Best Landscaper in Johnson County

Howdy, I’m Justin Simpson!

Owner and Co-Founder

Most business owners don’t want to come home after work with dirty hands; I wouldn’t have it any other way. My business attire consists of work boots, jeans, and a T-shirt. My office is the front seat of an F-150. My mission is to make every HOA we serve into one that I’d be proud to raise my family in. MY EXPERIENCE: I’m the Owner and Co-Founder of Lifestyle Outdoor. Since high school, I’ve been helping homeowners build their landscapes. Every day, I get to talk to customers during on-site visits, design new landscapes, and help our crew improve existing spaces. From working at my hometown nursery to planning huge projects in KC, I learn more and more every day I get my hands dirty. MY PASSION: Sure, I love to help HOAs look their best, but I’m really passionate about building relationships. Most of our regular clients end up being lifelong friends. I see Lifestyle Outdoor as a customer service business that just happens to help the environment with professional lawn care. This is the best job in the world for me because I get to build beautiful spaces while helping my friends. At the end of the day, our work is all about the relationships with each other and the land we share.

Hi, I’m Thane Howell

General Manager

I serve as General Manager of Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping, guided by a simple belief: great companies are built by developing great people. Growing up in a farming family taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, and stewardship — principles that continue to shape my leadership today. With years of experience in the landscape service industry, I focus on building strong systems that deliver consistent, high-quality service while developing leaders within our team. I believe success comes from accountability, collaboration, and disciplined execution. I take pride in delivering “White Glove Service with a Green Thumb,” ensuring every client experiences reliability, professionalism, and proactive communication. Outside of work, my family is my foundation and greatest motivation.

Kevin Lanning

Lead Production Manager

I started my career in the Landscape industry at 12 years old. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be at this level in my career until I met Justin. He showed me that there is true value in hard work and dedication HOW I GOT HERE: I started as a laborer and worked my way up to be a crew leader. From there, I studied and worked as an irrigation technician. My passion was truly ignited after I was promoted to production manager. I believe that the crews working in the field deserve to have a manager who fully understands the work being done. Someone who will actively participate in the work being performed. It's an exciting time to be a part of this company. OUR SHARED GOALS: We believe that our employees should be treated with the same level of care and respect that we show to our clients. In this way, Justin, Thane, and I share a common vision. To provide the highest level of service to our clients and a safe work environment where our employees are happy to come to work in.

Angie Garcia!

Director of Administration

As the Director of Administration at Lifestyle Outdoor, I am committed to building strong systems, clear communication, and organized processes that support both our team and our clients. My role focuses on creating structure behind the scenes, so our operations run efficiently and our customers receive consistent, high-quality service. I joined the team after meeting Justin in 2022, when I first worked out in the field alongside the crew. That hands-on experience gave me a deeper understanding of the landscaping industry and helped me truly appreciate the work we do every day. I hold a degree in Architecture and worked with several construction companies. That background has been invaluable in helping me develop and strengthen the responsibilities I manage within the company, from organization and communication to supporting both our clients and our crew. One of the things I admire most about Justin is how genuinely he cares for every client and employee. He makes sure our customers receive not only what they ask for, but also the attention, respect, and quality that truly set us apart. With the combined knowledge and experience that the Management team bring to the table, we all share one goal: to make our clients happy and consistently deliver the high-quality service Lifestyle Outdoor is known for. Outside of work, I have two fur babies, Woody and Changa, who bring so much joy to my life and are spoiled not just by me, but by the entire Lifestyle Outdoor team. If you ever stop by our office, there’s a good chance you’ll meet them and chances are you’ll fall in love with them too. 🐾

Eric Robinson

Director of Customer Experience

As the Director of Customer Experience at Lifestyle Outdoor, I am committed to a philosophy of "more listening, less talking" to ensure our clients receive the best long-term solutions for their outdoor environments. My journey in the landscape industry began on my family's Kansas horse farm, where my brothers and I were responsible for the daily care of the grounds and buildings. This early foundation, combined with over 40 years of landscape experience and another 15 years in construction, allows me to solve virtually any issue associated with landscape and snow management. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working on diverse projects, including: • World-class office parks and corporate campuses. • Universities and residential developments. • Industrial parks and sports complexes. I believe that true teamwork means everyone moving in the same direction to create a positively memorable experience for our clients. My goal is to never accept mediocrity and to treat every person and every job with equal importance, a value I learned early in my career. Outside of work, I indulge my lifelong fascination with anything that has a motor. I am a vintage car enthusiast and restorer, and by my last count, I have owned over 107 vehicles. Whether I’m solving a complex landscape challenge or taking a long road trip, I strive to do my best and make it better.

Pete Reithmayr

Landscape Production Manager

I serve as the Landscape Production Manager at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping and have been with the company for four years. My passion for this industry started at a young age, helping my dad and uncle outdoors, where I developed a love for hard work and creating something meaningful with my hands. What I enjoy most about my role is seeing a project come together from start to finish and witnessing the happiness it brings to homeowners and clients. I take pride in my attention to detail, strong work ethic, and willingness to take on a good challenge. To me, teamwork means everyone working together toward the same goal and never asking someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and tending to my own landscape and flowers.

