Meet Our Team

Andrew Blanchford

President

Andy grew up in southeast Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree from Pennsylvania State University in Landscape Contracting. He is a Certified Plant Professional and is the only Certified Landscape Industry Manager in Montana. When not at work he has fun with his family. He also enjoys travel, trail running, skiing, and the great Montana outdoors.

Abby Dobson

General Manager

Abby grew up in Nome, AK. She attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins where she received her BA in Communication Studies. Abby began her career in administration and accounting in Denver before moving to Bozeman in early 2016. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and getting out in the great Montana outdoors with her husband and their two dogs.

Åsa Pape

Operations Manager - Garden Services

Åsa is a native of Sweden and the Operations Manager for our Garden Services team. She has a B.S. in Education from Uppsala University and taught in the public schools in Sweden. She also guided outdoor adventures for many years before moving to Bozeman in 2007. Here she found a passion for gardening and a great workplace at Blanchford Landscape Group in 2016. The mix of your gardens and our people is what she loves the most. When not at work, Åsa enjoys the great outdoors and time in the pottery studio.

Maddie Britt

Sr. Garden Manager & Garden Services Operations Assistant

Maddie was born in Iowa but grew up in Bozeman. She graduated from Bozeman High School in 2012 and chose the work and travel path through the years and landed at Blanchford in 2016. Starting with little to no experience but a drive to learn she has built her way up to project management. She loves being able to have a career that's untraditional and allows her to travel and play in the dirt. When Maddie isn't busting her butt at work you can find her in the mountains, dancing at a local show, or drinking coffee downtown.

Kyle Melehes

Build Production Manager

MaKaela Sandall

Garden Designer

MaKaela studied horticulture and landscape design at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Excited for the opportunity to explore a new place, she moved to Montana to start her professional career.
Her professional passion is creating functional spaces and experiences that encourage human interaction with nature.
Growing up on a farm in Nebraska MaKaela has always had an appreciation for the outdoors. She enjoys spending time outside with friends, family, and her dog, Scout. If not outside you can find her in a local coffee shop or baking a new recipe in her kitchen.

Carrie Rule

Garden Services & Holiday Decor Sales & Account Manager

Carrie realized shortly after receiving a BA in Speech Communication from Montana State University that the confines of an office job were too restricting. After four years in the corporate world, she returned to her Montana roots to pursue her passion for working outdoors where she landed employment with the USFS collecting plant data and fighting forest fires. Her love of plants and digging in the dirt ultimately led her to Blanchford Landscape in 2017. Her diverse experience includes native plant ID and mapping, floral design, interior plantscaping, garden center management, garden maintenance, and project management. She is an avid gardener and her flower garden was a featured property on the Bozeman Emerson Garden Tour. In the off-season, she can be found seeking out powder stashes at Bridger Bowl and beyond and mountain biking in the desert Southwest.

Chelsea Ley

Garden Services & Holiday Decor Sales & Account Manager

Born and raised on a vegetable farm in New Jersey, Chelsea grew up loving the outdoors and being in touch with nature. She then moved to Charlottesville Virginia where she attended college at the University of Virginia and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. This is where she developed her connection with the mountains (or hills). In 2020 Chelsea decided to move out West to really dive into the outdoors and play in the big mountains, while also creating a life with her partner and three pups. Working with people and the outdoors has always been a perfect combination for Chelsea. Being able to create the perfect outdoor space for clients to enjoy is what keeps Chelsea coming back for more.

Monty Tipps

Garden Services & Holiday Decor Sales & Account Manager

Growing up in small town Montana helped develop Monty’s love for the outdoors. After graduating from Montana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing, Monty knew he wanted a job that involved working with amazing people in the wonderful landscapes that Montana offers. When not at work, Monty enjoys riding his dirt bike, finding new places on foot, and hanging with friends. If he is not out enjoying one of these activities, you can find him with his Corgi, Mac!

Cameron Block

Irrigation Manager

Originally from Colorado Springs, Cameron moved to Bozeman to join the Blanchford team in 2020. He studied Microbiology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs before joining the landscape industry in 2015. In his free time, he enjoys running, golfing, snowboarding, and spending time with friends.

David Todd

Fleet & Facilities Manager

David has been in the Bozeman area for over 13 years, attending MSU and receiving a BA in Environmental Studies. He has been in the Landscape business for 10 years brings experience from all different aspects. David has been passionate about automotive power sports his entire life racing snowmobiles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATV’s and hot rods. He also enjoys the peace and quiet found in a boat floating a remote river or following trails leading deep into the Forest on his horses.

Ross Downer

Field Project Manager

Ross graduated from Old Dominion University in 2007 and immediately headed West. He then headed North, then West again, and after a few more stops finally arrived in Southwest Montana in 2012. Five years after "just a winter" of skiing, he found Blanchford Landscape Group. As someone who believes in the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature, Ross was a natural fit as Project Manager creating outdoor living spaces with BLG where he is able to use his passion to create while enjoying the beauty, weather and scenery that Montana has to offer.

Nate Stroncek

Field Project Manager

Tanner Gnauck

Nursery Caretaker/Inventory Manager

Tanner grew up in Bozeman, graduating from Bridger Alternative High School. Hungry for

botanical knowledge, he found his way to Blanchford. A fifth generation Montana native, Tanner is an avid Rockhound, Snowshoer and general outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys spending time at home with his partner, Tyler, pets and indoor plant collection.

Devin Beck

Garden Manager

Tyler Gnauck

Crew Leader

Originally from Anaconda Tyler moved to Bozeman in 2015. After trying different jobs she decided to take her love of flowers to a new level and found herself at Blanchford in 2022. When not digging around in the dirt you can find Tyler somewhere on a mountain trail, at home with her pets or out looking at neat rocks.

Meghan Fitzgerald

Crew Leader

Meghan grew up in Michigan, where she found a love for gardening. She’s worked throughout the United States in several different national parks and settled in Bozeman in 2018, starting with Blanchford this year! Outside of work, you can find her exploring with her dog, or working on stained glass projects.

Meg Gordon

Crew Leader

Meg is originally from Weare, NH and moved to Bozeman in 2022. She has a degree in Environmental Planning and a certification in Permaculture from Plymouth State University. After looking for a change in career and with a love of gardening, Meg found Blanchford! She enjoys creating beautiful outdoor spaces and a career that keeps her active and in tune with nature. When not working, Meg can be found doing yoga, tending to her veggie garden, snowboarding and skiing.

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