President
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Syracuse University
Robert E. DeForest is President of KGA/DeForest Design, LLC and is responsible for all operations of the firm. Mr. DeForest has over twenty- six years of experience in Landscape Architecture and is a registered landscape architect in the state of Texas (License No. 1387) and Arizona (License No. 35375). Mr. DeForest is responsible for many of the innovative landscape designs evident in the area’s most successful residential, commercial and public projects. Prior to forming the firm in 1997, Mr. DeForest was Lead Designer and principal in one of Houston’s top landscape architectural design firms. Mr. DeForest’s responsibilities include lead design and project management for multiple high profile projects in the Houston area. Mr. DeForest is a long-standing member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and actively participates in community and trade organizations, committees and seminars, thereby staying abreast of the latest regulations and trends in the industry.
Project Manager / Designer
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture & Bachelor of Urban Design, Rutgers University
Warren E. Neal II has sixteen years of experience in landscape architecture and urban design. Mr. Neal’s responsibilities include project coordination, design and production for many master planned communities in the Houston area. In particular, he has been the lead designer and project manager for Shadow Creek Ranch for the duration of the project. Prior to joining KGA/DeForest Design, LLC, Mr. Neal was chief Landscape Architect at one of Japan’s top design/construction firms. His responsibilities included lead design and construction management for all site amenities on projects ranging from casino resorts to planned unit developments. Mr. Neal’s broad exposure makes his approach to the built environment technically sound and aesthetically unique.
Project Manager / Designer
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Texas Tech University
Corey G. Laughner has ten years of experience in landscape architecture. Mr. Laughner’s responsibilities include project coordination, design and presentation illustration for several master planned communities throughout the Houston area. Mr. Laughner has been project manager for Southern Trails and Willow Creek Farms and has played a key role in the development of Cinco Ranch, WoodCreek Reserve, Benders Landing Estates and several multi-family projects. Mr. Laughner has been part of the KGA/DeForest Design, LLC team for his entire professional career. While here, he has developed and refined various digital color rendering techniques utilizing the latest photo manipulation and layout software which offer both realism and ease of editing. These techniques allow us to easily generate and modify presentation grade graphics and artwork.
Project Manager / Designer
Bachelor of Science, Oklahoma University
Michael E. Thompson has nine years of experience in landscape architecture. Mr. Thompson’s responsibilities include project coordination, design, construction document preparation and presentation illustration for numerous master planned communities, commercial and retail sectors in the Houston area. While here, Mr. Thompson has become skilled at the various digital rendering software programs which have made him a valuable and a highly efficient asset in our line of production with artwork and color graphic presentation. Prior to joining KGA/DeForest Design, LLC, Mr. Thompson had made his start as a beginning landscape designer for one of the top residential and design build landscape architecture firms in the City of Houston. His responsibilities included construction management, design and color presentations for the larger scale of high end residential properties.
Project Manager / Designer
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Texas A&M University
Ms. Lee has over five years of experience in projects ranging from park planning, educational facilities, master plan communities, commercial/retail development and medical facilities. Ms. Lee joined the KGA DeForest team as a Project Manager / Designer three years ago and has completed various projects relating to all areas of development. Ms. Lee is a valuable asset and excels at the development of illustrative renderings, presentation material, design development, and construction documents.
Designer / Irrigation Design
Bachelor of Arts, University of Houston
Zaide Scheib has twenty-one years of experience in graphics, design and illustration in association with landscape architecture and architeture firms. Ms. Scheib is a licensed irrigation designer in the state of Texas (License No. L10008386). Ms. Scheib‘s responsibilities include construction document preparation and coordination and irrigation design for projects ranging from small scale parks to immense waterways and lake areas. Ms. Scheib’s multi-discipline experience and proficiency in irrigation design make her a valuable asset and a highly efficient component of the production team. Ms. Scheib has played an integral role in our design projects for Cinco Ranch, Eagle Springs and Shadow Creek Ranch.
