About Us
Gill’s Mission
In 1978, Sally Munroe and James Gill joined as partners to design and install residential and commercial landscapes in the Corpus Christi area. They soon consolidated their partnership by marriage and moved their growing landscape business out of their backyard. Gill Landscape Nursery (now Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.) was opened to serve retail customers in 1979. Since then, Gill’s has grown organically to become the trusted source for gardening advice, healthy plants, and quality landscape design and construction in the Coastal Bend. In 2018, Sally and James hired Jesse Jenkins as General Manager to begin making their transition to retirement. In 2022, Jesse purchased the company to carry Gill’s forward for a new generation.
As always, Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co. is dedicated to teaching successful gardening and bringing quality products and services to our community. We practice sustainable business ethics centered around respect and continued improvement.
Meet Our Management Team and Office Staff
Jesse
Owner and General Manager
A Northeast Texas native and longtime Austin resident, Jesse began working at Gill’s in the Fall of 2018. His love of nature and design attracted him to Gill’s, and his business experience makes him well-suited to manage the company. In Fall 2022, after 4 years as General Manager, Jesse purchased the company from Sally and James Gill. Jesse’s values align well with those the company was founded on and has earned a reputation for. He is leading Gill’s forward with a solid foundation and an amazing team!
Debbie
Buyer
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Debbie graduated from Richard King High School. She has been with Gill’s since 1995 as a salesperson and buyer and is a Texas Certified Nursery Professional. Debbie is always exploring new plant varieties and looking for the best quality plants available for you, our customers. She loves visiting with our customers about their garden interests and uses that knowledge to design & co-ordinate our in-store garden talks.
DeAnna
Garden Center Manager
DeAnna is our garden center manager for 39 years running! She managed our Alameda store for 29 years before moving to our Airline store in 2016. She loves container gardening and teaching children about vegetable gardening. In 2006, in her spare time (ha! ha!) she was named the Nueces County Coordinator for the Learning to Grow Program, installing over 300 vegetable gardens in schools from Agua Dulce to Port Aransas. She was awarded 2nd place Master Gardener Of The Year 2012 for the state of Texas. She is also a Certified Nursery Professional.
Wyatt
Garden Center Asst. Manager
Wyatt has been a hard-working member of the Gill’s team since 2015. He graduated from TAMU-CC with an art degree in 2018. Wyatt is passionate about organic gardening and building healthy soils. He also loves growing veggies and promoting wildlife through the use of native plants. When Wyatt's not gardening he loves all things outdoors including hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Kathy
Landscape Designer
A Corpus Christi native and graduate of Texas A&M, Kingsville, Kathy has been with Gill's since 1987. She is a certified board member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and member of Leadership Corpus Christi, class 24, as well as the Texas Certified Nursery Professionals and specializes in residential and commercial landscape design, estimates and installations.
Harry
Landscape Designer
After working in the garden center and gaining field knowledge working on landscape crews here at Gill’s, Harry apprenticed under James Gill to learn landscape design.Harry is a Corpus Christi native and knows our area and conditions very well. He brings his flexible and fun attitude to each project. He believes the landscape should match the style of the property and the owner’s lifestyle to create unity and practical outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed. His passion is to create something unique, tailored for each home or business.
Cameron
Landscape Designer
Cameron is a Corpus Christi native who studied in Italy while earning his degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M. After several years working in the Austin area, Cameron returned to Corpus Christi and joined the Gill’s team in 2020. Cameron started taking on landscape design and install projects of his own in Spring 2021 after spending some time assisting James Gill. Cameron is versatile and enjoys designing to suit the space. He likes to incorporate as many native plant varieties as possible in each landscape.
Ernesto
Landscape Designer
Ernesto joined Gills in 2017 as a Landscape Design Assistant and transitioned to Landscape Designer in 2022. He is a Corpus Christi native and a Texas A&M Kingsville graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, and he’s bilingual in Spanish and English. Ernesto has an eye for color and is a talented problem solver and estimator. He enjoys transforming your landscape to maximize the usability of the space.
Hidalgo
Production & Facilities Manager
A Corpus Christi native, Hidalgo graduated from W.B. Ray High School and Del Mar College where he studied horticulture. He has worked with Gill’s since 1992 in the nursery, on the landscape crew, and as foreman. Now, as Production & Facility Manager, Hidalgo co-ordinates work between our landscape and garden center department on a daily basis, manages our landscape equipment program and our garden center & jobsite safety program. On top of that, all physical improvements at our garden center are managed or done by Hidalgo.
Barbara
Bookkeeper
Barbara, our accountant, is Corpus Christi born and raised. We are very fortunate to have had her with us since 1994! She has been in the family for even longer than that – she worked for Sally Gill's dad at Munroe & Bass Civil Engineers for 10 years before joining Gill’s.
