Wallis, Baker & Associates, one of Central Florida’s leading landscape architecture and land planning firms since 1961, has named Paul Verlander as a partner.

Tom Wallis, the firm’s founder and president, said the company name will be changed to Wallis, Baker & Verlander to reflect the addition of Verlander as a partner.

“Our decision to add Paul as a partner is in recognition of his outstanding design talents and leadership qualities,” Wallis said. “He has demonstrated over several years a consistent ability to plan and design award-winning projects of every description.”

Verlander, who joined Wallis, Baker in 1977, has worked on such award winning projects as the Orange County Civic Center, the Stouffer Hotel at Sea World (formerly the Wyndham Hotel) and the Miami International Mall.

David H. Tatsumi & Associates is pleased to announce that its nationwide search for fresh, new and talented design personnel has been successful with the addition of Michael Garris to the landscape architectural staff. Mr. Garris has not only proven his skills as a landscape designer, but also as a professional artist. We feel that this combination of talents will complement our firm’s commitment to innovative designs. His primary role with the firm wilt be that of project manager. In this capacity, his responsibilities will include monitoring of day-to-day project activities, assisting with design concepts, coordinating with other consultants and directing the production of construction drawings.

Mr. Garris received a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. In addition, he spent six months studying landscape architecture at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Victoria, Australia. Prior to joining David H. X Tatsumi & Associates, Mr. Garris was a member of a Florida based landscape architectural firm.

Mr. Tatsumi, President of David H. Tatsumi & Associates, initiated the recruitment program for out-of-state candidates at the beginning of the year. He explains that his reasoning for selecting personnel outside of California was “to gain new perspectives for solving the Southern California’s landscape problems and to inject new and exciting design concepts.” He adds that “This way, we can keep our design ideas in a very dynamic state while discovering how clients’ problems are solved in other parts of the country.”

We are also pleased to announce the addition of Kelly Gresh to the staff of David Tatsumi and Associates. Ms. Gresh will be responsible for the firm’s marketing and public relation activities. Her primary responsibility is to assist the firm in its commitment to serve the client’s best interests. Her background is in business with an emphasis in marketing from California State University, Fullerton.

Stan Smith Associates is pleased to announce that Lisa A. Pierce, formerly with Van Dell and Associates, Inc., and EDAW, has joined their staff as Associate and Project Director.

Wade Alexander has joined Southland Sod Farms as a Sales Representative for Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Alexander has been active in both the retail and wholesale nursery industry for the past 12 years. Alexander and his wife Karen, have a daughter, Laura. The family makes their home in Laguna Hills, California.

Rankin Joins Summit. The appointment of John Rankin to the new position of Executive Vice President and Legal Counsel is effective this date.

Rankin, who will now assume many of the duties of Summit Furniture’s President, Wm. L. Sieberts, is expected to be named CEO of Summit Furniture Inc. during 1988 in order that Sieberts can concentrate his attention on product development and international marketing, and resume his direction of the parent company Sieberts Consultants.

Warren’s Turf Names National Sales Manager. Herb Hadley was recently named National Sales Manager of Warren’s Turf Nursery, Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL, according to Warren’s General Manager, Mike Holmes.

Hadley comes to this position with 16 years of experience in various agricultural businesses. He most recently was District Manager for the PAG Seeds Division of Cargill, Inc. In this position he was responsible for a sales organization in parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

Hadley holds a B.S. degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University where he also attended graduate school. Herb, his wife and two daughters, will continue to live in Yorkville, Illinois.

Warren’s Turf Nursery is a leader in sod production and sales in its primary markets of Southern California, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York City, Indianapolis, and Austin, Texas. Warren’s has been in the forefront in pioneering turf and landscape use of geotextile fabrics. The company is also well known for their turfgrass seeds and fertilizer products.