Sunrise’s History
Sunrise Lawn/Landscaping Services, Inc. was formed in 1986 in a small shop located in Reston, Virginia. It began with two employees (one being myself, Joe Markell), two mowers, and a pick-up truck that had been in our family since 1964. We have steadily grown to over 40 employees, with a variety of trucks and equipment that allow us to accomplish virtually any landscape-related task.
The Sunrise name has been in my family for over 75 years. First, my great grandparents owned and operated Sun Rise Dairy located in Reston/Herndon, Virginia, and then my father and grandfather owned and operated Sunrise American (this was an American Oil Company Service Station) that was located at the intersection of Route 7 and Baron Cameron Avenue. Later, the name was changed to “Sunrise Amoco”.
38 Years of Excellence in Landscaping
Sunrise Lawn/Landscaping Services, Inc., has evolved into Sunrise Landscape + Design, a full-service landscape maintenance and design/build company. Sunrise offers many services to help improve and maintain your landscape while following state-of-the-art landscaping practices with the skills of our experienced and professional team. We take great pride in our high standards and quality of work, and strive to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction possible.
– Joe Markell, President, CEO and Lead Designer
Meet Our Team
We are proud of our diverse team of designers, account managers, production managers, administrative personnel, and field experts who all work together to create a robust landscape that engages aesthetics, function, safety and maintenance. Whether the task at hand is creating an entirely new landscape, revitalizing neglected green spaces or simply correcting a drainage problem, Sunrise can help you implement a complete design/build program that fits your budget and your lifestyle.
Joe Markell
Joe is a native of the Northern Virginia area. He was born and raised in
Great Falls/Reston and has lived here his whole life. In 1986, Joe started Sunrise
Lawn/Landscaping Services with one truck and a mower. The name Sunrise runs deep in Joe’s family as his grandparents owned and ran Sunrise Dairy Farm 70 years ago. Joe’s father then owned and operated Sunrise Amoco in Reston. When Joe started his own company, Sunrise had to be a part of the name. He is the driving force behind the company’s growth and success.
Joe attended Virginia Tech in the Landscape Architecture program for 3 years. He left Blacksburg early when he had the opportunity to start his own landscaping company. Joe is a Certified Landscape Professional and has his horticulturist certification. In his free time Joe enjoys bass fishing, duck hunting, working in his yard, and football with his kids. Joe currently lives in Leesburg with his wife and children.
Jesse Hanks
Jesse is from the Northern Virginia area and grew up in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. He has a degree in Health and Recreational Resources from George Mason University. Jesse has over 15 years of experience in various customer service industries. He started in retail management and then spent 11 years as a personal trainer helping people achieve their goals. Now Jesse enjoys helping customers bring their landscaping visions to life and achieve their goals through the Sunrise way. Jesse has always had a passion for the beauty of the outdoors, and he spends his free time fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, camping, and spending time with his wife and two children. Jesse is a registered turf technician through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and is proficient in Dynascape Design.
Sam Wojcik
Originally from San Diego, California, Sam has spent much of his life living all around Virginia. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, he enlisted in the Navy and served out his contract at various duty stations across the U.S. After leaving the military, Sam pursued a career in management, getting a job as the General Manager of a gym in Northern Virginia. Still seeking challenge and fulfillment, he decided to switch careers when learning about an amazing opportunity to work at Sunrise. Sam enjoys the people, opportunities, and creativity that go along with the Landscape Design industry and is happy he still gets to help people achieve their goals.
In his free time, you can find him outside camping, hiking, at the gym, or spending time with friends and family.
Linda Atwood
Linda boasts an impressive 14-year tenure within the horticulture industry, a domain she has passionately navigated throughout her entire life. She finds immense joy in collaborating with clients to craft stunning and thriving outdoor living spaces. Linda’s overarching goal is to conceptualize and execute projects that not only entice homeowners to embrace the outdoors, but also enhance curb appeal significantly.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Linda dedicates her spare time to the gratifying realms of gardening and travel. She loves exploring various parks and botanical gardens, leveraging these experiences to continually fuel her knowledge and inspiration. Linda is equally devoted to her four-legged companions, enjoying moments of leisure through activities such as reading and bike riding.