Stacy
Office Administrator
Stacy has been a valuable part of the Gill’s team since 2005. She’s an expert multi-tasker – she manages accounts payable, assists with receiving, keeps our plant signs looking good, and keeps our office organized and running smoothly. On top of all that, she’s the first to test new plants in her garden at home.
Abbey
Abbey came to Gill’s highly recommended! She spent time working at a plant growing operation and as a landscape installer for other local companies that Gill’s has a relationship with. Abbey is also an avid gardener. She loves caring for plants and she’s having fun sharing her knowledge with customers here at Gill’s.
Anthony
Anthony moved to the Corpus area by way of the East Coast in 2023 and joined the Gill's team. He's always got a smile on his face and ready to help with any task.
Andy
Andy has been with Gill’s since 2010 and worked as a machinist for 17 years prior. He also spent some time landscaping for Padre Staples Mall. Andy loves planting and watching vegetables bloom and grow. When not helping out around the nursery, he can be found playing golf and admiring the landscape, or spending time with his family.
Caleb
Caleb joined the Gill's crew in Summer of 2022 as Photographer and Content Creator. He came highly recommended by our friends in the Del Mar College Art Department. Caleb is not only a talented photographer, he's a plant person with a big collection of houseplants and succulents! In Fall 2023, he plans to continue his art education at TAMU-CC.
Courtney
Courtney moved down to Corpus from Dallas to study marine biology at TAMU-CC. She earned her degree in 2022. She’s interested in plant biology too – especially growing fruits and veggies. You’ll find her out and about in the garden center soaking up knowledge. When she’s not busy, she loves going to the beach.
Clarissa
Clarissa is a Corpus native who joined Gill’s in Spring 2023. She’s a nature fan – she earned her degree in Biology from TAMU-CC and she’s a birdwatcher! She enjoys reading and playing Dungeons and Dragons in her spare time. She’s enjoying learning more about plants and getting to know our regular customers.
Diane
Diane is a San Jose, California native, but we're sure glad she came to Texas! She started at Gill’s Alameda in 1998 until 2001 and then returned in 2006 at our Airline store. In between, Diane worked as a vet tech and is the unofficial Gill’s kitty caretaker. Diane’s gardening passion is for tropical plants. Ask her about them.
Diego
Diego joined the Gill’s team in early Spring 2021 when he was seeking a career change. He loves hiking and being outdoors and wanted to learn more about plants. He caught on fast! He’s a natural with helping customers and keeping the garden center looking its best.
Frances
Garden Coach
Frances is a Corpus native who worked at Gill’s briefly before moving to Austin and working at another garden center for several years. We are so happy to have her back that we created a new position for her – Garden Coach! Organic gardening and Texas native plants are her passion. She is available here in the garden center to design small landscape areas and coordinate installation.
Josh
Planting Crew Leader
Josh started at Gill’s in 2019 and is now leading our garden center planting crew, planting trees and installing small landscape areas. Customers rave about Josh's Josh has a degree in Art from Texas A&M Corpus and is a talented pottery maker.
Larry
Planting Crew
Larry is a Gill’s veteran who has worked different positions in the garden center for several years. Now he’s part of the garden center planting crew. He’s an avid gardener, tree planting expert, and a surfer! He shapes and repairs boards at his company, Arce Surfboards.
Kim
Since 1993 Kim’s kindness and devotion has helped us build our business. Her wealth of plant knowledge is a huge asset. Creating interesting displays using different colors and textures is just one of her talents. She’s an avid reader and collects roosters!
Kristy
Kristy began working at Gill’s in Spring 2023 after spending some time at another nursery and landscape company. She loves plants and she’s great at keeping things organized in our bedding department. In her spare time, she loves crafting and doing all kinds of home improvement projects. She says she enjoys working in the beautiful environment at Gill’s, especially the peaceful mornings when the birds are chirping and playing in the fountain.
Matt
Joining Gill's in 2009, Matt has a love for gardening that doesn't stop. He's constantly reading and learning and loves to share his passion with his customers. Matt is particularly interested in soil composition, ethnobotany, and vegetable and fruit production. At night, when the plants are in bed, he's a musician!
Mike
Mike has been with Gill's since 2007. Pre Gill's he was in the underwater service department in Long Beach, California, his home town. Mike has a special interest and extensive knowledge of local trees and is our go to guy for trees.
Ori
Assistant Buyer
Ori joined Gill's in 2017 and does it all in the Garden Center. In 2022, she became our Assistant Buyer. Her passion is houseplants. She's constantly researching and collecting houseplants, and finding cool new varieties to stock here at Gill's. Ori is a 2nd generation Gill's team member - her dad, Francisco, worked in the landscape department for many years.
