About Us

Alma Gardening Company LLC (A.G.Co.) is a family owned business with over 30 years of professional landscaping experience. Formed in 1982, A.G.Co. has grown from a residential gardening maintenance service provider to a commercial landscaping contractor serving local business areas, building management companies and individual homeowners throughout the west coast. As of January 22, 2014 A.G.Co.’s business structure changed from a sole proprietorship to a Limited Liability Corporation.

Alma Gardening Company LLC is owed by Santiago Gonzalez, Gustavo (“Gus”) Gonzalez and Ana Perez.  Santiago Gonzalez is the original founder and majority owner of A.G.Co..

Santiago Gonzalez has over 30 years’ experience in landscape industry including landscape maintenance, fertilization and irrigation. Santiago earned a C27-Landscaping Contractor’s License in 1982 and since has strived to stay knowledgeable in the field through continued education and additional certifications. Santiago is also certified as a Qualified Applicator from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and a Certified Arborist under the International Society of Arborists. Santiago supervises our permanently staffed sites and serves as a Horticultural and expert Landscape consultant to for our Property Management customers and other contractors.

Gus Gonzalez is Santiago’s oldest son. Gus began working with Dad at the early age of 16 and went on to lead his own residential gardening route under Alma Gardening Company shortly after.  Over the year’s Gus has followed in Dad’s foot-steps, developing a passion for what he does.  Gus has been licensed as a masonry contractor by the State of California and has served Los Angeles County residents for the past 20 years providing custom home remodeling work and landscape design and development.  Previously, Gus founded Pacific Coast Horticultural, Inc. (PCH), a landscape maintenance and hardscape company. As of January 2014, PCH merged with Alma Gardening Company to form A.G.Co. LLC. Gus holds certifications in landscape lighting, irrigation repairs, weather controlled irrigation systems, and water features (waterfalls and waterscapes).  Gus continues to stay updated on industry trends and is currently in the process of certification for Water Management through the California Landscape Contractors Association. Gus is responsible for managing all client relationships and leads A.G.Co. as Director of Operations.

Ana Perez is Santiago’s oldest daughter. Ana has been involved in the finances and business administration since the age of 14 when she began helping Dad with the company’s bookkeeping. Ana is the contract administrator for the company and has written all the company’s business contracts for the last 30 years. Ana holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University Northridge. Ana is a Professional Business Consultant and has worked as an Entertainment Finance and Accounting executive with 15 years’ experience in her field; Ana is a strong community leader and immediate past President of the National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter. Ana handles most of the company’s legal and financial matter and helps lead Alma Gardening Company as Director of Business Development and Contracts.

Experience

In 1985 A.G.Co. began its commercial business offering landscape maintenance services for Petree Properties in Glendale, California. This one year contract was for landscape maintenance for The Timbers, a set of apartment complexes in El Cajon, California. The Petree Properties contract was renewed annually for a period of 15 years and from this contract several offers developed, contributing greatly to the commercialization of the business.

In 1990 A.G.Co. was granted another major contract to provide landscape maintenance for the Valencia Fairways Homeowners Association (VFHA) in Valencia, California. A.G.Co. has renewed its contract with VFHA every two years for over 20 years. The Company has had contracts with Gab Property Management in Burbank, California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. In addition, A.G.Co. has participated in new home building projects throughout the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties. The company provides landscape consulting services and supervision to building management associations and other general housing contractors as requested.

Through collaborations with major contractors and sub-contractors A.G.Co. has established its presence within the landscaping industry achieving a positive reputation as a respected landscaping company. A.G.Co. continues to expand as a small business by continuously seeking new business opportunities.

Staff and Key Personnel

Santiago Gonzalez and Gus Gonzalez work out in the field supervising all of the work performed and employees to ensure quality delivery of services. Seven key employees make up the company’s staff who serves as gardeners and laborers to provide services for all current residential and commercial contracts. Of these, a full-time staff of 3 is on duty daily at the Valencia Fairways Homeowners Association to provide all landscape maintenance services; two gardeners provide services to our residential customers; and services to local business areas are provided by Gus who is always on call to respond to any urgent requests from building management personnel and business owners. Santiago spends most of his time supervising, training personnel and insuring that all landscape work is properly done in accordance with industry specification, city codes, and regulations. Ana Perez is the administrative officer responsible for all legal and financial matters of the company and insures that all company contracts are properly executed and all licenses are in full force and current.