Phil Glaser – General Manager
Phil is the original founder of Capital Landscaping. He started his career in landscaping at Des Moines Seed and Nursery when he was in high school. After 8 years in the army and several years working in corporate settings he went back to his first love of landscaping and opened Capital Landscaping in 1998. While stationed in Berlin, Phil met his wife Katharina. Phil’s hobbies include traveling, watching soccer, and spending time in nature.
Katharina Glaser – Office Manager
Katharina grew up in Berlin, and moved to the United States in 1987 after meeting Phil while he was stationed there with the U.S. Army. She has been involved in the office of the company from the start. Katharina takes care of billing, calls to the office, employment applications, and number of other office functions. She loves animals and has 6 cats counting Zero and Bones, the office cats.
Rene Ibarra – Operations Manager
Rene has been with Capital since 2007. He handles all construction services ranging from concrete to pergolas, decks, and fireplaces. He is married with 4 kids and in his free time enjoys salsa dancing.
Monica Emerson – Client Relations Manager
Monica first joined the Capital Landscaping team in 2007, working as the senior landscaping designer until 2011. She left to start her own floral and garden business for 12 years before returning to Capital in March 2024. She enjoys working with clients, creating marketing, and helping in the office. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and 2 dogs.
Mike Weis – Turf Division Manager/Sales
Mike has been with Capital Landscaping since 2012. Mike started as a fertilizer applicator and has transitioned into leading the sales for our turf division and taking care of customer relations. In his free time, Mike likes to travel and spend time with his family.
Zak Ayres – Irrigation Specialist
Zak has been a member of the Capital team since the Spring of 2018. Zak started in the turf department and now manages the irrigation teams. Outside of work, Zak enjoys fishing, watching sports, and most of all spending time with his 3 daughters.
Rachel (Rae) Rieger – Landscape Designer
Rae has been a member of the Capital Landscaping team since 2022. She loves plants and has a degree in Horticulture. She enjoys spending time outside and helping others create the outdoor living space of their dreams. In her free time, Rae enjoys reading, gardening, her houseplant collection, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Harry Huang- Landscape Architect
Harry joined Capital Landscaping in January of 2024. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He assists Phil in our commercial projects, along with some residential designing. In his free time he enjoys being outside in nature, and playing with his dog Wally.
Zero and Bones – the Shop Cats
Zero came to the shop in 2015. His owner was moving and couldn’t take him to his new location. He’s been living at the office ever since. He enjoys chasing the occasional mouse, smelling flowers, and lounging around the office in his favorite places.
Bones joined us a year later when he was getting kicked out of his apartment.
They are best buddies living their best life