Paris
Paris joined the Garden Center team as a cashier in Spring 2023. She’s currently pursuing her degree in Environmental Science at TAMU-CC, and she loves music and going to the beach. She’s enjoys working outside and working with gardeners – she came to the right place!
Paul
Paul joined the garden center crew in Spring 2023 and hit the ground running! He has previous landscaping experience and spent 4 years in the Marines. He’s excited to learn more about plants, and he’s enjoying discovering new plants every day. In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, spending time at the beach, and going to concerts with his wife.
Ricky
Ricky began working at Gill's in Fall 2022. Since then, his plant and gardening knowledge has taken off! He's a natural with customers and always happy to help. When he's not working, he enjoys spending quality time with his son.
Rose
Rose’s interest in gardening is what brought her to Gill’s in Spring 2020. We’re very glad to have her! Her passion for plants really rubs off on customers – she loves helping gardeners get what they need and hearing about their success. In addition to caring for her garden at home, Rose has 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 fishtanks!
Shelby
Shelby moved to Corpus Christi from Indiana in Spring 2022 and joined us at Gill’s shortly after. You’ll find her working in the greenhouse as a cashier, taking care of plants, and keeping things running smooth. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her American Bully, Diesel!
Meet Our Landscape Department Staff
Arnold
Arnold has been an excellent member of Gill landscape crews since 2004. He hails from Alice, TX and is a Carroll alumni. He loves the opportunity to “make everything look beautiful” at homes and businesses about town.
Brandon
Brandon hails from Victoria and Corpus and has been with Gill’s since 2011. He was an English Philosophy major in college and his previous job history pegs him a Renaissance man – he’s worked as a baker, a butcher, warehouse manager, video store clerk, garage door installer, administrative assistant, flooring estimator, and now a landscaper! He likes the opportunity for “artistic creation on a large canvas in a natural setting of beauty.”
Brandon
As our newest member of the landscape team, Brandon is enjoying learning all about creating landscapes. His favorite part so far is installing new grass and placing plants. When he’s not out working hard with the Gill’s crew, he’s spending time with his two daughters.
Cesar
Cesar joined the Gill crew in Summer 2022 after moving to Corpus Christi from Houston. Before Gill’s, he spent some time working with machinery and equipment in the manufacturing industry. Now, he really enjoys working with plants. Cesar fits right in!
Cyrill
Cyrill moved to Corpus Christi from Austin in spring 2022 and joined the landscape team here at Gill’s. He has prior experience in retail merchandising, but was looking for something more physical. He likes being outside and being active. He’s enjoying learning plants and landscape techniques as well as getting to know the crew and clients.
Damian
Damian came to Gill’s in Spring 2022 interested in learning more landscaping. He has previous experience doing commercial and residential pressure washing and some landscaping too. He’s enjoying working with a crew of experts here at Gill’s. He says its pretty amazing how much work can get done and how the day flows when you’re part of a good team.
Hayden
Hayden began working with the Gill's landscape crew in Fall of 2022 after spending several years working on a land surveying crew. He's eager to learn landscape construction techniques and has been great addition to the team. He enjoys playing guitar, skateboarding, kayaking, and hanging out with family.
Jimmy
Jimmy joined our team in 2014 after working many years in residential & commercial landscape installation here in Corpus Christi. Jimmy leads a crew and guides every project with his expertise in the field. He loves beautifying the Sparkling City by the Sea!
Juan
Juan has been a key part of the landscape team since 2020. He spent a brief time trying other jobs before deciding he really enjoyed landscape construction and re-joining Gill's in 2022. When he's not working hard, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his son and family.
Kevin
Kevin joined Gill’s in 2008 as a landscape crewman; today he leads a crew, working on landscape construction projects large and small. His other passion is music so don’t be surprised if you see him with his band entertaining the crowds on the weekend.
Mike
Mike has been a member of the Gill crew since 2013. He is a Corpus Christi native and King graduate. He is a key part of the landscape team, and says that he loves the rewarding feeling of turning a normal yard into a beautiful landscape.
Tony
Tony joined our landscape team in 2018 and hit the ground running! With his carpentry background, he quickly adapted to landscape construction and became a crew leader here at Gill's. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and playing guitar with his brother Kevin, who is a long-time landscape pro here at Gill’s as well!
As a former videographer in the Marine Corps, Anthony has a great eye. He likes starting a new landscape from scratch and seeing the transformation into something totally new and different. He also likes to go on adventures and travel to see new places!Our Core Values
Team
Quality of Work
Service
Fun
Passion
Respect
Improvement
Ownership
Employment
We are always looking for exceptional people. Download an application here, fill it out, and bring it to the garden center any time.