Sergio Zaldana

Production Manager

Sergio Zaldana serves as Production Manager at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping, bringing eight years of industry experience, including five years with the company. He began his career as a crew member in the mowing department and worked his way into leadership through dedication, responsibility, and a growth mindset. Sergio is passionate about helping employees grow and takes pride in developing strong, accountable teams. Known for his leadership attitude and professionalism, he focuses on delivering quality work while creating a positive experience for teammates, clients, and vendors. He values collaboration, good communication, shared responsibility, and staying resilient through challenges without giving up, even when facing fears or difficulties. Outside of work, Sergio enjoys spending time with his family and playing and watching soccer.

Adam Humphrey

Irrigation Manager

I serve as the Irrigation Manager at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping and have been with the company for three years. I started in the field as a technician and worked my way into managing our irrigation operations and service team. I began my career in landscaping right after high school, drawn to working outdoors and learning hands-on skills. Over time, I became especially interested in irrigation because it combines technical knowledge, problem-solving, and helping landscapes thrive behind the scenes. What I enjoy most is troubleshooting and improving system efficiency. There’s something rewarding about diagnosing an issue, fine-tuning a system, and knowing you’re conserving water while keeping properties looking their best. I bring strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and reliability to my role. Irrigation requires precision, and I take pride in making sure systems operate efficiently and correctly. I also focus on training and supporting my team so we continue improving together. To me, great service means being proactive and responsive — catching small issues before they become larger problems and communicating clearly so clients feel confident their property is well cared for. Teamwork means working toward a shared goal and supporting one another across departments to deliver the best results. I was raised to take responsibility and pride in my work. If something has my name on it, I make sure it’s done right. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, working on home improvement projects, and staying active outdoors.

Dalton Whitwam

Fleet Manager

I serve as the Fleet Manager at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping and have been in this role for the past 1.5 years. Stepping into this position has given me the opportunity to take ownership of keeping our equipment in production and supporting the crews who rely on it every day. I’m driven by accountability, strong work ethic, and honesty. I take pride in being a problem solver who provides efficient support and exceeds expectations so our team can operate at a high level. To me, teamwork means shared goals and ideas, trust, clear communication, accepting everyone, and showing respect. When people feel valued and supported, the entire operation succeeds. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, our dogs, and our newborn daughter, Vea.

Daniel Pfaff

Plant Healthcare & Irrigation Technician

I currently serve in a hybrid role at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping, supporting both plant healthcare and irrigation services. I’ve been with the company for 10 months and bring 15 years of experience in the agricultural industry from my home country of South Africa. After relocating to the United States, I was drawn to landscaping because it’s the closest connection to agriculture here in Kansas City. Working outdoors and staying connected to nature continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I take pride in my problem-solving abilities and my strong background in plant care, which helps ensure the long-term health of the landscapes we manage. My diverse experience allows me to approach challenges from multiple perspectives and add value to the team. To me, great service means understanding and meeting the needs of our clients while being proactive and responsive to prevent issues before they arise. Teamwork is about collaborating effectively, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another to achieve common goals. Growing up, I learned the importance of hard work and resilience — values that continue to shape my strong work ethic today. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, and biking.

Joe Crane

Irrigation Manager

I serve as the Irrigation Manager at Lifestyle Outdoor Landscaping, bringing four years of hands-on industry experience to the team. I began my career working on golf courses such as Alvamar and Ironhorse, where I developed a strong foundation in troubleshooting and improving irrigation systems to perform at a high level. I take pride in being reliable and hardworking, with a strong commitment to identifying a customer’s needs and solving issues in a timely and respectful manner. I believe teamwork means working together toward a common goal, and I strive to remain coachable, professional, and respectful in every situation. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three daughters, watching the Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals, and traveling and hiking with my family.

Yailyn Palos

Administrative Assistant

As the Administrative Assistant, I play a key role in supporting both our team and our clients. I’ve been with the company for one year, and I got started in the landscape industry thanks to my manager, Angie, who introduced me to the field and gave me the opportunity to grow within the company. What I enjoy most about my role is interacting with our customers. I love being able to help, answer questions, and make sure our clients feel supported and valued. To me, great service means being responsive, attentive, and treating others the way I would want to be treated. I believe that even something as simple as a smile or a kind tone can make a difference in someone’s day. I bring adaptability, strong multitasking skills, and resourcefulness to the team. I’m comfortable handling multiple responsibilities at once and stepping in wherever I’m needed. I believe teamwork means being reliable, communicating clearly, and helping each other out to make sure the job gets done right. One of the biggest lessons I learned growing up was to treat others the way I would want to be treated. That mindset guides me every day, reminding me that kindness, patience, and understanding truly make a difference. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. They are my biggest motivation and the most important part of my life.

Woody & Changa

Directors of Pup Patrol

We spread joy and make everyone feel welcome! Greeting every visitor with wagging tails, enthusiastic sniffs, and plenty of puppy kisses. Whether it’s team members, clients, or delivery people, we ensures every arrival is met with happiness and tail wags. Bonus points for snuggling, belly rubs, and brightening everyone’s day!