Meet the Team

Assistant Sales Manager

Francisco is a graduate of the historic Phoenix College, but originally from Fresno, CA. We’ve had the pleasure of having him on our team for over 9 years. He’s earned such a positive reputation in the area, that complete strangers will come up to him and want to talk about plants. Everybody bonds with Francisco – his wife, 2 kids, 2 huskies and 2 love birds.

Paul Behnen

Brand/Creative Director

Paul received a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis and became an ad man, rising to creative director in New York of famous brands, including the Super Bowl hit E*Trade Baby. When he and his wife moved to Phoenix, his landscape passion won over. Today, his marketing experience is at work on our brand, bringing vision to everything from our website to our packaging.

Tony Sereno

Innovation Lab Manager

A native of Washington DC, Tony attended ASU and joined us over 2 years ago. Before that, he was an optician for 18 years in Phoenix. His perfectionist background and eye for microscopic detail was perfect training for our Innovation Lab. After a stressful day of utilizing his herbivicus charm in the lab, he unwinds at home by gaming. His favs are Madden and War Zone.

Tim Baer

Manager

A key factor to our success is Tim. He’s been with us for over 14 years, with a total 28 years in the business. He brings the definition of a “can-do” attitude. Tim knows every nuance of how to manage farms, fields, and people. Efficiently and with a sense of humor, which is his secret M.O. Ask his wife and 2 kids, they’ll tell you he missed his calling as a comedian.

Shawn Cox

General Manager

Shawn continues the family tradition of our business founded by his parents, Bill and Cindy Cox, in 1982. He grew his business acumen as a child selling seeds and cactus cuttings he collected from his neighborhood, while other kids sold lemonade. Fast forward to a BS from ASU in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and today he’s a leading force in the horticulture industry. From water conservation to the quest for rare agaves in Mexico, Shawn lives and breathes botany. He and his wife Lauren are the proud parents of 3 boys: Corbin, Callum, and Carson.

John Kime

Sales Manager

John knows the art to customer service. Literally. Before leading our sales team, he traveled the world as Exhibition Director for Phoenix Art Group. His portfolio even included his own paintings. Lucky for us, he came back to his roots from growing up on a farm. A Phoenix native, he knows what plants perform here best. Married, with 2 teenage daughters and 3 crazy cats.