~Our Team~

Owner, Project Design

Ryan graduated from the University of TN-Martin in 2006 with a degree in Animal Science. He spent ten years working full time on the family dairy farm in Santa Fe, TN. Upon the dispersal of the dairy herd in 2017, Ryan was hired by a landscaping company where he spent 6 years learning all facets of landscape, hardscape, lightscape, and other areas in the landscaping profession. He is very quick to thank all those

who gave him opportunites to learn and grow within this chosen career. Ryan prides himself on being a people person, “The customers are the reason why I enjoy this occupation.” Ryan credits his parents for being major role models in his life. He is thankful his mom always pushed him to be the most creative and innovative person he could be. He appreciates his dad for always keeping him grounded and encouraging him to “treat people like you want to be treated.” He strives to use these characteristics in every Winding Creek Landscape project.

Plant Care, Diagnostics

Kacy Baxter has been a plant industry professional for 20+ years. Her career began in 2002 working in sales at Riverbend Nurseries but transitioning to a grower position there in 2006. Her experience ranges from plant propagation to plant health to installation and maintenance in the landscape. She launched True Roots Nursery in 2010 where she grows primarily annuals for local landscape businesses as well as homeowners. Kacy also ran a full landscape company for 5 years, but now focuses on greenhouse production and plant consultation. Her passion for growing and learning are what has made her a success in the horticulture field. 

Landscape Design, Installation

Jon Giffin, originally from Louisiana, moved to Middle Tennessee in 2008 and immediately fell in love with the Tennessee landscape. Before moving Giffin had been working as a photojournalist at several newspapers around the country, winning awards from organizations like Associated Press and National Press Photographers Association, when he decided to shift gears. Attending Nashville State's Horticulture program studying in fields like Landscape Architecture and Plant Biology. After making Dean's list while attending, Giffin went on to jobs like managing animals for a local farm's grazing rotation program to growing and selling plants at a local plant nursery. Giffin currently operates Forest Gully Farms in Santa Fe, TN with his wife Mandy.  Giffin, as property manager, is transforming his Tennessee land into a food forest that customers can harvest fruit and vegetables from while they stay the night. Giffin originally has a degree in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi where he received the Parnell McKay Photojournalism Award.  Giffin now happily brings his love of this Tennesse land to all the customers of Winding Creek Landscapes.

Concrete, Hardscape

Dorian Abac, owner and operator of Abac Concrete, has been a middle Tennessee resident for over 20 years. He began his concrete apprenticeship in 2004 working under an experienced concrete finisher. In July 2014 Dorian alongside his wife Ashli opened Abac Concrete and they are proud business owners and citizens of Marshall county where they are very involved in their community. Dorian, personally meets every client face to face, does all the ground work of Abac Concrete and is hands on in daily leading his crew to ensure the upmost quality of every single job. 

While all concrete is the foundation of every home and it certainly makes life easier Dorian greatly appreciates the artistic side of concrete. His favorite jobs are where he can most creative and he enjoys stamp work and often takes classes to keep up to date with the latest in concrete finish and design. Dorian appreciates his parents and his faith for instilling in him a phenomenal work ethic, his wife who keeps everything in the office running smoothly and is his greatest support, his four kids for motivating him daily, and all those who taught him and guided him and were a great example to him in the industry making him what he is today.

Graphic Designer

Mandy is a graphic designer with a passion for all things nature and community. When she is not creating stunning designs for Winding Creek Landscapes or helping in her community, you can find her directing the Santa Fe TN for the Arts non profit or operating Forest Gully Farms alongside her husband, Jon. Mandy is a proud Jackson, Mississippi native and graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi who loves bringing people together through her business and marketing skills. She thrives on creativity and always strive to incorporate her love for nature into her work. Mandy is always ready to create something amazing!