Meet the Team Rooted in Waseca
Lenz Lawn Care is more than a business; it is a family legacy built on over 30 years of trust, integrity, and hard work. Led by the second generation of the Lenz family and supported by industry-leading designers and dedicated field experts, our team shares a single mission: to provide South-Central Minnesota with unparalleled outdoor craftsmanship. From the front office to the job site, we are neighbors serving neighbors, committed to "growing with purpose" and treating your property with the same care and precision we give our own.
Our Team
Chris Lenz
For Chris, the family business has always been more than just a job—it’s a legacy. Growing up watching his parents, Jim and Lois Lenz, build the company from the ground up, Chris learned that a successful business is rooted in hard work and a commitment to the community. Today, as Co-Owner, Chris carries that legacy forward by leading our business operations and managing our growing teams. He focuses on the “purposeful growth” of the business, ensuring that our internal operations remain as strong and reliable as the landscapes we build. For Chris, leadership means empowering our staff to deliver the high-standard service the Lenz name has stood for since 1992.
President / Co-Owner
Julie Sommers
Office ManagerJoining the team in April 2025, Julie is the friendly first point of contact for our clients. A Waseca resident for over 31 years, she knows the community well and is dedicated to ensuring every customer feels heard and supported. When she isn’t keeping the office running smoothly, Julie loves enjoying the warm weather outdoors and spending time with her fiancé and three grandchildren.
Eric Kestel
As a second-generation owner, Eric has spent a lifetime mastering the technical side of outdoor care. While he shares the leadership of the family legacy with his brother Chris, Eric’s true passion lies in the field. He specializes in the precision of irrigation maintenance and installation, ensuring every system we manage is efficient and effective. Beyond his technical expertise, Eric serves as a lead coach for the Lenz Lawn Care team, maintaining rigorous quality control across all our maintenance crews to ensure that every property we touch reflects our family’s high standards of craftsmanship.
Vice President / Co-OwnerTreasurer / HR Manager / Project Mgr and Designer Tonya Lenz
A vital member of the Lenz family, Tonya serves as the essential bridge between a client’s vision and the finished project. Her role spans the entire lifecycle of a landscape, from initial design and commercial solutions to overseeing business processes, HR, and maintenance management. As a lead designer and coach to our team, Tonya works closely with both residential and commercial customers to envision outdoor spaces, then translates that vision to our crews to ensure every detail is executed with precision. By managing the flow from the office to the field, she ensures that every creation is completed to the highest standard of the Lenz Legacy.
Landscape & Lawncare Team
Reid Conway
With 9 years of experience at Lenz Lawn Care, Reid is a seasoned leader on our job sites. As Foreman, he ensures that our landscape installations are built to last. A true outdoorsman, Reid spends his time away from work hunting, fishing, and golfing. Most importantly, he enjoys spending time with his growing family.
Landscape ForemanKim Sogaard
Landscape DesignerKim brings over 30 years of horticultural expertise to the Lenz Lawn Care team as our premier design partner. Widely regarded as one of the best designers in the industry, Kim translates our clients’ dreams into magnificent, actionable plans. Her deep knowledge of plant biology and artistic composition allows her to create outdoor spaces that are not only visually stunning but sustainable for the Minnesota climate. When she isn’t creating her next masterpiece for a Lenz client, Kim can be found tending to her own spectacular Hosta garden, spending time with family, or seeking inspiration on hiking and traveling adventures across the United States.
Cole Conway
Cole has been a dedicated part of the Lenz team for 6 years. As a Lead Landscaper, he brings skill and reliability to our hardscape and softscape projects. Outside of work, Cole stays active and competitive, enjoying hunting, fishing, and participating in league sports.
Lead LandscaperLandscaperJoe Langer
Joe has been a supportive member of Lenz Lawn Care for 4 years from crafting landscapes to irrigation technical support. His appreciation for the outdoors extends well beyond the job site; in his free time, Joe is an avid hunter and fisherman. He also brings a sharp focus to his hobby of competitive archery.
Conner Rickets
Conner brings 8 years of specialized experience to the Lenz team. As our Lead Spray Technician, he is an expert in proper application and turf health. When he isn’t out in the field ensuring lawns are weed-free and green, Conner enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Lead Spray TechnicianLawn Care Technician ManagerRick Priebe
Rick brings four years of dedicated leadership to Lenz Lawn Care, overseeing the quality and daily performance of our lawn care division. He takes pride in ensuring our clients’ properties remain healthy, resilient, and perfectly manicured all season long. Outside of work, Rick cherishes spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is an avid traveler who enjoys relaxing with a complex jigsaw puzzle or a competitive game of cards.
Grow Your Career with Lenz Lawn Care
Join Southern Minnesota's Premier Landscaping Team.
We are always looking for hardworking, dedicated professionals who take pride in their craft. If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to build a rewarding career with a company that values expertise and the "Lenz Standard" of quality, we want to hear from you.