about TRC Outdoor
Founded in 2010, TRC Outdoor’s roots are servicing residential and multi-family properties. We work on the principle of providing value to our customers through communication, on time scheduling, and results-based performance. Prior to expanding in 2010 TRC operated for 15+ years servicing our own properties. That experience gives us the knowledge to understand what our customers require from their own landscaping service. We have grown from a small two man shop in Brentwood to two locations in Fenton and Chesterfield and a staff of over 50.
About the President Chris Rhodes
Chris Rhodes, a St. Louis native, has always considered the city his true hometown. His passion for the outdoors began at a young age, when he started cutting neighbors’ lawns long before he was old enough to drive. A graduate of Chaminade College Prep, Chris often raced home from school to work late into the evening, building the foundation for what would become his career. He went on to attend DePauw University, where he earned degrees in Economics and Conflict Studies.
Before founding TRC Outdoor, Chris gained valuable experience working for other businesses—learning not only best practices but also the pitfalls to avoid. Carrying these lessons forward, he built TRC Outdoor on a vision of delivering superior service at a fair value. Chris remains grateful for every opportunity to serve clients and is proud to lead a company committed to excellence in outdoor living and site work.
Meet our Team
Matthew Daniels
Matthew started in landscaping in 2010 and spent nearly a decade running his own company before joining TRC Outdoor in early 2024. He works closely with clients from first contact to final walkthrough, making sure every detail is right. You’ll often find him on-site keeping projects on track and supporting the crew. His commitment to quality and reliable service makes him a key part of the team.
Sarah Olmstead
Sarah is TRC Outdoor’s plant and tree specialist, with a degree in Horticulture from Southeast Missouri State University. She holds certifications including CPSI, AFO, ISA Certified Arborist, and Certified Organic Landcare Professional. Sarah works closely with clients to design healthy, eye-catching landscapes and collaborates with crews on-site to ensure proper placement and long-term care.
Joe Viehman
Joe brings over 15 years of industry experience to TRC, having joined our team in 2019. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Missouri State and a Management degree from HEC Liège in Belgium. Joe’s contributions to TRC include 3D design, sales, project management, and customer relations.
Gretchen Schmidt
Gretchen has a Masters Degree in Public Policy Administration and spent most of her career doing financial and accounting work for non-profit organizations. When her brother Chris asked her to join the team at TRC a little over four years ago, she happily made the switch to the public sector. She’s currently tasked with doing the accounting, bookkeeping and IT Systems work at TRC and other companies in the TRC family.
Emilie Montoya
Emilie has been with TRC Outdoor since 2016 and plays a key role behind the scenes as Office Manager. She keeps daily operations on track, handling scheduling, work orders, and communication between crews and clients. She also manages vendor relationships, processes payments, and supports HR, helping both the office and field teams stay organized and running smoothly.
Jane Sharp
Jane has been in the landscaping industry for 20 years, 11 of which she spent running her own landscaping business. In 2019, she joined the team at TRC and has been designing and creating beautiful projects ever since. Jane thrives on engaging with clients, regardless of project size, and finds immense satisfaction in transforming their visions to reality. Her passion for creating inspiring landscapes makes her an invaluable member of the TRC team.
Julia Knoll
Julia joined TRC Outdoor in June 2024 after earning a BA in Strategic Communication and a Marketing minor from Miami University. As Marketing and Social Media Manager, she runs TRC’s social channels and manages marketing across the TRC family of companies. Her work spans paid search, print ads, content creation, and community outreach. She also photographs completed projects to showcase TRC’s work online and in print.
Joey Venturella
Joey joined TRC Outdoor as Chief Financial Officer in April 2025. He holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and began his career at EY before moving into financial leadership roles at Centene and FleishmanHillard. Joey now oversees the financial operations of TRC Outdoor and its affiliated companies.
Jason Reilly
Jason joined TRC Outdoor in 2025 after earning a BA in Accounting from Westminster College, with minors in Finance and Mathematical Data Science. He supports daily operations and assists with invoicing, municipal coordination, and field services for clients across the St. Louis area. Jason also works closely with Emilie on a range of day-to-day tasks that keep the team running smoothly.
Local Partnerships
Preferred Partnerships
Soake Pools
TRC Outdoor is a preferred partner of Soake Pools, the leading plunge pool provider. Learn more about adding a Soake Pool to your outdoor living space.
Sister Companies
