BARRY SCHNEIDER, President

Barry is a partner in one of the most successful landscape architecture and construction firms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  His long interest in landscaping began during his childhood in Easton, PA, when he discovered a talent for growing plants.  While studying landscape design and contracting in Florida, Barry started his own residential design/build landscape company.  Wanting more challenges and excitement, Barry relocated to Atlanta to join one of the largest commercial landscaping companies in the Southeast.  While there, Barry was given the opportunity to move to the Washington, DC area and head a start-up design/build residential branch.  Barry grew this operation into a successful and profitable organization.

In 2002, armed with 25 years of experience which included his collective wisdom from his first solo venture and years with some of the biggest landscape contractors in the country, Barry knew he was ready to go out on his own again.  Partnering with Howard Cohen, Registered Landscape Architect, they founded Surrounds.  "Our goal at Surrounds," Barry say, "is to turn all of our customers in raving fans."  Barry oversees the business end of Surrounds, but still keeps in touch with his landscaping roots by regularly visiting the various job sites to ensure the work is completed with the high quality standard which is the Surrounds signature.

Barry has three daughters and is an avid sailor and snowboarder.

HOWARD COHEN, Vice President, Landscape Architect

In 2002, Howard joined forces with Barry to co-found Surrounds.  Howard says he came into his career somewhat by accident, but it was the best thing that ever happened to him.  He grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and thought he would like to be an architect.  Halfway through college, he concluded that although he loved the idea of architecture and buildings, his true calling was landscape architecture.  As a child, he grew cacti, tended a vegetable garden, pruned plants for people, and had a pretty good ability to draw.  "I was a landscaper," he said, "but I just didn't realize it."  Howard graduated with honors in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia and returned Baltimore.  He met Barry at a Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) meeting and took the opportunity to show off his portfolio of drawings.  Barry hired Howard on the spot and the two have been working together ever since. 

Howard has no one particular style, he prefers to accommodate his clients' desires.  He does believe, however, that suburban sites can be fashioned into unique properties with great individuality through creative landscaping.  Howard's award-winning work is often featured in magazines such as Home & Design, Landscape Architecture, and Washington Home and Garden.

Howard is married with two children and is an excellent biker and skier.

CHAD TALTON, Landscape Architect

It was a great day for Surrounds when Chad became part of the team.  After a few meetings, it was evident that Chad had the ability and high style to create the award winning quality environments that is the Surrounds signature.  Since joining Surrounds in the Fall of 2006, Chad has quickly built a reputation for himself with his artistic skills that enable him to transfer a clients dream into reality.  From the drafting table to field supervision, Chad has managed to focus on the integrity and details of the design in order to create the unique and beautiful vision of Surrounds environments.  Chad is a Registered Landscape Architect in both Virginia and Maryland.  

In his spare time, Chad likes to spend time with his wife and two dogs.  He also enjoys golf and snowboarding.

NITA BLIGHT, Office Manager

Nita brings a strong background of office management and accounting skills to the table.  After working for Barry and Howard at a previous company, they knew she was on the short list of people they needed to help make Surrounds successful from the start.  Nita joined Surrounds in 2003 working part-time helping with general office and bookkeeping tasks.  In 2007, the company had grown to a level where it only made sense to bring her on full time as the Office Manager.  According to Barry, Nita is "the glue" that holds the company together. 

Nita is active in her church, plays the piano, and enjoys working in her yard.

JOHN PEER, Project Manager, CLT

John has been in the landscaping business since his graduation from high school and has never lost his enthusiasm for the profession.  He says it's "instantly gratifying" to see a huge project come together and know "it will be there for a long time to come."  When John agreed to join Barry and Howard as they started Surrounds, they knew they were on the road to success.  John has a skill set that allows our landscape architects to be as creative and technical as they want.  They know that John will be able to figure out how to make it happen.  John is a Certified Landscape Technician -- a national program that tests and certifies applicants on a variety of technical landscaping subjects.

John loves the water, fishing, and boating.  He also volunteers a great deal of his spare time to helping other people improve their lives.

ELIAS DIONICIO, Project Manager

When Barry and Howard started Surrounds, they knew one of the key elements to success was to have Elias on board when they opened the doors.  Elias works hard to stay ahead of schedule and has made a name for himself by producing big jobs on time and with tremendous precision.  It takes real dedication to attend classes four nights a week after working all day, but that's the kind of spirit that Elias brings to everything that he does.

Elias enjoys spending time with his son, running, biking, and watching movies.