Team member Logan Bussell

 

Who he is: Logan Bussell, Retail Manager

Logan was born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised in Overland Park, Kansas. As a youngster, Logan loved playing with legos, puzzles, and tools. He still has the first toolbox his father gave him! Logan’s father worked in home improvement, so Logan was on the job with his dad at a young age, building and learning how to turn houses into homes. Logan then moved to Texas where he met his “Southern Belle” Natalie. Logan says Natalie is the most amazing woman he has ever known and she’s mom to two amazing boys Keller, age 12, Ethan, age 10, and their precious “baby belle”, Stella Rose, age nine months. As a family, they love being active and outside. They like to take their dogs Izzy and Duke to the dog park, they enjoy camping, and they love to attend the boys’ baseball games. Speaking of baseball, Logan remains a big fan of the Kansas City Royals, but Natalie is a diehard Rangers fan, so now he is too!

Why he does what he does:

Logan says, “I do what I do for Family, not just mine but for all of ours — the team members, the clients, and the entire communities we serve. Randy and Mikea Glenn are the reason I get to be there for my family, the reason I get to tuck my baby belle in every night and wake up with her every morning. It’s because of them I am able to be involved with the boys’ endless amount of activities. Ultimately, it’s because of them that I get to be the father and husband my family deserves. Extreme Exteriors is another name for Family. I am so blessed to be a part of that family and to have the opportunity to serve yours.”

The Oasis at Pavilion Park

 

photo courtesy: McDougal Construction

Client: The Oasis at Pavilion Park

Project: Large pool for residents, outdoor game area, putting green, dog park, landscaping

Extreme Exteriors services used: Design, construction, follow-up maintenance

For our monthly client profile we typically highlight a residential project with one homeowner, but this month we decided to showcase a large commercial project, The Oasis at Pavilion Park. The Oasis maintains a feeling of community and encourages its residents to socialize with one another through an open and inviting outdoor area. As evident in the picture above, the outdoor area features a large pool with separate spa, two barbeque spaces, a dog park, a putting green, and another fun space for games. The 336-unit apartment complex and clubhouse was built by McDougal Construction, so the team worked very closely with McDougal on the look and feel of all the outdoor spaces. In speaking with Jennifer Colvard, property manager at Pavilion Park, she told me how much the residents love the pool as well as the other outdoor amenities. “Prospects and residents LOVE our pool! It is one of the biggest features at our community,” she said. On a beautiful, quiet night, we stopped by and visited with the Naylor family. Lindsay Naylor loves how kid-friendly it is. “There’s plenty of space, lots of seating, and we love the ledges for the kiddos. I’m also happy that I don’t have to worry about them going off a diving board!” Many safety concerns and regulations were an important aspect of the job, but a challenge. Chris Cantu, project manager, explained how commercial pools have strict rules and regulations that must be followed in regards to depth markings, hand railings, and much more. The Extreme Exteriors team met the challenge and made a fun, safe pool area for residents and guests. Another important challenge that the Extreme Exteriors team met was in planning and implementing the landscape for such a large community. Project coordinator Jeanie Russell explained, “We had hundreds of trees, plants, and shrubs to order, some of which were uncommon plant species and not easily obtained. I worked with team member Jessica Lee to track down the plants we needed so the landscape plan could be followed as precisely as possible.” As evident by the community’s name, “The Oasis at Pavilion Park,” the plan was to make a desert oasis with beautiful landscaping that welcomes and gives life to an otherwise barren landscape. The Extreme Exteriors team worked very hard to bring all of the elements together to make this possible. One other element worth mentioning is the dog park, a “mini oasis” for all the furry friends in the community. Dog owner Michael Littrell, a facilities engineer with Chevron, brings his two dogs Ellie and Ziva out at about the same time every night. “We come down here about the same time each night, which is fun because a group of us end up being here about the same time. We get to see each other and the dogs get to play.” This shared space helps strengthen the bonds of community and definitely keeps the dogs happy! Once the dogs are worn out from playing, Michael will head down to the pool and lay out – not every night, but whenever it sounds good. The option to lay out, swim, play, or just hang out with friends makes the Oasis at Pavilion Park true to its name. Helping make this beautiful community a reality was definitely a challenge, but we’re proud we were able to be a big part of it.

