OUR TEAM
Grant Stuart Beatt
Horticulturist
Registered Landscape Contractor
Certified Arborist – I.S.A.
Certified & Registered Pest Control Operator
Certified Horticultural Professional
Certified Green Industries BMP’s
Education: Bachelor of Science, Horticulture – Landscape Design
Virginia Tech 1989
Grant Beatt is the President of Grant’s Gardens, Inc. and WaterWise Irrigation Solutions, Inc.. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Grant earned his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Landscape Design from Virginia Tech in 1989.
On graduating he returned to Durban, South Africa, to join Topmark Gardeners, a landscape design/build, maintenance and irrigation firm on the Natal north coast. Grant was involved in large dune/coastal rehabilitation, hotel-resort and residential projects. The award winning Santorini resort in Umhlali was a personal accomplishment. In 1991, he traveled to Rochester, New York, where he grew to become the Vice-President of Oakleaf Landscape & Design. Grant was able to develop his landscape design and arboricultural skills while employed at Oakleaf. The historic renovation of the George Eastman House was the highlight of his undertakings in Rochester.
In 1997, Grant moved to Sarasota and helped build the maintenance division at Hazeltine Nurseries. Grant left to start his own business in 2000. In nine short years, with the help of his wife, Danielle, and Partner, Glenn Souza, they have grown into a multi-million dollar company.
Grant’s Gardens, Inc. is a design/build and landscape maintenance company. In 2007, Grant’s Gardens, Inc. purchased Young’s Landscape and Irrigation, Inc., a Longboat Key based company. The two companies have vast experience in commercial and residential landscape design, contracting and irrigation.
WaterWise Irrigation Solutions, Inc. is a fledgling irrigation design, contracting and maintenance company. The managing director of WaterWise has extensive experience in the agriculture sector and is a Certified Irrigation Contractor and Irrigation Auditor through The Irrigation Association.
Glenn Souza
Glenn is a transplant from New England and got his start in the landscape industry at Young’s Landscaping on Longboat Key over two decades ago. What started as just a summer job while attending Manatee Community College in 1988, turned into a lifelong career.
Working his way up the ladder from laborer to Operations Manger at Young’s, and eventually to one of the owners at Grants Gardens, Glenn has learned all aspects of landscape design, installation, irrigation, and maintenance literally from the ground up. Along the way Glenn has been involved in the installation and maintenance of numerous high-end residences and large luxury condominiums on Longboat and Lido Key. The Sanctuary, L’Ambiance, L’Elegance, The Water Club, Villa Di Lancia, Vizcaya, and En Provence are a few of the notable projects he has been involved in.
Working with large commercial clients in the maintenance realm like the Longboat Key Club to clients like David Miller, owner of Cannons Marina, Glenn has had the privilege to work with a diverse group of clients with a broad range of landscape needs. Glenn is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture and has been certified in Florida’s Best Management Practices. His ability to connect with people on a personal level has allowed him to grow a loyal base of customers, employees, and vendors that is crucial to running a successful business.
Bradley David Main
Agronomist
Certified Irrigation Contractor – Irrigation Association
Certified Irrigation Auditor – Irrigation Association
Education: Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Production – University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 1986
Brad Main is the managing partner in WaterWise Irrigation Solutions, Inc.. Originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Brad earned his Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Production (Cum Laude) – University of Natal, 1986.
On graduating he returned to Zimbabwe, for a brief period, managed a large-scale mixed livestock, cropping and feedlot operation. Brad then worked for an animal health company, before starting his own farming companies. Brad remained in Zimbabwe farming, very successfully, until May 2004. Upon which time all private farming land was appropriated by the Zimbabwean government.
Not only was he successful in developing and managing these complex and diverse companies, he was instrumental in the design and construction of slaughterhouses, wastewater treatment plants, extensive and intensive cropping and irrigation schemes.
Since arriving in the United States, Brad has been employed by the Evans property group as a production manager for the 10,000 acre Payson Citrus division and as a manager for Agricultural Services International. Agricultural Services International is an irrigation wholesale and contracting company. Here Brad successfully developed the new West Coast division. During his stay with Agricultural Services International he obtained his certifications as an irrigation contractor and auditor through The Irrigation Association.
In a very short space of time, Brad has focused Water Wise Irrigation Solutions energy's toward water efficient technology. Water Wise Irrigation Solutions is now regarded as a specialist in smart irrigation technology, integrated cistern technology-together with bioretention swales/cells, rain harvesting/capture, electromagnetic flowmeters and central commands.
Brad is involved in all aspects of design, installation and maintenance of both turnkey and retrofitted smart systems..
Adam Kirkland
Originally from Gainesville Florida, Adam developed a love for plants from his Grandmother who was the head of the Garden club in West Palm Beach Florida. At the age of 18 he began working at a local nursery in Gainesville. After 8 years in the nursery industry he relocated to Miami where he began working in Landscape Maintenance on some of Miami's premiere landscapes. After moving to Sarasota and running a maintenance crew for Young’s landscape on Longboat Key he was promoted to Maintenance Manager. Adam holds certifications in Florida Green Industry's Best Management Practices, Florida pest control I'd card holder, and is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture.
Sean Pontzer
Sean Pontzer began his landscape career in Albany, GA in 1996. He moved to Sarasota in 97' to work for JMC Property Maintenance and later South Coast Landscape Co where he managed several maintenance crews and was involved with the design and installation of new landscaping. Sean worked with Blue Heron Irrigation where he managed the irrigation service department and helped develop their landscape division. His experience led him to Valley Crest where he was an Enhancement Manager and later an Account Manager managing the maintenance of large residential and commercial properties. Sean joined Grant's Gardens Inc. in 2008 to further his career in landscape maintenance managing crews who specialize in high end property care. He is able to use his Best Management Practices certification and Limited Landscape License along with his vast experience to train and supervise crews to perform detail oriented maintenance.
