Kyle Knecht

Vice President / Landscape Architect

Ever since he was a young boy, Kyle has been interested in design and how things are built–as a landscape architect at Lorax Design Group, he is able to put this passion for design to practice. He brings a keen eye for detail, helping bring Lorax’s creative design concepts to life as successfully-built projects. When he is not at work, you can find Kyle spending time with his lovely wife and three young children. An avid sports fan, Kyle is always up to talk Kansas City Royals baseball or Chiefs football.

Jim Houser

Design Director / Landscape Architect

Jim’s experience and passion for design and natural systems has helped shape and develop a design process rooted in concept-based design – design with meaning. Jim’s project experience is an interesting dichotomy. His urban design solutions can be found in cities around the country: Pittsburgh, Orlando, Newark, Miami, Denver, and Kansas City. His work on assessing development and open space conservation opportunities has found Jim practicing on various ranch properties throughout the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming. Work on university projects has also taken Jim to great college towns such as Williamsburg, Bloomington, Pullman and Manhattan. Jim is inspired by the time spent outdoors and can sometimes be found at the fly-tying bench or fly-fishing a favorite river.

Shawn Kummet

Landscape Architect In-Training

For 9 years Shawn has worked for various design build companies in Minnesota and North Dakota. He has developed a large interest in problem solving and graphic illustration for these solutions. After graduating from North Dakota State University in 2012, he looks to apply what he has learned in the classroom to the professional field. Shawn loves sports and spending time outside. On weekends, he can found playing several rounds of golf.

Kelly Sledd

Office Manager

Kelly earned an Art degree from Kansas State University and continues to teach art classes. As the office manager for the Overland Park location, she handles everything from bookkeeping and building maintenance to client services and material selections. Kelly and her husband live in a charming town north of the river and when she’s not working, she loves painting, yoga and going out for coffee.

Education

• Kansas State University — Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2007
• Emmanuel House Seminary — Master’s of Spiritual Direction, 2009

Blair Kim

Landscape Architect In-Training

Blair graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University. She is a born and raised Texan, but is excited to start a new adventure in Kansas City. Blair is newly married to her husband Dae, who is an officer in the US Army and a medical student at KCU. In her spare time, Blair loves listening to podcasts, tending to her many plants, and playing with her three dogs: Casper, Dallas and Nana”

Becca Crumrine

Marketing & Office Assistant

With 16 years working as a registered nurse, Becca will continue to take care of people and make them smile in her position as Marketing and Office Assistant. Her duties are customer service, employee support and marketing efforts. She loves music, being outdoors, and family time. She takes pride in all she does regardless of how large or small the tasks may be. She is grateful to be part of the Lorax family and help support its growth.

Morgan Brouillette

Landscape Architect In-Training

Morgan is an Illinois native and graduated with a Landscape Architecture degree and minor in Metalsmithing from Iowa State. Since graduation, she has worked in the residential design + build industry and will continue to apply those skills as Lorax’s newest staff member. She’s an artist at heart and when she’s not it the office, you can find her making jewelry, in her garden or working on a creative project with her husband.

Taylor Stelter

Designer & Technical Assistant

Taylor grew up in the Kansas City area and is a graduate of The University of Kansas’s Industrial design program. Before joining the Lorax team he engaged his passions for design and skateboarding with Evergreen Skateparks, crafting skateparks across the country. With Lorax, Taylor continues to create compelling environments for people to enjoy. He spends his free time attending live music, skateboarding, and volunteering with MoKan Skates.