wallace projects, Sarah skillfully initiates project takeoffs utilizing state of the art estimating software to accurately produce installation estimates and contracts for each client.

Her high standards and in-depth knowledge of landscape construction show in her work and dedication to giving each client the best value possible.

Working collaboratively with the principal designers and construction managers, Sarah brings an informed and fresh perspective to the table.

Sarah earned a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Cornell University and a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Contracting from the Pennsylvania State University.

Nicole Keegan, RLA

Landscape Architect

Nicole Keegan is a PA registered landscape architect who assists with design services and corporate marketing at Wallace.

Nicole has a wide range of experience from small scale residential master plans to land planning projects. Her primary areas of expertise are the management, design and production of residential, recreational, institutional, and streetscape / transportation enhancement projects.

Her professional experience includes the full range of technical design skills and a thorough understanding of the design process that is necessary for successful project completion, including hands-on coordination with various municipalities, government agencies and contractors / craftsman.

In addition to her professional work she has volunteered with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) ‘Sowing the Seeds of Landscape Architecture’ education program working with local schools to teach students about design, and to conduct student design workshops to facilitate their ideas into a school park.

Nicole has taught courses in planting and landscape design at Temple University’s Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Department. Currently she serves on the West Vincent Township Sustainability Committee.

Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Temple University, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture.

Affiliations and Awards:

• American Society of Landscape Architecture PA/DE Chapter Professional Development Committee (2008- 2011)
• American Society of Landscape Architects PA/DE Chapter 2007 Honor Award – Arcadia University Campus Landscape Master Plan, Montgomery County, PA (Project Manager)
• American Society of Landscape Architects PA/DE Chapter 2005 Merit Award
  – University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Quadrangle, Philadelphia, PA (Project Manager)
• Temple University Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty Award
• ASLA Student Certificate of Honor Award (Temple University)

KIM LIGHTNER

Landscape Designer

Kim joined Wallace Landscape Associates in September, 2020. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the Pennsylvania State University in 2018. She also commissioned as a Logistics Officer in the United States Army and is currently serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Kim’s expertise lies with the technology used in the office from construction documents to renderings to cost estimates. She has experience with large and small scale projects. She enjoys being outside working with the clients and building relationships.

Kim decided to pursue this career because she has a passion for integrating sustainable, ecological, and psychological factors intelligently into a design.
She appreciates the small details that form the way people move and interact in a space. Her greatest satisfaction comes from starting from scratch and seeing a space come to life.

Jason Gehman

Project Engineer

Jason joined Wallace Landscape Associates in April of 2021 as a Project Engineer. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Project Management from Drexel University in 2020.

Jason’s background in project management, along with his previous experience in landscape construction, led him to his current position as project engineer. Jason oversees daily construction and planting operations including scheduling logistics, troubleshooting, and project coordination and management.

Jason enjoys being outdoors overseeing jobsites, but also enjoys researching and finding opportunities to enhance the workplace with the latest technologies. He utilizes his understanding of technology to create a more efficient work environment and help keep Wallace ahead of the curve. Incorporating new technology, and a highly organized system, are key to him keeping construction projects running smoothly and Wallace clients happy.

Rachel Landis

Garden Maintenance Manager

Rachel Landis joined the Wallace Landscape Associates team in the fall of 2021. As the Garden Maintenance Manager, she strives to implement proper, sustainable gardening practices to ensure the longevity and health, as well as the natural beauty of the planted landscape. Rachel works in conjunction with Wallace designers and clients to make dreams come true.

While pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Design and Build at Delaware Valley University, she spent a summer as an Outdoor Garden Intern at Longwood Gardens. Working alongside like-minded plant enthusiasts helped define her career aspirations.

After graduation, Rachel worked as a foreman at a design build firm in Upper Bucks County, leading their installation and maintenance crews for three years. She takes pride in efficient teamwork and creative problem-solving, as well as working alongside other passionate, ambitious women in the field.