Red Leaf Development specializes in luxury custom pool and landscape design and installation. Backed by award-winning experience, a reputation for eloquent design, service-oriented performance, and a commitment to environmental consciousness, you can expect unique and artistic solutions that are both sustainable and inspiring.
Red Leaf Developments, Inc. was founded in 2005 by Paul Straus, a graduate of the demanding Landscape Architecture program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During his first job as a teenager working in the industry, Paul witnessed the challenges that clients faced: poor communication, incomplete work, unprofessional appearances, and missed deadlines. Paul created Red Leaf Developments as a solution to deliver an exceptional client experience that results in delivering an outdoor living environment that is second to none. Paul built the integrity of Red Leaf on lasting relationships - both with clients and his talented team. His dream of building a design-build firm that houses expertise under one roof has earned Red Leaf the Residential Design Awards in both 2013,2014 and 2015 from the Sierra Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Voted Roseville’s Best Landscape Design Firm in 2014, Red Leaf is living up to Paul’s early vision as a trusted solution in luxury landscape and pool design and installation.
Tracy is the client's first point of contact once your project starts construction. Tracy communicates between the client and design team how the client's finished products appear. This can range from material finishes and colors to plant selection. Tracy meets with our clients to show how finished products will look, provide them with alternatives, and moving decision deadlines forward. After discussing the options with the clients, Tracy relays their final decision to the project managers to ensure the correct finishes and materials arrive. Tracy relay's the questions and concerns of the client about the job site to the crew managers and ensures our crews keep job sites clean, friendly, and hospitable. In short Tracy is our client's anchor making sure their every need is addressed and managed to make their transition from their old yard to their new is as effortless as possible.
A.J. is our commercial construction consultant. He leads our commercial clients through every step of the construction process, guiding property managers and pool operators through design decisions while being mindful of the complex health and building codes regulating the greater Sacramento area. Drawing on a diverse repertoire of experience including military, transportation, viticulture and landscape design, AJ loves hard work, and prides himself on putting customer experience before everything else. With an ally like A.J. on your side, you can rest easy knowing projects will be done the right way, every time.
Nick manages the day to day activities of our construction teams and oversees all quality control and construction performed by Red Leaf. Nick pulls from his 10 years of pool and landscape building experience, his Certified Pool Operator license, and QAC applicator license to make our clients dreams a reality. His extensive knowledge in each aspect of the job site helps to maintain details on all jobs. Nick plays an integral part in recommending appropriate equipment for pool and landscape products and design that focus on saving energy while protecting the environment. He started with Red Leaf by working in the trenches to becoming COO. He has been a valued member of the team since 2008.
Francisco joined our team with his brother, Rafael, bringing tons of experience to the Red Leaf team. Francisco has been in the landscape industry for 20 years and brings extensive knowledge to our team in landscape and concrete.Francisco passion for excellence, efficiency, and giving our clients a great building experience makes him a valuable member to our team.
Brian joined our team after leaving the firefighting industry, where he continued to follow his passion for design and building swimming pools during his employment with the fire department. He comes to us with 15 years of pool and landscape design and construction experience because he had to come back to it full time as his career.Brian’s passion for design and building has lead him to have two projects featured in magazines and a great understanding of the design build process.
Rafael joined our team with his brother, Francisco, bringing just as much experience and knowledge in the landscape industry. Rafael has been in the landscape industry for 16 years and has been a foreman leading teams and projects for over 10 years. Rafael has been a part of every phase of construction Red Leaf offers and brings an attention of detail and care second to none.
Kari wears two hats as the Office Manager and Bookkeeper. With a diverse background in construction and finance, she brings a wealth of knowledge to commercial and residential projects Red Leaf handles. She is the client’s point of contact for contracts and billing while being responsible for the company finances and HR functions and ensures the office runs smoothly. She is a highly-organized problem solver with an eye for detail.
Eric leads the Pre-Construction team for Red Leaf Developments. The Pre-Construction team acts as a conduit between Sales and Operations; ensuring each project is organized and ready to be started. Eric’s responsibilities include residential and commercial estimating, providing project specific drawings and takeoffs for crews and subcontractors, RFI’s/RFP’s, and acquisition of project specific engineering and permits.
Eric has been with Red Leaf since 2016. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Eric’s high attention to detail, critical thinking and problem-solving skills make him a valuable member of the Red Leaf team.
If you’re ready to talk with us about a truly custom landscape, we’re ready to listen.