Meet Our Team – TERRAFIRMA
For nearly 50 years, the outstanding experience and qualifications of our team makes all the difference. Our success in timely completion of thousands of projects since 1977 is directly attributable to our expert staff. Take a minute to look at the excellent credentials of our key landscape design & build players.
Dave Silverman
President
Dave Silverman, President
Dave founded Terrafirma in 1977 as a multi-disciplinary design/build landscape architecture firm, and has developed the company into a reliable full service landscape and construction company. Dave oversees day to day operations for all aspects of the company including finances, sales, design, employee supervision, and company acquisitions.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
City College of New York- Bachelors of Architecture
University of Illinois- Masters of Architecture
University of Michigan- Masters of Landscape Architecture
Registered Landscape Architect
Licensed Residential Builder Salesperson
CONTACT INFO
dsilverman@terrafirmalandscape.net
Eric Patterson
Vice President
Eric Patterson, Vice President
Eric joined Terrafirma in 2001 as a Sales Manager and has more than 20 years of landscape construction sales experience. In 2006, Eric purchased 50% ownership of Terrafirma and now assists in overseeing the day to day operations with David Silverman while continuing to design and sell large landscape projects.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Ohio State University- Bachelors of Science in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
University of California San Diego – Courses in Semi-Arid Horticulture and Botany
Licensed Residential Builder
Licensed pesticide applicator
CONTACT INFO
eric@terrafirmalandscape.net
Dennie Peters
Director of Operations
Dennie Peters, Project Manager, Sales
A second generation landscaper, Dennie joined Terrafirma in 1992 while attending Eastern Michigan University. Dennie manages the day to day operations for landscape and site work projects while managing the day to day activities of our shop and yard.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Eastern Michigan University
Licensed Residential Builder
Certified by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
Doreen White
Administrator
Doreen White, Administrator
Doreen joined Terrafirma in 2008 with more than 25 years of industry experience in Accounting and Administration. She manages all day to day activities for our office while leading our customer service response team. Doreen also coordinates the scheduling for our Sprinkler Service and Landscape Lighting departments.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Henry Ford Community College- Business Degree in Accounting
Jackson College- Accounting/Financing/Tax Prep
Continuing Education Courses
Bill Lytle
Design, Sales, Project Manager
Bill Lytle, Design, Sales, Project Manager
Bill joined Terrafirma in 2008 bringing with him over 30 years of residential and commercial landscape construction experience. Bill oversees our Commercial Landscape Sales division while providing residential design and estimating duties. Bill also manages the day to day operations for commercial and large scale construction projects.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Michigan State University- School of Natural Resources
Bachelors of Science- Horticulture
CONTACT INFO
bill@terrafirmalandscape.net
John McBride
Design, Sales, Project Manager
John McBride, Landscape/Hardscape Design, Sales, Project Manager
EDUCATION BACKGROUND:
Lansing Community College
Applied Science Degree – Landscape Architecture
CONTACT INFO
jmcbride@terrafirmalandscape.net
Rick Sinkevics
Design, Sales, Project Manager
Rick Sinkevics, Landscape/Hardscape Design, Sales, Project Manager
Rick joined TERRAFIRMA in 2024, with extensive experience in the entrepreneurial space. Rick focuses primarily in residential landscape design, estimating and sales.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Oakland Community College
Associates of Applied Science – Technical Science
Associates of Applied Arts – Fine Art
CONTACT INFO
rick@terrafirmalandscape.net
Marc Jobe
Project Manager, Sales
Marc Jobe, Project Manager, Sales,
With more than 45 years in the green industry, Marc brings extensive experience and industry knowledge. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to TERRAFIRMA for a second tour, beginning July 2025.
His areas of expertise include:
Commercial snow removal operations
Commercial landscape management
Landscape project management
Residential landscape management and design
Turfgrass management
Remediation of insects, diseases, and invasive species in turf systems
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Michigan State University – College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Bachelor’s Degree – Landscape Horticulture with Design
Associates Degree – Applied Science
CONTACT INFO
mjobe@terrafirmalandscape.net
David Fitch
Horticulturalist & Property Maintenance Manager
David Fitch, Horticulturalist & Property Maintenance Manager
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Mississippi State University – Department of Landscape Architecture
Bachelors of Science – Landscape Contracting
State University of New York – Cobleskill
Associates in Applied Science – Environmental Design
State of Michigan Certified Pesticide Applicator
Chris Kvatek
Senior Irrigation Foreman
Chris Kvatek, Senior Irrigation Foreman
Chris has been a part of TERRAFIRMA since 1996. His irrigation career spans over 22 years. He has a thorough knowledge of all aspects of irrigation design, installation and service. Chris leads by example to achieve the successful completion of irrigation projects along with a lead role in our snow removal operations.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Eastern Michigan University
Bachelors of Science – Sports Medicine
CDL Class A License
Sara Lytle
Administrator
Sara Lytle, Administrator
Sara joined TERRAFIRMA in 2018 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration with a minor in Business from the University of Toledo. Having grown with the company throughout her career, she oversees accounts payable and office procedures, helping keep daily operations organized and running smoothly.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
University of Toledo – College of Health and Human Services
Bachelors of Science – Healthcare Administration with a Minor in Business
Meghan Labra
Architectural Design, Photography, Marketing
Meghan Labra, Architectural Design, Photography, Marketing
Meghan studied architecture and design at Lawrence Technological University and began her career working in small design-build offices. She later joined the University of Michigan–Dearborn in Project Management for Facilities Management, all while successfully operating her own small business for over a decade.
Joining TERRAFIRMA in 2022, Meghan is part of the design department, where she supports the landscape sales team through architectural drawings, renderings, project photography, and marketing initiatives.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Lawrence Technological University – College of Architecture and Design
Bachelors of Science – Architecture and Design
Natalie Mathers
Administrative Assistant
Natalie Mathers, Administrative Assistant
Natalie joined TERRAFIRMA in 2024. She’s an Adrian College Graduate with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Natalie played collegiate-level softball and now coaches softball in her free time. She enjoys quality time with her friends & family along with helping others in any way she can.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Adrian College – Teacher Education Department
Bachelors of Science – Elementary Education