Team Members Randy and Mikea Glenn

Who they are: Randy Glenn, Company President and Mikea Glenn, Retail Manager

Without Randy and Mikea, there would be no Extreme Exteriors team to talk about, so we’re very excited to introduce them as our spotlight this month. Randy and Mikea both attended Wylie High School in Abilene. Randy studied business at McMurry University and Mikea attended Texas Tech University. They love going to Lake Brownwood with their daughter, Lanier, most weekends in the spring and summer. You can also find them enjoying getaways to Destin, Florida when they have the chance.  Mikea oversees all aspects of the retail team, and has done so ever since the grand opening of the Extreme Exteriors Garden Center in Abilene ten years ago this month! She’s currently leading the team’s efforts to open the Extreme Exteriors showroom in Fort Worth. As company president, Randy wears many hats. He loves meeting with clients and planning their dream outdoor spaces, which keeps him on the road quite a bit. When he’s in the office, you’ll find him drawing up designs and overseeing operations.

Why they do what they do: “We have the best jobs! Our team provides spaces for families and friends to come together and enjoy each other. We believe that the best seat in the house is with the company you keep, and that should be in your own backyard.”

Tal and Tyree Fillingim

Clients: Tal and Tyree Fillingim

Project: Outdoor kitchen, pergola, pool and spa, custom firepit, and pavers

Why: They wanted a place that all their children could enjoy at the same time – a place that amounted to their own vacation destination that they wouldn’t have to pack their bags and go away to make memories as a family.

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design, Construction, Retail

Tal and Tyree love cooking outdoors, and their first thought was to build an outdoor kitchen. As part of their research into working with the Extreme Exteriors team, they visited a few other properties that the team had worked on.  Tal and Tyree were impressed with Extreme Exteriors’ ability to create some truly impressive outdoor living areas, so they decided to go all-in with a new pool that features a tall waterfall and grotto seating area.

 

Tal is an architect by trade, so he was very involved with designing the space. He knew the look he wanted to achieve and worked through several different design concepts until everything looked right. Tyree also had great ideas, such as adding the custom firepit and helping to design the layout of the pool – even down to details such as the depth of the pool.  She said, “We could have made the pool deeper, but it was a conscious decision to keep the pool at about five and a half feet so that I could see the kids at all times.”

The pool depth is still generous enough to get a nice plunge while jumping from the top of the grotto or coming in off of the slide. As the weather warms up, they are looking forward to using the pool day in and day out. Tal and Tyree are also pleasantly surprised at how often they use their spa. “Even on summer evenings, we used it more than we thought we would,” Tal said.  Plenty of summer cookouts will be in order too, and Tal is thrilled with the new lighting that the Extreme Exteriors team added to make grilling in the outdoor kitchen safe and easy!

Overall Tal says everything met or exceeded their expectations. They are very pleased with the cohesive look that the Extreme Exteriors team was able to deliver. He and Tyree feel very confident recommending the Extreme Exteriors team; in fact, they have now come full circle from where they began. “We’ve already had people (prospective customers) come out to see our space,” Tal said.

We are so grateful that the Fillingims trusted us to create the outdoor space they envisioned. The fun thing is they have room to grow, with more property beyond their fence line and a space in the yard that they’re considering for a putting green. They know who they’ll be calling when they’re ready for more! In the meantime, they have a wonderful space to enjoy together and make memories as a family that will last forever.

Team Member Derek Koen

Who he is: Derek Koen, Accounts Receivable and Asset Manager

Derek was born and raised in Abilene, graduating from Abilene High School. Derek has a B.S. in Accounting from McMurry University. Derek loves any recreational sport, but especially enjoys kayaking, bowling, and playing disc golf. He recently got married and describes his wife lovingly: “My incredibly talented wife Melanie is an eighth-grade algebra teacher at Abilene ISD and we have been married for four months now.” They have a one-year-old husky named Aspen who they like to take to the park. Derek and Melanie also enjoy spending weekends with their families. Derek worked part-time for Extreme Exteriors before joining the team full-time in December 2016. 

