Meet The Team
Stuart is Blue Spruce's founder and chief operator. He holds degrees from Colorado State in Cultural Anthropology and Horticulture, as well as a certificate in Landscape Design from Front Range. Stuart has been working professionally in the field for over a decade and is an active member of the Colorado Master Gardeners. When he's not out working in the garden you can find him enjoying delicious craft beverages or making kimchee with his wife Katie who is a fermentation scientist.
Tessie has been gardening and landscaping in Colorado for over 15 years. After studying horticulture at Front Range Community College she spent 2 seasons working at Denver Botanic Gardens before moving to Fort Collins. Tessie has taken Native Plant Master classes and is constantly quizzing the rest of the staff on our botanical latin. Tessie is currently working on the development of our affiliated nonprofit the Blue Spruce Horticultural Foundation.
Kevin McKitrick
Assistant Foreman and Horticultural Technician
Kevin started at Blue Spruce as a Summer intern in 2021 and has since returned after finishing his Bachelors of Horticulture at Colorado State University. Kevin brings to the team a wide array of horticultural knowledge including extensive plant ID and characteristics skills useful in the field. Outside of work Kevin is an avid music critique and is always keeping up to date on geo-politics, he's also known to crack or joke or two while out with the crew.
Andrea Work
Director of Sustainability Permaculture Design
Assistant Gardener
Andrea originally hails from the land of Penn's Woods, she is a true horticulturist and an entrepreneur. On the Blue Spruce team she helps out in the garden maintenance division and is also helping to develop our permaculture and vegetable gardening capacities. After displaying an ethos of respect and care for the environment, Andrea was asked to become our director of Sustainability. In this role she will keep a constant eye on all facets of the business, analyzing and implementing ways in which the company can stay true to our values. Outside of work Andrea stays busy outdoors, growing, creating, and adventuring.
Ryan Weese
Head Foreman and
Project Manager
Ryan brings experience and wisdom to the company as a veteran landscaper of over 20 years. With backgrounds in organic agriculture, commercial landscape installation, and irrigation technology, his varied talents lend vast knowledge and expertise to the Blue Spruce team. Ryan grew up in both Wray and Greeley, Colorado before moving to Fort Collins in the early 2000's. Outside of work Ryan is a fan of bluegrass music, disc golf, hiking, and enjoying some of the local brews.
Makeeba Helms
Head of Permaculture and Assistant Gardener
Keeba came to Blue Spruce after a long stint in the service industry and a revelation that she wanted to leave a positive impact in the world through the lens of horticulture and plants. Though new to the field, she brings immense excitement, passion, and interest which helps to keep the team and company dynamic. In addition to being on the gardening team Keeba is helping to develop our permaculture and medicinal landscape divisions. Keeba has two young children whom she hopes to pass along the knowledge that she is gaining while working on the Blue Spruce Horticulture team.
