ABOUT US
With decades of experience in the Landscape Management, Snow & Ice Control, Interior Plantscaping and Holiday Decorating industries, KEI looks at the business from every angle and understands the customer perspective to produce the best results. KEI has a track record of effectively attending to the many details necessary to perform services efficiently, meticulously and with a personal touch not found elsewhere.
At the heart of KEI’s culture is an overall philosophy and a formal value system. It guides us toward our goal of making your life easier as the premier full-service, four-season Landscape Management contractor. Our values are driven by a boundless desire to reach higher levels of performance, to give our best possible effort, to make the most of our talents, and to always strive for excellence in all things – at work, at home and in our communities. We believe that our success can only be measured in terms of high client satisfaction and progressive employee development. If we can excel at this, the rest will follow.
THE ORANGE STANDARD
Wherever we are and in whatever we do, we are committed to bettering the lives of our clients, our team and our community. We do this by heading the CALL of what we know as The Orange Standard
CARE RELENTLESSLY
We care about each other, our customers, our results and our communities. We deliver on our promises and do what we say we are going to do. We “earn our spot on the bus” every day. We are loyal to each other, our clients, and our vendors. We value long term relationships and the trust inherent in them.
ACT GRACIOUSLY
We are good to each other and our customers. We give back to the communities we serve. We expect character and honor in all interactions. We admit mistakes and correct them. We do not place blame. We are all part of a greater family. We help each other when needed and take pride in each other's successes.
LEAD COURAGEOUSLY
We do the right thing and do what it takes to make it right. We lead by example. We identify the problems that need solving and arrive with solutions. We are not afraid to raise an issue. We are only as good as our word. We treat others the same way we hope to be treated.
LEARN CONTINUOUSLY
We take responsibility for our own development. We educate ourselves on our products, services, customers and industry. We ask for feedback and are open to hearing it. We are not happy doing things the way they have always been done. We are always looking for the next best idea.
HISTORY
In 1926, F. Scott Fitzgerald introduced us to The Great Gatsby. The newly opened Route 66 showed a growing country the way west. Calvin Coolidge was President, and on June 2nd a young rookie from Columbia replaced Wally Pipp at first base for the Yankees. Lou Gehrig went on to play another 2,130 consecutive games on his way to the Hall of Fame.
That same year, Joe Kujawa and Peter Benka planted the first seed for what would become today's KEI. With little more than their good names, the two hard-working brothers-in-law established Cudahy Flour and Feed, and provided agricultural seeds, supplies and equipment to meet the demands of southeast Wisconsin's growing population.
The company evolved and transformed itself a number of times over the years, adapting to the many challenges they faced. They made it through the Depression selling live poultry and farm supplies. During Prohibition, they saw a spike in sugar sales. When it was repealed they delivered the first legal truckload of beer in Milwaukee County. During the war years, they organized metal drives and made other sacrifices on the home front. The '60s and '70s saw the company prosper as a landscape restoration provider to the local utility companies, and the '80s saw KEI's rise as a respected landscape management contractor. KEI continued to expand its service offerings throughout the '90s to meet the ever-changing needs of its growing client base.
Today, KEI ushers in the 21st Century as a third-generation, family-owned business recognized nationally as an industry leader. We have more than 150 dedicated employees delivering a complete array of services to a long list of well-recognized and well-respected commercial, residential and municipal clients.
TEAM
AT KEI, IT'S OUR PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
Hear from Chris Kujawa, President of KEI.
We've developed a very dedicated and quality-driven staff; each member possesses the particular educational and professional experience necessary to ensure your project's success. Our Leadership Team and Managers share decades of experience. Our crew leaders and skilled technicians have years of field experience and participate in ongoing, professional and company-sponsored training to keep abreast of the latest advancements in techniques and materials.
Industry-leading certification
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) offers Landscape Industry Certification and the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) offers a Snow Professional Certification (CSP). These programs are a perfect way to support our commitment to the growth and development of our people while achieving our industry's standard of professionalism. Less than 1% of all landscape professionals have achieved this prestigious certification.
