Meet the team.

EILEEN MICHAELS — General Manager

Eileen started the company in 1988. She graduated from The University of Massachusetts and received an MBA from Boston University. After working in management for many years, she set out in 1988 to do something totally different by starting a landscaping business. Her love of plant life and problem solving were a good match for customers who were uncertain of how to redo their yards. Before too long, business was booming. Eileen attended Radcliffe Landscape Design program, RCC Horticultural program, numerous seminars and workshops and passed the voluntary certification test for landscape professionals in Massachusetts (MCLP).

GEOVANI AGUILAR — Construction Project Manager

Geovani was born in El Salvador and came to the U.S. in 1994 unable to speak any English. Starting off as a laborer, he worked his way up the ladder from first line Supervisor to Operations Manager and now to Construction Project Manager. He’s attended numerous training seminars in pond building, tree climbing, rock wall building and lighting. He is certified by ICPI as a concrete paver installer and certified by NCMA as a segmental retaining wall installer. Geovani teaches classes to Spanish speaking adults at the Arnold Arboretum. As a crucial member of our Leadership Team, he is presently working toward certification as an Arborist.

CAROLYN EDSELL-VETTER — Designer & Horticulturist

Carolyn got the “green” bug as an Americorps volunteer at the East Bay Conservation Corps in Oakland, CA. She started with A Yard & A Half in 2000 as a maintenance laborer while she finished up her M.Div. A Massachusetts Certified Horiculturist, graduate of UMass Green School, and a NOFA-Accredited Organic Landcare Professional, she has also studied at the Landscape Institute. Carolyn enjoys helping customers to develop their outdoor spaces to meet their changing needs. She is passionate about sustainability and sacred spaces. She teaches design and site assessment courses for the Boston Master Urban Gardeners program and NOFA, and serves on the board of the Community Outreach Group on Design.

EULALIO GUEVARA — Property Maintenance Project Manager

Eulalio was born in El Salvador and came to this country ten years ago. He began his career with A Yard & A Half in the spring of 2008 and quickly adapted to the job of maintenance project manager. The best part of the job he says is “admiring the gardens after the spring clean up and the way a property can change with a simple tree and shrub pruning or a correctly mowed lawn.” Eulalio is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Green School.

LAUREL HALPIN — Office Manager

Laurel will greet you when you call. She keeps the office running smoothly and will be the liaison between you and your project manager. Laurel is a graduate of Northeastern University and brings with her many years of management experience.