Meet the team

Award Winning, Elevated Landscapes

Designed With A Purpose

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.

Paul Straus

CEO

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.

Nick Conway

SR. PROJECT MANAGER

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 15 years of pool and landscape building experience. His extensive knowledge in every 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 become Sr. Project Manager. He has been a valued member of the team since 2008.

Michael Parrish

PROJECT MANAGER

Michael joined the Red Leaf Team in 2022 as a Project Manager. Michael spent several years building pools in the Reno area. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of jobs involving pond management and rural irrigation systems. Michael has many years experience in building client relationships. He enjoys the modern approach and attention to detail that Red Leaf offers to their clients.

Alicia Radov

Commercial PROJECT MANAGER

Alicia joined the Red Leaf team in 2021. She is a Project Manager for the Commercial Division.Alicia spent 14 years in the fire protection industry in various roles including Administrator, Schedule Coordinator, Project Manager, and Estimator for fire sprinkler and fire alarm install,repair, and inspection departments. As a commercial project manager, Alicia bridges the communication gap between the client and field, making sure that both sides have all the information they need to produce a quality, aesthetically pleasing and code compliant project.

Brittany Nutter

Office Manager & Bookkeeper

In 2024, Brittany became an integral part of our team,taking on the dual role of office manager and bookkeeper. With a solid foundation in finance and extensive experience in customer service within the construction industry, Brittany serves as the primary liaison for clients in all financial matters. She is dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication and fostering understanding when it comes to billing and payments.

In addition to her financial responsibilities, Brittany efficiently handles human resources functions and oversees the smooth operation of our office. Her multifaceted role brings immense value to our entire team, contributing to the overall success of our organization.

Brian Sheley

Sales Manager & Builder Relations

With over 20 years of experience in the building industry, Brian has a deep knowledge base in all aspects of the design and construction process on both single family and multifamily projects. Brian joined Red Leaf in 2023 as Sales and Business Development manager and bridges the gap between the customers needs and Red Leaf solutions. Brian's high level of communication and interpersonal skills along with his ability to problem solve and his drive to create the best experience possible make him the perfect point of contact for all of Redleaf's customers.

Sheri Rojas

Precon manager & Coordinator

Sheri joined the Red Leaf team in 2023 as the Pre Construction Coordinator.  She works to ensure each project need from sales to construction is prioritized to meet every deadline and that each member of our Pre Construction team stays on track to meet those deadlines.  Overseeing both residential and commercial projects, she works with the design team to capture the heart of the clients’ wishes in all of our designs while driving the company goals, standards and financial metrics.  

Sheri has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design from California State University, Sacramento.  In addition to her love of great design, she contributes strong organizational and problem-solving skills, contributing to the team focus of creating an amazing design and build experience for every client.

Edoardo Taroni

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Born and raised in Italy, Edoardo moved to the United States in 2007 with a desire to explore new opportunities and challenge himself. After settling in the Los Angeles area, he discovered his passion for landscape architecture; a field that combines his love for nature and his creative talents.

Edoardo pursued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he graduated in 2011 with a degree in landscape architecture.

As a landscape designer, Edoardo blends his Italian roots with his California experience to create unique and captivating designs that complement the local landscape. His work is characterized by attention to detail and a deep understanding of the interplay between plants,architecture, and the environment.

Edoardo's love for the natural world and passion for design have led him to a fulfilling career as a landscape designer. With over 10 years of experience in the field, he made his new home in the Sacramento area, joining Redleaf Developments as the team Landscape Designer.

Laura VanScoy

Project Coordinator

Laura joined the Red Leaf team in 2019. Laura has been in the pool industry since 2005,starting out at SCP Distributions. Her strong business skills from SCP have successfully transferred over to Red Leaf, adding to the success of the company.

She is a pivotal member of the Operations team for Red Leaf Developments. She drives the financial goals to keep the company moving forward each week. Laura’s responsibilities include residential and commercial job scheduling to achieve revenue and margin goals. She also assists in managing material and subcontractor procurement. Her knowledge and experience in the industry make her very valuable to the Red Leaf team.

ERIC FRIZZEL

Commercial Design PM & Sr. Estimator

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 is responsible for managing design deadlines, residential and commercial estimating, providing project specific construction 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.

Aaron hampton

Swiss Army Knife

Aaron is a seasoned professional in the landscape industry with over 7 years of experience.Since joining the company in 2021, he has become a pivotal force in streamlining project workflows. His expertise lies in systems development, enabling a seamless connection between the Pre-Construction team and Operations. He specializes in crafting tools that facilitate the smooth transition of projects from concept to completion. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for efficiency, he is dedicated to elevating the company's processes and ensuring each project reaches its full potential.

Gino Polastri

Sub Procurement
Specialist

Gino has been a team member of Red Leaf since2017. He currently works as the Sub Procurement Specialist. Gino spent 10 years previously coaching college football, being a leader and recruiting the best individuals to fill positions on his team. Very similar to what he does as a Procurement Specialist. Looking for the best qualified Subcontractors to work along with Red Leaf Developments that share the same beliefs and work ethic.

Samantha Davis

Material Procurement Specialist

Samantha joined Red Leaf in 2022. She is the Material Procurement Specialist, she started with Red Leaf as a Client Advisor.Prior to Red Leaf, she spent 5 years working for a company that wrote the standards for Architectural Woodwork. That is where she realized she has a passion for construction. She uses her skills to build relationships with the vendors to ensure we are using the highest quality materials on the market.

Jeff Woodward

Project Manager

Jeff has been in the landscape design and construction business for over 30 years. His extensive experience in the industry brings a passion for excellence and attention to detail with a keen eye for design characteristics in our landscape and pool construction projects.

As Project Manager, Jeff communicates between the client and design team throughout the project; finalizing material decisions, colors and plant selection. He is also responsible for communication between our RLDcrew, subcontractors and clients on every aspect and detail of a project,ensuring design integrity and the highest quality of work.

Jeff Middlebrook

Project Manager

Jeff started with the team in 2023. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Horticulture, and has been involved in both the landscape and nursery industries for 35 years. Jeff has worn many different hats through out his career, and his diverse skill set allows him to build anything we can dreamup. His passion for understanding and building quality projects, as well as his ability to communicate with clients makes him a great asset.

ERIk Reyes

Landscape Designer

With a foundation in landscape architecture and a commitment to enhancing outdoor spaces, I bring over five years of experience to the team. A graduate of the University of California, Davis, my journey in landscape design began with a deep-rooted passion for plant design and a dedication to crafting environments that enrich lives through relaxation and entertainment. My portfolio spans public and commercial projects, where I've honed my skills in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. I'm driven by the belief that thoughtful design can positively impact communities and ecosystems alike. Joining Red Leaf Developments, I'm excited to continue translating my vision into reality, enriching landscapes one project at a time.

Kimberly Castellano

Warranty Manager

Kimberly joined the Red Leaf team in 2022 as the Warranty Manager. She has over 13 years in customer service and scheduling within the service industry. Her previous experience has allowed for a smooth transition into our warranty department as she is able to utilize her relationship building and problem solving skills when a warranty issue arises. She is the point of contact once all projects close, commercial and residential. She ensures all warranty items are handled in a timely manner and up to Red Leaf's standards.

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Let's Talk About Your Dream Landscape

If you’re ready to talk with us about a truly custom landscape, we’re ready to listen.