Ashlee Gardner
Ashlee is a native of Leesburg, VA. She joined Sunrise in 2018 as our Bookkeeper. In 2021 Ashlee was promoted to Office Manager. Ashlee spent her HS and college years helping keep the books for her family’s business. Ashlee attended Johnson and Wales University where she took many courses in management and accounting and received a degree in Food and Beverage Management. A lover of everything Disney-related Ashlee also enjoys baking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her husband, daughters, and extended family.
Evelyn Umana
Evelyn joined the Sunrise team in September of 2021. She is a first-generation Salvadorian American and grew up in Northern Virginia. Evelyn has over 8 years of management experience from Medical Program Manager to Commercial Construction Operations Manager. Evelyn is very organized, schedules all of our jobs, and makes sure all our projects run smoothly and on time. In her free time, Evelyn likes to spend time with her 2 boys, family, and friends as well as attempt to keep up with her 11-month-old Pitbull named Blu.
Pablo Mejia
Pablo has been with Sunrise since 2005. Pablo’s personal mission is to provide quality above and beyond the industry standards, and he believes that getting a job done right is the highest priority. Pablo has been working in the landscape industry for many years, and is constantly expanding his knowledge through ICPI, CLT, and other landscape certification courses. He is bi-lingual and hails from El Salvador. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his tight knit family and friends.
Jaime Romo Rayas
Jamie has been working for Sunrise Landscape and Design since June of 2016. Originally from Aguascalientes Mexico, he has worked in the landscaping industry since 2007. Jaime has a strong work ethic and strives to always ensure quality work. As a crew leader, Jamie was always looking for ways to improve his knowledge of landscaping and ways to make his crew run more efficiently. In September of 2021, Jaime was promoted to Maintenance Production Manager. He is now responsible for all of the maintenance crews and ensuring they do quality work to keep our clients happy. In his free time, he likes to explore new places and spend time with his friends.
Allison Markell
Allison is a native of Northern Virginia. Allison grew up in Reston and attended Virginia Tech University where she received her BS in Early Childhood Education. After teaching for 8 years, Allison entered the business world and worked for a “start up” online marketing company. After taking a few years off to manage her growing family, Allison joined Joe at Sunrise managing their advertising. Allison is now in charge of marketing at Sunrise, tracking advertising, social media, and website management.
Jenna Foust
Jenna joined the Sunrise team in November of 2021. Originally from Southern California, Jenna completed high school in Loudoun County before receiving her degree in Paralegal Studies in 2017. Jenna has eight years of clerical and managerial experience and is a certified Notary Public and Loan Signing Agent, which keeps her attention to detail sharp. On the weekends, Jenna enjoys learning new recipes and getting away with her family of six.
Leon Lowe
Leon has always enjoyed working on vehicles, ever since he graduated from Herndon High School. Graduation from the Virginia Machinist Apprenticeship Council, and ten years working as a machinist in the aircraft industry also gave him an appreciation for precision in workmanship. Now, as one of our mechanics at Sunrise, Leon keeps our equipment running safely and properly, which allows our crews to work more efficiently. Leon enjoys the outdoors, with hunting and fishing at Lake Anna as his favorite pastime.
Community Outreach
Sunrise is a quality driven company that puts value, trust and family first. We participate in many charity events throughout the year, setting aside time to help enhance our local schools, churches, and neighbors in growing their lives and landscapes.
2019
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
Sunrise gives back by volunteering with hundreds of other landscape professionals at Renewal and Remembrance, an annual day of service, at Arlington National Cemetery. The event put on by the Landscape Association NALP, gathers volunteers to mulch, lime, plant and enhance the grounds throughout the cemetery. Proud to be a part of this great event!
This year Sunrise planted and installed stepping stones.
Thanks to all who donated time and materials especially, Walnut Springs Nursery, Oregon Battery Operated Products, Sislers Stone, Alliance Cleaners and Sealers and Techo Bloc
2018
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
SUNRISE LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN, a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, participated in Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, July 16, 2018. This marks the 22nd year that industry professionals have worked to help care for this national burial ground that serves as the final resting spot for more than 400,000 military service men and women and their spouses. For more information, read the full article.
2017
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
SUNRISE LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN, a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, participated in Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, July 17, 2017. This marks the 21st year that industry professionals have worked to help care for this national burial ground that serves as the final resting spot for more than 400,000 military service men and women and their spouses. For more information, read the full Press Release.