Why he does what he does: “I do what I do for Extreme Exteriors for a sense of accomplishment. I strive every day to leave work knowing I’ve done work that matters and that I have assisted in turning our clients’ dreams into reality.”

Lynn and Dee Ann Key


Project: Pool and spa, landscaping, outdoor living areas

Why: They love their home and neighborhood, and couldn’t picture being happier anywhere else. They had already remodeled the interior of their home, and the next logical step was to improve their outdoor living space.

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design, construction, irrigation, retail

The Key’s starting point was truly a blank slate. Lynn and Dee Ann rarely used the backyard because it was only grass. It wasn’t the kind of place that they would invite people over to enjoy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love their home. They are very comfortable there and over the years, they had remodeled their home to suit their needs. From time to time, their interior remodeling contractors would say, “Let me know if you’re ever interested in a pool.” Without causing any offense, Lynn and Dee Ann decided the best course of action would be to find a professional pool designer.

The Keys were referred to the Extreme Exteriors team by some friends who were satisfied clients. They were shown several different design options for their pool and were happy with the clarity provided, especially because they hadn’t owned a pool before. In the end, they settled on a pool that features a raised spa with waterfall and a tanning ledge with bubblers.

Their favorite thing about working with the Extreme Exteriors team was there were no surprises. Lynn said, “Looking back it was a very wise choice because everything went off without a hitch. They would tell us what they were going to do and then they did it. They made progress every day, stayed on track, and were able to finish ahead of schedule.” Dee Ann and Lynn are very happy with the outcome and feel that it’s the best money they’ve ever spent!

The backyard has truly been transformed from a place that they didn’t really use to an extension of their home that they use every day. It’s also now a place they feel comfortable inviting guests to enjoy. Dee Ann is looking forward to hosting some special events soon — a graduation party at the end of May and a baby shower in June. Her college-age son and daughter have also invited their friends to come enjoy the newly renovated space and that’s been fun for the family. Dee Ann and Lynn are the kind of people who feel comfortable being at home, and we are thrilled that we got to be involved in making their home even more peaceful and inviting.

Team Member Archie Crosby

Extreme Exteriors Team Member Spotlight

Who he is: Archie Crosby, Purchasing Agent

Archie has worked for Extreme Exteriors for a year and half. He enjoys camping trips with his family and taking nice long road trips to Georgia, where he grew up.  He misses the tall pines of south Georgia, but he’s settled into country life with his beautiful wife and soul mate Shasta. Together they have a daughter, Scarlett, and two sons, Evan and Frost. They also have two dogs, six cats, and a small flock of chickens. His land adjoins his brother’s and his parent’s, and Archie enjoys being close enough to spend time with family but far enough away to still have his own space. Archie also enjoys drawing, helping others, going to zoos with his kids, and working outdoors.

Why he does what he does: “The why is such an important part of our lives. It’s who we are. Why is not a question, it’s an answer. I want to be part of something that is so much bigger than myself and I get to do that with Extreme Exteriors. I get to help make memories for families and generations. I’m a part of that regardless of whether I get credit or not. I don’t need my name passed around the fireplace we built. I just get to know that I was a small piece of that positive effect on someone’s life.” 

Dr. Ameeta Kapu

Clients: Dr. Ameeta Kapu and family

Project: Pool, pavers, and landscaping

Why: She previously had more time to travel, especially to the beach because she loves the water. As her work became increasingly demanding, she couldn’t get away as often, so she wanted her home to be her oasis. She also wanted her son and daughter to more fully enjoy being at home.  

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design and construction

What do you do when you can’t visit your favorite vacation destinations? You bring the feel of those amazing places home! When her children were younger, it was easier to get away. But as they grew and her work increased, Ameeta decided to contact the Extreme Exteriors team to see how we could help transform her backyard.

