Meet the Passionate Team Behind Your Dream Landscape
As the owner of Rooted, I can’t express enough how vital our team is to every aspect of what we do. Each member brings their unique skills, creativity, and dedication, making them the heartbeat of our projects. From brainstorming sustainable designs to executing them with precision, their hard work and passion shine through every step of the process. I truly believe that the success of Rooted is a direct reflection of their commitment and talent. They are not just employees; they are the foundation of our vision, they are friends, and I am deeply grateful for their role in bringing our clients’ outdoor sanctuaries to life.
Dawn Barr — Owner & Landscape Designer
Dawn holds a Landscape Design Certificate from Northwestern University and brings over 18 years of expertise in landscape design and installation to her work. She is passionate about designing beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces that inspire people to spend more time outside, enjoying nature. In addition to her professional pursuits, Dawn is passionate about vegetable gardening, homesteading, backpacking, and creating homemade organic soaps. She is also a wife, a proud mother of five, and caretaker to a variety of farm animals, embracing a lifestyle deeply connected to the outdoors and sustainable living.
Jesse Barr — Behind-the-scenes Support, Arborist, and “Equipment Guru”
Jesse brings valuable expertise and support to Rooted, balancing his full-time role with the Naperville Park District with his contributions to the team after hours. His professional background includes maintaining natural and native landscapes, as well as the installation and care of trees, shrubs, and ponds. Additionally, his extensive knowledge of equipment adds significant value to the operations at Rooted. Outside of work, Jesse enjoys painting, photography, and working on carpentry projects and cars in his garage, showcasing his creativity and technical skills.
Gil Chavez — Crew Foreman/Machine Operator
With over 40 years in the landscaping industry, Gil brings a level of experience, precision, and leadership that is truly unmatched. He plays a key role in every project we take on—not just in the field, but behind the scenes as well. From coordinating crew members and organizing materials and tools to managing trucks and keeping schedules running like clockwork, Gil is the one making sure everything flows smoothly from start to finish.
Gil’s technical expertise is just as impressive. He’s a true craftsman when it comes to working with natural stone and clay brick, and his ability to build beautiful, functional patios, retaining walls, dry streambeds, and outdoor kitchens is second to none. He has a deep understanding of grading and elevation challenges and can solve complex layout issues with calm confidence. His plant knowledge is solid, too—and he always seems to know exactly where to source the best materials.
But what truly sets Gil apart is his unwavering commitment to client satisfaction. He leads with intention and pride, always keeping the client’s vision front and center. His attention to detail, strong work ethic, and laser focus on quality make him the kind of crew leader you hope for but rarely find. Gil doesn’t just get the job done—he makes sure it’s done beautifully, efficiently, and with care. We’re incredibly grateful for the steady leadership, knowledge, and heart he brings to Rooted Outdoor Living.
Julio Valadez — Crew/Driver/Machine Operator
Julio is a dedicated crew member who shows up ready to work hard and give his best every single day. He brings a strong work ethic and takes real pride in his craftsmanship, which is evident in everything he does. With hands-on experience in both planting and hardscape installation, Julio has become a go-to team member for natural stone and brick paver work. He has a great eye for detail and a steady hand, especially when it comes to building features like outdoor kitchens, grill surrounds, and other stone elements that require precision and patience.
One of the things we appreciate most about Julio is his willingness to grow. He’s always open to learning new skills and recently has been stepping up to learn more about operating machinery and equipment—never hesitating to get behind the controls when needed. His enthusiasm for learning makes him an even more valuable part of our crew.
In addition to his work on site, Julio helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes by driving our second truck and making sure tools and materials arrive exactly where they need to be. He’s dependable, conscientious, and a true team player—always willing to go the extra mile to support the crew. We’re lucky to have Julio on board and grateful for the energy, skill, and dedication he brings to every project.
Daniel Ortiz — Crew
Daniel is new to Rooted Outdoor Living this year, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on board. He came highly recommended by our foreman, Gil. Daniel jumped right in and has already proven himself to be a hardworking, knowledgeable, and respectful team member who brings a great attitude to the job site every single day.
One thing that stood out right away is his skill with natural stone. Daniel has a great eye for detail and precision—whether he’s laying a flagstone patio, mortaring a retaining wall, or crafting a built-in grill that looks like it grew right out of the landscape. He works with stone like it’s second nature, and it shows in the quality and beauty of his work.
We’re thrilled to have Daniel as part of our crew this season and can’t wait to see all the beautiful spaces he helps bring to life. Here’s to a fulfilling and creative 2025 season with Daniel on the team!
Gwen Schretter — Intern
Gwen is spending the summer with us, diving into all things Rooted. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Sustainability and is currently studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia. From the very beginning, she jumped right in, and it’s clear she’s going to be an awesome addition to our team over the next few months. She’s highly motivated, full of initiative, extremely creative, and totally game to help wherever needed—whether that’s on jobsites, in the design process, behind the scenes with social media, or running around picking up plants and materials. It’s especially fun having her here knowing she’s passionate about sustainable living and dreams of owning her own design/build firm someday. In her free time, Gwen loves spending time with family and friends, going on long walks, listening to audiobooks, and playing Sudoku. We are so excited to have her on our team!