History
The concept of doing landscape maintenance started in 1987 when Guy Stockbridge established a company called Bulldog Lawn Service, a small home-based landscape maintenance business for residential clientele. The first few years of business consisted simply of mowing, edging and raking; through diligent door-to-door solicitation Bulldog’s customer base experienced continual growth.
Guy expanded Bulldog’s services in 1989 to include full irrigation and planting, as well as maintenance of large apartment complexes and shopping centers. To accommodate the addition of the new services Bulldog Lawn Service became Elite Landscaping & Maintenance. In 1995, with Elite’s annual revenue and geographical area steadily increasing Guy incorporated the company making the new name Elite Landscaping Inc.
In 1996, the start of Stockbridge Development, Inc. (SDI) added general contracting to the Elite wheelhouse. SDI built custom and residential homes, community, professional and retail buildings and public works (i.g. parks). To assist Elite Landscaping Inc. in providing better project management, Guy started Lokes Rental Equipment in 2000 to account for all equipment being purchased and used. In 2007, to endure the downturn of the construction market and California’s plummeting economy Guy partnered with Randy Regier to provide an elite landscape management company, Elite Maintenance and Tree Service, Inc. (EMTS). The decision to adapt the business plan and expand the opportunity for revenue proved to be a step in the right direction.
Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc. (SGC) began in 2011 when Guy decided to leave the development business behind and refocus on general contracting, specifically prime work for private and public works. After overseeing all of Elite Landscaping’s business administration for 16 years Karlei Stockbridge decided it was time for her to get her own contracting license and start a woman and minority-owned company. In 2011 Elite Landscape Construction, Inc. (ELC) began, which would align ELC with SGC and EMTS to make up what we call Elite Team Offices.
Guy, Karlei, and Randy oversaw sustained success over the next few years and decided expansion could only help the team, so in 2016 that’s just what they did. The Elite Team Offices family was completed in 2016 with the addition of Lokes Heavy Equipment, which provides large equipment for long-term rental needs. Elite Team Offices staffs 500 people between the office and the field and can support most of the Western United States and growing.
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1987
Bulldog Lawn Service
1989
Bulldog Lawn Service became Elite Landscaping & Maintenance
1995
Elite Landscaping & Maintenance became Elite Landscaping Inc.
1996
Stockbridge Development Inc.
2000
Lokes Rental Equipment Inc.
2007
Elite Maintenance and Tree Service, Inc.
2011
Elite Landscape Construction Inc.
Stockbridge General Contracting Inc.
2016
Lokes Heavy Equipment Inc.
Core Values
Perseverance
We are driven by one purpose; success! We look at a bump in the road as simply that, we don’t allow it to derail our journey!
Adaptable
Team Elite is a flexible piece of steel, we constantly and consistently adjust to new conditions and expectations but never break!
Dedication
Going above and beyond expectations for yourself, Elite, and the customer.
Teamwork
We believe that sharing individual skills in a collaborative environment is the best way to achieve common goals.
Integrity
Team Elite is honest and maintains strong moral principles while staying true to oneself and those around us.
Passionate
Elite team members have a deep drive to do our job and do it well; Team Elite is who we are, not just what we say!
Leadership
Guy Stockbridge - President and CEO of Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc.
Guy is no stranger to the landscape and construction industry. With 30 years of experience and hard work, Guy has grown his small landscape maintenance company into Elite Team Offices, which now stretches out over seven different companies. Guy plays an integral part in the daily operations of Elite Team Offices and has put a team of 500 and growing in place.
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Guy Stockbridge
CEO of Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc.
Karlei Stockbridge - President and Owner of Elite Landscape Construction, Inc.
Karlei began her career with Elite Landscaping, Inc. in 1995 as the office manager. It wasn’t long before Karlei’s knowledge of the business and her leadership skills had her promoted to Manager of Business Administration, overseeing the accounting, estimating, and project management departments. After 15 years, Karlei put her dedication and experience to work and became the owner of Elite Landscape Construction, Inc., a woman and minority owned business.
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Karlei Stockbridge
President and Owner of Elite Landscape Construction, Inc.
Ryan Geil - President
Ryan brings over 15 years of experience to Elite, including managing multiple service lines and building a culture of sustainability. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California before starting at CIS Security as the Employee Development Coordinator in 2002. Ryan quickly moved up to Account Representative, and subsequently Division Manager. Ryan was named General Manager of this same division in 2004; served as General Manager at Janitorial Inc. from 2006-2011, and became Vice President before serving as President of Geil Enterprises, Inc. from 2013 until 2017. Ryan celebrated Elite’s 30th celebration and looks forward to celebrating its 60th.
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Ryan Geil
President
Adam Bennett – Chief Financial Officer
Adam was born and raised in the Central Valley and is a proud alum of Fresno State. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an option in Accountancy Adam became a CA licensed CPA. Adam brings over eight years of experience in both public and private accounting to Elite’s ever-growing accounting team. As the head of the accounting and finance department, Adam manages and assures the money flows in and out of the company effectively, and of course, makes sure debits always equal credits!
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Adam Bennett
Chief Financial Officer
Heather Klima – Director of Human Resources
Heather has a Bachelor of Science in Art, an M.I.M. in Business Management and brings over eight years of HR experience to the Elite team. Heather ensures that all aspects of Human Resources are administered at Elite. Her expertise includes creating and implementing systems and teams to ensure compliance with state, federal and OSHA laws; researching and implementing all benefits and benefit administration procedures; managing all workers comp cases; and communicating with various unions and Safety Consultants.
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Heather Klima
Director of Human Resources