Our goal is to certify every foreman, supervisor and senior manager. We provide fees, in-house training and study time, and the test time required for these certifications. At KEI, we're proud that we've certified more landscaping professionals than any other firm in the state of Wisconsin, and that many of our employees hold multiple certifications.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Kujawa, CCLP, CPM, GA
President
Judy Kujawa
Office Manager
Tom Jurasinski, CLT
Director of Operations
CLIENT SERVICE TEAM
Nate Benson
Client Relationship Manager
Henry Breuer
Enhancement Manager
Mike Wasilik
Director of Sales
Todd Hasler
Account Manager
Kris Herington
Interiorscapes Manager
Eric Vogel
Business Development
Nate Ekman
Account Manager
Matt
Turf Care Manager
Brent Amann
Sports Field Specialist
Ben Ruck
Service Delivery Manager
Travis Bishoff
Landscape Designer
Matt Bachman
Production Supervisor
Kiley Cirillo
Seasonal Color Manager
Jim Wood
Chief Safety Officer
Osvaldo Romo
Construction Operations
Karen Stefaniak
Customer Care Specialist
Peter Pietras
Director of Maintenance Operations
SUPPORT TEAM
Maria
Administrative Assistant
Sherri
Payroll Administrator
Dennis Schultz
Procurement
CLIENTS
FROM PROPERTY MANAGERS TO INSTITUTIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES, KEI SERVES A BROAD RANGE OF CLIENTELE.
I am the Exterior Maintenance Coordinator for a condominium village in Muskego, WI. We are a community of 51 side-by-side units consisting of 102 family entities 55 and older. Our community consists of an enormous amount of green space, trees and four prairies. I have held this position for approximately 12 years and have worked with or been involved with KEI all 12 years. In addition, for the past 10 or 11 years I have been and still am the Finance Committee chairman responsible for monitoring association expenses, setting up the yearly budget and assisting the Landscape Chairwoman with the KEI contracts for landscape, snow removal and special contacts. And just to be clear, all committee people involved with helping out at the condominiums are condo owners and volunteers with no compensation of any kind whatsoever.
Without reservation, I fully endorse, recommend, and support KEI as our landscaping company. In fact, from a financial perspective, those of us who work regularly with KEI and our Board of Directors have never in 12 years felt it was necessary to obtain competing bids when it was contract renewal time. We are satisfied with the company!
Barry
Exterior Maintenance Coordinator
“During the past four (4 years) KEI, Inc. has performed professional landscaping services at my home, including installation and maintenance. I have always received great attention to detail, as well as, a high degree of quality. KEI, Inc. has always completed the work on time and within budget.
To summarize my experience with KEI, Inc., they work in the customer's best interest; they are professional and get the job done. I highly recommend KEI, Inc. They continue to work hard to earn my business. I am confident on recommending them for my landscape needs.”
Chris
Residential Client
“Our business relationship with KEI began in 1972 and they have served our company continuously since that time…they have done all of our landscape maintenance, installed new landscapes, improved and enhanced existing landscapes, kept our lots and walks snow-free during the winter, and have also provided interior plant installations and maintenance, as well as an executive fresh floral program, and all of our holiday decorating at our International Headquarters and other ancillary locations.
Our company and KEI have partnered often in developing plans to control our costs while improving our curb appeal and our employees’ safety and security. It has been our experience that their services are consistently first class, and in the event of a glitch or our special needs, their response is immediate and efficient . . . We consider KEI to be a very professional organization and we look forward to many more years of this mutually beneficial relationship.”
Ward
Facilities and Building Services Director
“I have been working with KEI since 1991 when I moved back to the area. I recommend them to many companies without hesitation. Their professionalism, flexibility, ethics, hard work and creativity continue to enforce why I do so.”
Janelle
Vice President, Property Management
“Our school has been well served by the partnership with KEI. KEI has kept our campus, from playing fields, to hiking trails, to lawns around the buildings, well maintained, offering a number of suggestions for improvement that we have incorporated. We have received the personal attention of our Account Manager throughout the season, staying in touch to ensure that our needs are met.”
Timothy
Business Manager