Meet the team

Award Winning, Elevated Landscapes

Designed With A Purpose

Red Leaf Development specializes in luxury custom pool and landscape design and installation. Backed by award-winning experience, a reputation for eloquent design, service-oriented performance, and a commitment to environmental consciousness, you can expect unique and artistic solutions that are both sustainable and inspiring.

Paul Straus

Ceo
Paul Straus Red Leaf Developments

Founder Profile

Red Leaf Developments, Inc. was founded in 2005 by Paul Straus, a graduate of the demanding Landscape Architecture program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During his first job as a teenager working in the industry, Paul witnessed the challenges that clients faced: poor communication, incomplete work, unprofessional appearances, and missed deadlines. Paul created Red Leaf Developments as a solution to deliver an exceptional client experience that results in delivering an outdoor living environment that is second to none.

Paul built the integrity of Red Leaf on lasting relationships - with clients and his talented team. His dream of building a design-build firm that houses expertise under one roof has earned Red Leaf the Residential Design Awards in both 2013, 2014 and 2015 from the Sierra Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Voted Roseville’s Best Landscape Design Firm in 2014, Red Leaf is living up to Paul’s early vision as a trusted solution in luxury landscape and pool design and installation.

Nick Conway

SR. PROJECT MANAGER
Nick Conway Red Leaf Developments

Nick manages the day-to-day activities of our construction teams and oversees all quality control and construction performed by Red Leaf. Nick pulls from his 15 years of pool and landscape building experience. His extensive knowledge in every aspect of the job site helps to maintain details on all jobs.

Nick plays an integral part in recommending appropriate equipment for pool and landscape products and design that focus on saving energy while protecting the environment. He started with Red Leaf by working in the trenches to become Sr. Project Manager. He has been a valued member of the team since 2008.

Sheri Rojas

Precon manager & Coordinator
Sheri Rojas Red Leaf Development

Sheri joined the Red Leaf team in 2023 as the Pre-Construction Coordinator.  She works to ensure each project need from sales to construction is prioritized to meet every deadline and that each member of our Pre-Construction team stays on track to meet those deadlines.  Overseeing both residential and commercial projects, she works with the design team to capture the heart of the clients’ wishes in all of our designs while driving the company goals, standards and financial metrics.  

Sheri has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design from California State University, Sacramento.  In addition to her love of great design, she contributes strong organizational and problem-solving skills, contributing to the team focus of creating an amazing design and build experience for every client.

Brittany Nutter

Office Manager & Bookkeeper
Brittany Nutter Red Leaf Developments

In 2024, Brittany became an integral part of our team, taking on the dual role of office manager and bookkeeper. With a solid foundation in finance and extensive experience in customer service within the construction industry, Brittany serves as the primary liaison for clients in all financial matters. She is dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication and fostering understanding when it comes to billing and payments.

In addition to her financial responsibilities, Brittany efficiently handles human resources functions and oversees the smooth operation of our office. Her multifaceted role brings immense value to our entire team, contributing to the overall success of our organization.

Brian Sheley

Sales Manager & Builder Relations
Brian Sheley Red Leaf Development

With over 20 years of experience in the building industry, Brian has a deep knowledge base in all aspects of the design and construction process on both single family and multifamily projects. Brian joined Red Leaf in 2023 as Sales and Business Development manager and bridges the gap between the customers needs and Red Leaf solutions.

Brian's high level of communication and interpersonal skills along with his ability to problem solve and his drive to create the best experience possible make him the perfect point of contact for all of Redleaf's customers.

Diana Torres

sr. commercial pool designer
Diana Torres Red Leaf Developments

Diana Torres is a visionary commercial pool designer with a rich background in military housing and residential property management spanning over two decades. Born and raised in a family with a strong sense of customer and community service, Diana's journey has been marked by a dedication to enhancing living environments and fostering a sense of belonging among residents and team members. 

Her tenure in this role not only instilled in her a profound respect for discipline and organization but also cultivated her passion for families creating functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces and implementing innovative landscaping solutions, spearheading eco-friendly initiatives, and fostering resident engagement programs. 

Diana is driven by a desire to create environments where people thrive. In her current role as a commercial pool designer, Diana combines her extensive experience in property management with her creative flair to redefine outdoor spaces. 

Laura VanScoy

Project Coordinator
Laura Vanscoy Red Leaf Development

Laura joined the Red Leaf team in 2019. Laura has been in the pool industry since 2005,starting out at SCP Distributions. Her strong business skills from SCP have successfully transferred over to Red Leaf, adding to the success of the company.

