Meet The Team
Robyn Schmitz Owner / Founder / CEO
Robyn is a 2009 Graduate of the Kansas State University Department of Horticulture. She grew up in Southeast Kansas where she graduated from Humboldt High School. She was a Kansas State University Leadership Scholar and President of the Horticulture Club. She married Bret in 2009 and they have a daughter Ellie, born in 2021. Their family is completed by three adopted dogs.
Since founding High Prairie Outdoors in 2010, Robyn and her company have been selected by some of the most luxurious communities in the Mid-West to design, consult, and install landscapes. In 2015, High Prairie Outdoors was named as Kansas City’s Landscaping Experts by the national magazines of Elle Décor and House Beautiful.
Robyn has been selected as an educator to speak at several trade organizations about increasing the professionalism of the Landscaping Industry. In 2016, Robyn was hired to create a webinar series where she teaches other landscapers how to make Professionalism a Key Performance Metric in their company with her own analysis scoring sheet and 5 Part Process.
Robyn’s career in landscaping began humbly as a landscape crew member while she worked her way through college. As she learned and grew, she worked her way up from crew member, to crew lead, and eventually to designer for that company. Since Robyn has worked on both maintenance and installation crews, she has a clear understanding of what it takes to create top-notch spaces.
Bret Schmitz Owner / CFO
Bret is a graduate of Kansas State University with an accounting degree. Bret is also a legal C.P.A. He grew up in Baileyville, Kansas. and has eight older brothers. Prior to completing college, Bret played football at Butler County Community College where they competed for their divisional National Championship. Bret handles all of the accounting for High Prairie Outdoors and is also a large part of the Landscape Production team. Bret can often be found behind the scenes helping get everyone prepared for the day.
Bret’s landscaping career started while at K-State as he worked to help pay for college. Bret worked on an installation crew at the same company Robyn worked for. Bret’s unique combination of experience between accounting and construction makes him a valuable part of the team. Prior to 2016, Bret worked full-time doing financial analysis and accounting for some of the largest financial portfolios in the city. During that time, Bret spent his evenings doing the all-important accounting tasks for the High Prairie Team. In January of 2016, Bret joined the team full-time and has been a huge asset.
Morgan Brouillette Landscape Architect
Morgan leads the design and estimating team through her creative problem solving and extraordinary design talent, which she began developing in 2016 after obtaining her landscape architecture degree from Iowa State University. Morgan’s extensive experience in designing and specifying high-style outdoor spaces and pools allows her to offer unique solutions. Fun fact: She has a minor in metal smithing!
Morgan and her husband Jacob welcomed their son, Noah to their family in the fall of 2024.
Justin Taddiken Senior Estimator and Project Coordinator
Justin is from Salina, Kansas and a graduate of the Horticulture Program at Kansas State University. Justin has been in the field of landscaping since he was 16 years old. His broad experience in maintenance, landscape construction, and design make him a valuable resource for clients.
When asked why he loves design, Justin says:
“The drive behind my passion for design is to see the transformation at the end of a job and the joy it brings to those who will go home to it every day”.
Justin’s passion for the industry and helping people is unparalleled. Justin first met Robyn Schmitz in 2016.
Aaron Schmitz Construction Field Manager
Aaron’s experience with High Prairie Landscape began in 2010 when he spent his summers between college classes helping install landscapes. He’s been with the company since the humble beginnings of an old Jeep and a small trailer. Aaron’s education comes from Cloud County Community College and Kansas State University.
Today, Aaron is helping grow a successful landscape construction division. Aaron’s well-rounded experience makes him incredibly valuable to the team. He’s experienced with large and small equipment operation, landscape installation, and landscape maintenance. Aaron can often be found leading 3-4 talented installation crews. He is a certified ICPI Patio Installer and Certified SRW Retaining Wall Installer.
Aaron is a talented craft cocktail creator and enjoys fishing and watching the Kansas City Royals.
Emily King Pool Maintenance Supervisor + Lawncierge Pro
David Jeannin Irrigation Manager
David is a graduate of the Horticulture program at Iowa State University. David grew up in Lone Jack, Mo. and is an avid sports fan. He keeps the Landscape Maintenance division running smoothly and is exceptionally talented at trouble-shooting any problems that may arise. David’s mechanical acumen, attention to detail, and horticultural education make him another key team member.
David helped start the maintenance division for High Prairie Outdoors and has been with a huge part of setting the high standards we hold for landscape maintenance teams.
David is a certified Lawn and Landscape Chemical Applicator in Kansas and Missouri and a Certified Techniseal Applicator.
Bruce Moore Client Relationship Manager
Bruce is a Wichita, Kansas native and recent graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in Horticulture. He was also High Prairie’s first intern two years ago when he was a student. During that time, the High Prairie team was able to see just how spectacular Bruce is and how much potential he has to grow.
Bruce became a landscaper because he grew up in an active family who spent time improving their own landscape and he enjoyed it. Once he realized he could get a degree in horticulture, he knew that’s where his career would lead.
He’s inspired by helping people create spaces that people can enjoy for years to come.
When not landscaping, Bruce can be found enjoying the outdoors through hiking, kayaking, and attending various K-State and Kansas City sporting events. Bruce is also an experienced tennis instructor.
Paula Jackle Director of First Impressions
Paula graduated from Kansas State University in 2009 with a Horticulture Degree and grew up in Liberal, Kansas. Paula married her high school sweetheart, Dillen, in 2009 and they have two dogs in Olathe. Paula and Dillen are active members of their church community and Dillen is a teacher and football coach. Paula divides her time between creating impactful seasonal displays and supporting the HR needs of our growing team. Paula’s meticulous attention to detail and precise nature make her a natural fit in both areas.
Paula dedicates her time to learning and knowing the most innovative seasonal color developments each year and to bringing those new cultivars into Kansas City’s landscapes. For high impact, cultivar selection matters and Paula helps make that happen. This dedication has helped High Prairie Outdoors carve a niche for seasonal color that isn’t the “cookie-cutter” offerings of many competitors. We contract to grow our seasonal color so that we’re not shopping where everyone else is.