One of our primary approaches to customer service is to be able to assist our clients with as many of their outdoor needs as possible. So while landscape design & installation is where we got started, our other divisions have helped propel us forward. Enter Kelly and Austin McBride–husband and wife duo running our Maintenance and Fencing+Lighting+Irrigation Divisions.
Kelly McBride: Maintenance Manager
Jane of All Trades + Doughnut Connoisseur
A Plant Science major with an emphasis in Landscape Design from Mizzou, Kelly started as a design intern and transitioned to Maintenance Manager right after college. (Fun Fact: Kelly actually went to daycare with Rost kids, Brendan and Allie)
Our maintenance division is a valuable asset to customers wanting to protect the investment they made in their outdoor space by making sure it is cared for properly to maintain it’s beauty and health. Kelly and her team build out custom maintenance plans for each client that include seasonal clean ups and mulching, regular weeding, pruning and fertilization, and seasonal color plantings in beds and containers.
Since her hire in 2017, Kelly has used her organizational and creative skills to further develop her division’s account managers and crew members, expand our annual growing program, provide design service assistance to existing maintenance customers, and offer additional services to her customers.
Austin McBride: Fencing+Lighting+Irrigation Division Manager
Professional Water Witcher + Family Chauffeur
In 2022, we found ourselves in need of a new manager for our Fencing+Lighting+Irrigation division. Kelly saw an opportunity for a great fit for the company and for her husband, Austin. After a few months working on a crew to understand the installation portion of the job, Austin moved into his management position. As a former FFA advisor, Austin thrives in hands-on roles and leading a team.
Austin’s role involves the management of both installation and service of fencing & driveway gates, high-end LED landscape lighting, and smart irrigation systems. He and his team work directly with customers interested in these services as well as with Rost’s design team for any of their projects that require any lighting, fencing or irrigation.
In the past few years, we’ve been blessed to watch Austin develop or improve various systems and practices, product and service offerings, and grow his team’s depth of knowledge so we can better serve our customers.
Employees like Kelly and Austin are key to Rost’s success over the past 40 years. Their hard work and dedication to ensuring the quality of service we offer reflects the values Tim and Toby have built this company on.
Kelly and Austin had known each other for years before they began dating, (Kelly pursued him!) and were married in 2021. They enjoy traveling, gardening, and raising their Kunekune pigs together and are expecting a baby girl in August of this year!