She wanted to capture the resort-style feel of some of the nicer hotels she stayed at during her previous travels. She also wanted a lot of plants because she enjoys beautiful scenery. She was very happy that her design selection process was easy and that the Extreme Exteriors team could offer her what she wanted. “The reason I chose Extreme Exteriors is because they offered high end materials. If I showed them a picture, they could get what I wanted. A lot of others just didn’t offer enough choices or didn’t have the knowledge that I expected.”

One of Ameeta’s top design priorities was a water feature for the pool because she loves the sound of falling water. She also wanted to make sure the pavers around the pool looked like they belonged there and tied in with the house. She said, “They did a great job on the patio. It almost looks like a French street! They listened to what I wanted and tied everything together so well. And they built the pool really fast, which is especially good.”

The pool was ready for her daughter’s high school graduation last year, and they hosted a celebration for her. “Lots of people came over and it was so beautiful,” she said. Ameeta is happy that she could give her kids a nice place that they could enjoy and that she has her own scenic views. Even though she still likes to travel, she doesn’t have the same need as she once did to “get away” for beautiful scenery. We’re so grateful that Ameeta gave us the opportunity to help transform her backyard into the restful, pleasant space she was looking for and that she could share her “story of why” with us.

Team Member Jake Griffith

Extreme Exteriors Team Member Spotlight

Who he is: Jake Griffith, Project Manager

Jake has worked for Extreme Exteriors for seven years. Over the years, he’s worked on some pretty large projects and has been a part of exciting changes within the company. He lives in Hamlin, Texas with his wife Kimberly and children Hailey, Lexi, and Charlie. He also has two dogs, Bobo and Harley. Jake’s interests include old cars and rat rods. Jake enjoys hanging out watching movies with his family and playing video games. And whether you call it a recreational activity or a necessary evil, from time to time he goes “varmint hunting.”

Why he does what he does: Jake enjoys that his work contributes to people’s happiness; and he loves how clients are able to make memories that carry on for generations.

Garza Family

Clients: The Garza’s

Project: Pergolas, outdoor kitchen, firepit, concrete walkways and patio spaces, new trees

Why: The Garza’s have a large piece of property, but before their Extreme Exteriors renovation they rarely went outside. They wanted a safe, fun place for the girls to play and a space to entertain friends.

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design, Construction, Retail

Over a period of 20 years, Armando Garza renovated and added on to his original home, making it more comfortable for himself, his daughter, and four grandchildren. When they got to the point to make the outside just as comfortable as the inside they called the Extreme Exteriors team! The Garza’s were looking for two main things; seating areas so they could eat together, and concrete walkways so the younger girls could ride their bikes around. They live on a busy road, so they wanted the girls to have a safe place to play in their own backyard.

The design team went to work and came up with a plan that the Garza’s loved and that fit their investment goal. Stacie explained how they chose Extreme Exteriors over another company. “We had another estimate, but they were going to do less work for the same price. They were also going to have to outsource some of the work. We liked the Extreme Exteriors design because it was more detailed and we got more bang for the buck.” The Garza’s design includes two pergolas. One fits directly over the outdoor kitchen and the other adds visual interest to the backyard patio. They also chose a new wood-burning fire pit and concrete walkways that connect the two patios and curve around the sides of the house. This allows younger sisters Kambri and Addalyn plenty of space to ride their bikes. The Extreme Exteriors team also defined a space for their play structure, adding mulch for safety.

With these enhancements in place, Stacie said, “We’ve been cooking, entertaining people and relaxing by the firepit. It’s just been great. In the past, we’d never come outside and now we’re out here a lot more!” They had fun celebrating with friends on New Year’s Eve, and Stacie is looking forward to throwing birthday parties this year in the backyard, something they’ve never done before. Stacie loved working with the Extreme Exteriors team and encourages anyone who is thinking of working with us to go for it. The whole family really loves their outdoor living spaces, and they look forward to making lots of great memories together in the years to come. 

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