She is a pivotal member of the Operations team for Red Leaf Developments. She drives the financial goals to keep the company moving forward each week. Laura’s responsibilities include residential and commercial job scheduling to achieve revenue and margin goals. She also assists in managing material and subcontractor procurement. Her knowledge and experience in the industry make her very valuable to the Red Leaf team.

Alicia Radov

Commercial PROJECT MANAGER
Alicia Radov Red Leaf Development

Alicia joined the Red Leaf team in 2021. She is a Project Manager for the Commercial Division. Alicia spent 14 years in the fire protection industry in various roles including Administrator, Schedule Coordinator, Project Manager, and Estimator for fire sprinkler and fire alarm install, repair, and inspection departments.

As a commercial project manager, Alicia bridges the communication gap between the client and field, making sure that both sides have all the information they need to produce a quality, aesthetically pleasing and code compliant project.

Michael Parrish

PROJECT MANAGER
Michael Parrish Red Leaf Development

Michael joined the Red Leaf Team in 2022 as a Project Manager. Michael spent several years building pools in the Reno area. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of jobs involving pond management and rural irrigation systems. Michael has many years of experience in building client relationships. He enjoys the modern approach and attention to detail that Red Leaf offers to their clients.

Jeff Woodward

Project Manager
Jeff Woodward Red Leaf Development

Jeff has been in the landscape design and construction business for over 30 years. His extensive experience in the industry brings a passion for excellence and attention to detail with a keen eye for design characteristics in our landscape and pool construction projects.

As Project Manager, Jeff communicates between the client and design team throughout the project, finalizing material decisions, colors and plant selection. He is also responsible for communication between our crews, subcontractors and clients on every aspect and detail of a project, ensuring design integrity and the highest quality of work.

Gino Polastri

Sub Procurement
Specialist
Gino Polastri Red Leaf Developments

Gino has been a team member of Red Leaf since2017. He currently works as the Sub Procurement Specialist. Gino spent 10 years previously coaching college football, being a leader and recruiting the best individuals to fill positions on his team. Very similar to what he does as a Procurement Specialist. Looking for the best qualified Subcontractors to work along with Red Leaf Developments that share the same beliefs and work ethic.

Samantha Davis

Material Procurement Specialist
Samantha Davis Red Leaf Development

Samantha joined Red Leaf in 2022. She is the Material Procurement Specialist, she started with Red Leaf as a Client Advisor. Prior to Red Leaf, she spent 5 years working for a company that wrote the standards for Architectural Woodwork. That is where she realized she has a passion for construction. She uses her skills to build relationships with the vendors to ensure we are using the highest quality materials on the market.

ERIK REYES

landscape designer
Erik Reyes Red Leaf Developments

Born in Mexico City, Erik moved to Sacramento in 1999 where he would later discover his calling in Landscape Architecture at the University of California, Davis. In 2013, he proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science, laying the foundation for a future in transforming outdoor spaces.

Adding to his professional narrative, Erik served as a Member at Large for the American Society of Landscape Architecture from 2016 to 2018. This role deepened his connection with the landscape architecture community and provided valuable insights into the industry.

With a strong academic background and varied experience, Erik has over a decade of expertise as a landscape designer. He finds great satisfaction in creating entertainment spaces that meet his clients' needs and expectations.

Douglas howey

Commercial Pool Drafter
Douglas Howey Red Leaf Developments

Born in the vibrant city of Reno, NV, Douglas Howey has pursued a varied career driven by a passion for both the environment and design.  Starting in land conservation with the University of Nevada, Reno, he then ventured into horticulture as a self-employed entrepreneur.  

Douglas later studied Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) at American River College.  Now, combining a love for architecture and engineering, he is embarking on a new career in CADD, leveraging a unique blend of experience and technical skill to contribute to innovative design solutions.

Aaron hampton

Swiss Army Knife
Aaron Hampton Red Leaf Developments

Aaron is a seasoned professional in the landscape industry with over 7 years of experience. Since joining the company in 2021, he has become a pivotal force in streamlining project workflows.

His expertise lies in systems development, enabling a seamless connection between the Pre-Construction team and Operations. He specializes in crafting tools that facilitate the smooth transition of projects from concept to completion. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for efficiency, he is dedicated to elevating the company's processes and ensuring each project reaches its full potential.

laura brumfield

AR Assistant & Billing specIALIST
Laura Brumfield Red Leaf Developments

Joining Red Leaf Developments in 2024, Laura brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as AR Assistant and Billing Specialist. With over 20 years in customer service and four years specifically within the construction industry, Laura is adept at handling data entry tasks and managing billing processes with precision and efficiency.

Her extensive background equips her with a deep understanding of client needs and operational workflows, ensuring smooth financial transactions and exceptional service. Laura’s commitment to excellence and her proactive approach make her a valuable asset to our team.

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