ABOUT US

About Us

Our Team

We provide a broad spectrum of services and the ability to design, install and maintain your project from start to finish. Our team of professional in-house designers and craftsmen provide the expertise to ensure a quality installation every time – from a beautiful perennial garden to a patio, and outdoor fireplace you have dreamed about! We also provide many varieties of mulch and stone to touch up garden beds and around trees as well as larger projects, like landscape redesign.

Martin B Thomas, Founder & President

Education

Bachelor of Science – Western Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science Landscape Architecture – University of Kentucky
Teaching Assistant
Certificate of Merit
Graduated with Honors

Work

Founder and President of Landscape Alternatives, Inc.
Founder, President and Patent holder of Container Slik, Inc.
Developed an international marketing plan and set up wholesale distributors
Realtor – Milestone Real Estate Consultants
Veteran – 3^rd Infantry Division

Professional Connections

Georgetown/Scott County Airport Board
Airfest – Chairman
Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce – Board Member
Scott County Arts Consortium – Chairman

Personal

I am a private pilot and have been flying since I was 16 years old. I also love art of all kinds and enjoy painting water color and acrylic when I get the chance. I live on the same property as the business with my wife and our 3 cats. Life is good!

Debra Kumar, Administrative Assistant

Debra Kumar is a 1980 graduate of West Virginia University. She joined Landscape Alternatives, Inc. in 2013. Trained as a Master Gardener, she was originally hired as a garden center employee to maintain and sell plants, advise customers, and market other merchandise in our gift shop. After the “Great Flood” in April of 2015, when we ceased retail gift and plant sales, she was promoted to Office Manager. Debra is also active in her church and community as a volunteer, has served on the board of several 501(c)(3) non-profits, and is a performing artist. She brings a wealth of business skill, leadership and organizational experience to our daily operation.

Deby Tooker, Office Staff

Deborah Tooker joined our company in November of 2020. Originally from Arizona, She moved to Georgetown in 2015. Trained as a Human Resources Director, and having worked in that field for 30 years, she is now semi-retired; working part time for Landscape Alternatives. Deby is also active in her church and community as a volunteer. Her friendly demeanor and professional attitude is an asset to our organization.

Our History

Martin Thomas grew up on a small grain farm in Warren County, Kentucky. After High School, he attended Western Kentucky University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture. Shortly thereafter, Martin enlisted in the US Army as an infantry trainee. After completing basic training and advanced training at Ft. Benning Georgia, Martin was deployed and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Wurzburg, West Germany. The beautiful gardens and parks of Wurzburg inspired Martin and he chose to further his education in Landscape Architecture.

Subsequent to Martin’s honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled at the University of Kentucky in the Spring of 1988. The Landscape Architecture Program is a 5 year professional degree and Martin was granted advanced placement because of the B.S. degree he earned at Western. During the course of study, Martin became a teaching assistant, was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the American Society of Landscape Architects and graduated with honors.

In the early winter of 1989, Martin became aware of a landscape maintenance contract that would be up for bid in February of 1990. Martin put together a proposal for this sizable contract and structured it to pay over a 12 month time period. This, he thought, would help with college and living expenses throughout the year. Martin was able to win this contract, borrow money, buy equipment, hire and train employees and execute the contract successfully, while still a full time student.

This first contract was the beginning of Landscape Alternatives. The staging area for Landscape Alternatives for the first 2 years was literally out of a horse stall. Jim Mayhan, at the time, owned Narrow Lane Farms in Lexington and was willing to trade the horse stall for mowing services. These humble beginnings will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated.

On April 4th, 2015 Landscape Alternatives was devastated by flood waters. The flooding was extensive and not only damaged the property and company occupied buildings but also Martin and Susan’s home.

“2016 was a year of re-building for us as a company and personally.”

“We reconfigured our facility to concentrate on our landscape construction and maintenance business. In February of 2017 we opened a mulch and stone sales yard and have been adding new products every year since. We have a great selection of landscape materials, tools, supplies, outdoor décor, and garden accents to offer Georgetown and the surrounding areas”.

Martin is committed to community service and has served many years on the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has served the past 15 years on the Georgetown Scott County Airport Board and has been Chairman for the past 10 years. Martin is also a faithful member of the Georgetown First United Methodist Church.

“We love it here and look forward to many more years of providing quality landscape services and products to our customers."