2015
Spring Planting at Sycolin Elementary School
Now in their fifth year, the dedicated team at Sunrise Landscape + Design just completed their annual Arbor Day plantings at Sycolin Creek Elementary. With an idea and a desire to give back to their community, in 2009 Sunrise Landscape + Design started donating trees and shrubs to Sycolin Creek Elementary School to teach their students about proper planting, pruning and the benefits of planting trees for their school.
Over the past five years, Sunrise has donated two Saucer Magnolia’s, three Kwansan Cherry and Willow Oak Trees, three Zelkova’s, a Maple Tree and a new bench for the front of the school.
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
Sunrise Landscape and Design is proud to be a part of Renewal & Remembrance, the largest landscape industry day of service in the country. Along with hundreds of other members of the National Association of Landscape Professionals we honor our veterans by providing landscaping services to Arlington National Cemetery. We spend the day mulching, pruning, planting installing lighting and irrigation to keep Arlington National Cemetery looking beautiful.
2014
Spring Planting at Sycolin Elementary School
For the past 6 years Sunrise has donated and planted various trees around Sycolin Creek Elementary School in Leesburg. Sunrise has planted Cherry trees in the front, built a stone bench as well as planted shade trees around the multi use playground in the back of the school. Joe Markell, the owner and CEO of Sunrise also spends time with the kids talking to them about the importance of planting trees especially around buildings, how to plant them properly, how to properly mulch the trees, and how to make sure you pick the correct tree for where you are planting.
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
Renewal & Remembrance is the largest single day of service for the nation’s lawn and landscape industry. Each summer, hundreds of PLANET (Professional Landscape Network) members volunteer their time, materials, and services to help maintain and beautify the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Sunrise has been a proud participant in this important event for the last several years, this year we helped plant lime, solved a drainage issue and watered plants!
2013
Town of Leesburg Halloween Parade
The Town of Leesburg holds an annual Halloween parade. The Sunrise team joined in the fun with a parade of trucks, trailers and machines for a big show!
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
Every year, PLANET (Professional Landscape Network) organizes the Renewal and Remembrance event. Sunrise joined in a day of service to clean up and maintain the cemetery with other landscape companies.
Sycolin Creek Elementary Tree Planting
Sunrise remembers Arbor Day by planting a tree (or two) at Sycolin Creek Elementary in Leesburg. The kids join in the planting and learn from Sunrise why planting trees is important.
2012
Sycolin Creek Elementary Tree Planting
Sunrise remembers Arbor Day by planting a tree (or two) at Sycolin Creek Elementary in Leesburg. The kids join in the planting and learn from Sunrise why planting trees is important.
Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery
Every year, PLANET organizes the Renewal and Remembrance event. Sunrise joined in a day of service to clean up and maintain the cemetery with other landscape companies.
2011
Sycolin Creek Elementary Tree Planting
Sunrise remembers Arbor Day by planting a tree (or two) at Sycolin Creek Elementary in Leesburg. The kids join in the planting and learn from Sunrise why planting trees is important.
An Outdoor Classroom for Tuscarora HS
“A group of Tuscarora parent volunteers, teachers, students and landscapers from the Hardscapes Committee of the Northern Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association came together to create the 200-square-foot outdoor classroom on the south end of the school property. The team arrived at 8 a.m. Friday, July 29 and wrapped up the project by 4 p.m. that same day.”-Leesburg Today
Sunrise Philosophy
Sunrise Landscape + Design is committed to providing the best personal landscape experience to residential and commercial clients throughout Northern Virginia by using innovative designs, sustainable practices, experienced employees, and ethical business standards resulting in the realization of the client’s landscape vision.
To fulfill our mission we will strive to:
- Meet & exceed our client’s expectations.
- Learn the latest industry techniques and products.
- Provide a full range of cost effective services.
- Make each client’s landscape experience a thing of enjoyment not aggravation.
- Make a positive long lasting impression that will give the customer the understanding that they can’t get what we provide anywhere else.
- Keep our customers for life.
Our services are available in the following locations:
Ashburn, VA · Leesburg, VA · Reston, VA · Brambleton, VA · Broadlands, VA · Centreville, VA · Chantilly, VA · Great Falls, VA · Herndon, VA · Lansdowne, VA McLean, VA · Oakton, VA · Potomac Falls, VA · South Riding, VA · Sterling, VA Vienna, VA · Aldie, VA · Willowsford, VA