What began as one young man mowing lawns for neighbors in California’s Central Valley has grown into one of the most respected landscape and construction networks in the state. Today, Elite Team Offices is home to a family of companies that includes Elite Landscape Construction, Elite Maintenance and Tree Service, Elite Private Landscape, Stockbridge General Contracting, Stock Five Management, and Stock Five Development, all working under one unified mission: to care for their people, their partners, and their community while delivering excellence in every project they touch.
Every great company has an origin story, and this one starts in a Fresno City College classroom. “It actually started on a funny note,” recalls Sarah Souza, General Manager of Elite Private Landscape. “Our owner was taking a business class, and his professor told him, ‘You’re struggling in this class, but if you go out and start a business, I’ll give you a passing grade.’ He took that advice literally, started mowing lawns under the name Bulldog Landscaping, and never looked back.”
That small push launched what would become Elite Team Offices, a deeply rooted, homegrown enterprise that’s now a leader in the industry, with over 900 employees, six branches, and 12 satellite offices spread throughout California and beyond.
Though the scale has grown dramatically, the company’s heart remains grounded in the Central Valley. “It started in the Central Valley, and the community here is deeply important to us,” says Souza. “We’re not just building parks or landscapes; we’re creating spaces where families make lifelong memories. That’s a quality of life you can’t buy.”
Across every branch, division, and leadership team, the same theme echoes: opportunity. Whether someone joins the company with a shovel in hand or a degree in business, Elite fosters an environment where anyone can grow.
Few embody that better than Aldo Garcia, General Manager of Elite Landscape Construction. “I started with this company 20 years ago doing labor work,” he shares. “I got the opportunity to be a foreman, then a superintendent, and eventually a general manager. In this company, there’s no limit. Nobody will tell you it’s not possible. If you want it, it’s there, you just have to go for it.”
This sense of empowerment is baked into the company’s DNA. It’s not just a workplace; it’s a place where careers are built and lives are transformed. Many of the team’s current leaders have been with the company for decades, often following in the footsteps of their parents. And with hundreds of employees and millions in revenue, it would be easy for the leadership team to stay behind the scenes. But that’s not how Elite operates. “We have over 900 individuals working with us, and our owner is here almost every day,” says Garcia. “He’s still checking in, making sure everything’s going as it should. He’s part of the business.”
That personal involvement reflects a larger philosophy: people first, always. The company is selective in hiring, seeking not just skills, but mindset and values. “We hire with intention,” explains Souza. “We don’t just add numbers to the payroll; we look for people with goals that align with their career paths.” The company places a strong emphasis on ensuring that every team member feels valued, supported, and understood, not only in terms of professional development but also in maintaining their overall well-being and mental health.
Elite’s structure is as diverse as the landscapes it designs, with four specialized companies operating under the Elite umbrella. Elite Landscape Construction (ELC) focuses on union contracts and large-scale projects, including prevailing wage and government work. Elite Maintenance and Tree Service (EMTS) oversees tree care and enhancement projects, ensuring that every environment remains both beautiful and sustainable over time. Elite Private Landscape (EPL) caters to private commercial and residential installations and has recently expanded operations into Nevada, with plans to explore opportunities in neighboring states. Meanwhile, Stockbridge General Contracting specializes in utility solar construction, environmental restoration, stormwater pollution prevention, and parks and landscaping, creating public spaces and sports fields that strengthen community connections and enhance local quality of life.
Each company operates independently yet shares the same culture of growth and collaboration. “We all have different strengths,” says Luis Villarruel, Divisional Operations Manager of EMTS. “Our maintenance company, EMTS, has been growing an average of 30 percent a year. That’s through a mix of acquisitions and organic growth and we’ve done it without private equity,” he says. “It’s all about legacy, culture, and reinvestment.”
Villarruel explains that the company reinvests its profits directly into people and tools. “We’re constantly trying to ensure everyone has what they need to grow, from training to technology. We’re implementing new AI estimating tools, leadership programs, and systems that make operations easier. It’s all about empowering our teams.”
