Paul LaPointe: Owner and Designer

Paul LaPointe has been living and working in Loudoun County, Virginia since 1986, when he began providing horticultural services to many large estates in the Middleburg area. After his early college years and while operating his own business (Landscape Concepts of Middleburg), Paul continued his education at NOVACC and George Washington University, obtaining a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design.

Many long-time locals will remember the popular and highly respected "Overbrook Nurseries" in Western Loudoun where Paul co-managed all operations. While at Overbrook Nurseries, Paul led the company to its first design awards. He has won several other prestigious design awards and acknowledgements for his community service work.

Besides creating elegant planting compositions, Paul’s designs often include one-of-a kind naturalistic or formal water features, garden structures, stone walls, night lighting, patios and other outdoor living spaces.

Paul has traveled extensively to study different gardens around the world. He has drawn inspiration from the famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., various gardens of Versailles in France, the botanical gardens of Singapore and the landscapes of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong and the natural landscapes of the West Coast here in the United States. Paul’s favorite local gardens include Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. and Longwood Gardens in Delaware.
See Paul featured in a promotional video for Habitat For Humanity here.

Carol Snow: Designer

Carol Snow joined the River’s Edge Landscapes team in the Spring of 2006, bringing exceptional designing skills and extensive experience. While receiving her education in landscape design, Carol ran her own Estate Management company, where her “hands-on” project management skills won her the admiration and respect from new and repeat clientele alike.

Carol’s innovative designs capture the styles and tastes of her clients as well as the beauty and specific qualities of the land for each property. She specializes in an array of landscape elements including “winterscapes”, water features, retaining and garden walls, riding rings, formal and cottage-style gardens, and forest floor gardens. She also has extensive experience in projects such as sighting driveways, swimming pools and ponds. Carol is very dedicated to each client and project, providing outstanding results.

Certified in Green Advantage, which is part of the LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) program, Carol works with all aspects of the environment, i.e. sun exposure, grade, soil, surface water, etc., to create not only beautiful, but also ecologically suited landscapes.

Carol’s garden projects have been featured in local garden tours, newspapers and magazines. She is a speaker and guide for garden parties. Her favorite garden is Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C.

Donna Brightman: Designer

Donna Brightman’s career was inspired by her father, a landscape architect. She came to River’s Edge Landscapes with extensive experience. She was a partner in Botanica, Inc., of Hagerstown, Maryland, a full-service landscape and maintenance company, owner of Garden Art in Brownsville, Maryland, a design/build company and developer of the landscape department at Overbrook Nurseries, Inc. in Round Hill, Virginia. Donna has twenty years of landscape experience and managerial knowledge, supported by the education she received at Bauder College, James Madison University and the University of Maryland.

Donna combines imaginative, avant-garde, cutting-edge designs with a palette of unusual plant materials. She has a true love for the unique plants that she uses in her designs. She also takes an innovative approach in the design of hardscapes: patios; walls; decks; etc., and often uses interesting construction materials. Donna specializes in edible landscapes, rain gardens and vegetable gardens. If you enjoy going beyond the ordinary, Donna is the designer for you.

A popular and frequent speaker on horticultural topics, Donna has lectured for the Loudoun County and Fairfax County’s Master Gardener’s Programs, the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Certification Program, Overbrook Nurseries and various other Garden Clubs and civic organizations. She is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is certified in erosion and sediment control.

Donna has completed projects in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. Her favorite project is a Japanese Garden, one-half acre in size, which includes a Guardian Entrance stone, Tanyosho Forest path, Island of Perfect Harmony, a Koi pond and morning and evening meditation areas. This garden has been on the Washington County [Maryland] Home and Garden Tour.

Our Professional Field Staff

With integrity and a dedicated team spirit, our talented and knowledgeable field staff create extraordinary landscapes. The majority of our field personnel have been with River’s Edge for years. They understand the importance of performing at the highest level. In addition, our staff goes through continual training and industry related educational seminars to keep up with all of the latest, cutting edge information.

Don Younker: Field Manager and Project Supervisor

We are fortunate and proud to have Don as our general manager of all field operations and field crews. Don has contributed immensely in building River’s Edge Landscapes from the very beginning. His tireless work ethic and insistence on quality have gained him the utmost respect among his peers, co-workers and clients alike. He is a hands-on manager, skilled in every aspect of landscape installation and landscape construction. His supervision ensures the client a spectacular result. Donnie has attended, and continues to attend as many industry related educational seminars as possible. Donnie has several certifications including horticultural certifications, ethical management and leadership skills, landscape lighting installation and concrete / paver installation issued by the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute).

Chris Carr: Hardscapes Manager

Chris has been a professional mason for over twenty years. For nearly half of that time he operated his own business serving upscale clientele in the Washington D.C. metro area. Chris has extensive experience managing multi-faceted projects including landscape installations, construction of walkways, multi-level patios, extensive retaining walls and much more. He is certified by the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) in paver installation and he is also a Landscape irrigation technician.

Joaquin Vargas: Stone Mason

For years, we had desired to hire this very talented stone mason and when Joaquin joined the River’s Edge Landscape team, we were elated! Joaquin’s work has been widely admired throughout the years and includes extensive stone and brick walls, patios, entire exterior home veneering and much more. We are so proud to have Joaquin as part of our team. Joaquin is certified by the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) in paver installation.