While rooted in tradition, Elite is forward-thinking in its approach. The landscape industry has evolved beyond simple turf and trees, and this company has kept pace. “In order to stay relevant in this industry, you have to adapt,” says Souza. “Landscape today means understanding masonry, retaining walls, hardscapes, lighting, irrigation systems, and even synthetic turf. To be a one-stop shop, we cross-train our employees so that any crew on any site can deliver the same Elite standard.”
That emphasis on cross-training not only improves quality but also deepens employee engagement. Workers aren’t just doing one job; they’re building versatile skill sets that grow with the company.
Perhaps one of the company’s proudest traditions is its annual participation in the Lawn & Landscape Top 100 summit, where it has steadily climbed the ranks since first appearing at #46 in 2018. Currently the company holds place #38. But unlike many competitors, Elite brings more than executives to the event. Each year, the company brings 10 to 12 team members, operational leaders who drive daily operations, to attend the show and take the stage in recognition of their collective achievements. That simple gesture has had a profound impact. “We make sure our people get the recognition they deserve. That’s what sets us apart,” the company believes.
Beyond business, Elite is making a tangible impact on the next generation of tradespeople. Through partnerships with State Community College Center District (SCCCD) that include Fresno City College, Clovis Community College, Reedley College, Madera Center, and Oakhurst Center, the company offers scholarships and internships, and even helps develop curriculum for construction-related courses. The company has also launched a construction class at Fresno City College covering essential skills, from proper use of PPE to tree care, with the goal of shifting the perspective from simply holding a job to building a lasting career. “We go beyond supporting our people—we support our community. Whether it’s through scholarships, expos, or high school tech events, we’re making sure young people see that there’s a future here,” says Garcia.
One of those success stories is an intern from Fresno State who joined the company thinking landscaping was “just planting trees.” After seeing the depth and creativity of the work, he fell in love with the field and decided to stay after graduation. “We were able to offer him a career where he can grow into a project manager,” Garcia says proudly.
Another intern, a Fresno State engineering graduate, joined as an intern, was later hired full-time, and even brought her husband into the company. “He started as a laborer and was promoted as a foreman of specialty installation, and she’s now one of our engineers,” says Souza. “We grow our people, and it really shows. From the top down, we understand if you grow, I grow, we grow.”
As the first female General Manager in the company’s history, Souza knows firsthand the importance of representation. “It’s not about me,” she says, “it’s about the perception and the doors that are opening for everyone who comes after me. When you think of construction, you don’t always think of women, but times are changing.” Her leadership marks a meaningful step forward not only for the company but for the industry at large, an industry long overdue for greater diversity and inclusion.
Elite’s commitment to community doesn’t end at the job site. Through its Spring Sing event, the company donates to local foundations and funds scholarships for students pursuing construction and landscape careers, while its outreach programs give students hands-on experiences in the field.
“Our goal is to change how people see this industry,” says Souza. “We’re showing young people that landscaping isn’t just a summer job; it’s a career that builds communities and creates beauty that lasts generations.”
With expansion plans underway, including a fifth branch and a goal to grow Elite Private Landscape from $30 million to $50 million in revenue by 2030, the company’s trajectory is impressive. But for everyone at Elite, growth isn’t just about numbers. The company benefits from repeat business, referrals, and loyal clients thanks to the care and attention they receive. The main challenge lies in ensuring that internal growth keeps pace with increasing demand, providing training and advancement opportunities quickly enough to uphold the company’s high standards. It’s a fortunate challenge, one that the company tackles with both enthusiasm and humility.
That’s not just a statement on a wall, but a lived philosophy, visible in every crew, every park, every partnership, and every career that grows from within the company.
“It’s gratitude,” Souza reflects, when asked what ties everything together. “Gratitude for our team members, our leadership, our clients, and our community. We know how fortunate we are and that’s what keeps us grounded as we keep growing.”
