North Georgia’s Premier Landscaping Service
At Deep Roots, we’re passionate about transforming landscapes and providing superior solutions for both residential and commercial clients. Our mission is to nurture the beauty of Creation through quality service and a commitment to continuous improvement. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and building lasting relationships with our customers, team members, and vendors.
BRANDS WE WORK WITH
Our Roots
Founded in May 2010 by John Baxter, Deep Roots Landscape began with humble roots traced back to his early lawn-cutting days in middle school. Baxter's vision for a full-service landscape company took shape during his time studying business in college.
When he graduated in the midst of a recession, Baxter leveraged his small customer base to officially establish Deep Roots Landscape, aiming to elevate the standard of landscaping in Gainesville and surrounding areas. In December 2011, Ben Filchak, a longtime friend and collaborator, joined as a partner, contributing to our growth and operational excellence.
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Since our inception, we have prioritized attention to detail, aiming to distinguish ourselves through a commitment to excellence in every aspect of our work. Beyond landscaping, our goal is to foster a culture of care for our team members and their families.
Today, we hope to be known throughout our local communities for our professionalism, quality service, enduring client relationships, and a culture that prioritizes the well-being of our team.
Our Commitment
MISSION | VISION | VALUES
EXCELLENCE
We believe in continuous improvement and strive to enhance our work every day. We are diligent and consistently aim to exceed our valued customers' expectations.
PURPOSE
Why do we do what we do? Our work is driven by a greater purpose beyond earning a paycheck, which not only brings personal fulfillment and satisfaction but also allows us to better serve our customers and support our teammates.
INTEGRITY
We do what we say we're going to do, when we say we're going to do it. We believe in fulfilling our commitments promptly and honestly. Honesty in every situation fosters trust and ensures we do right by everyone involved.
CARE
Whether it’s our fellow team members, our valued customers, our dedicated vendors, or even our tools, we believe that showing care in everything we do is essential to fostering lasting relationships and delivering exceptional results.
OUR INVOLVEMENT
John Baxter
Owner
John Baxter is a lifelong resident of Gainesville, Georgia, and the founder of Deep Roots Landscape. After graduating from North Hall High School, John earned a degree in Business Management from North Georgia College and State University. He continued his leadership development by completing the Leadership Hall program.
John is an active member at Passion City Church in Atlanta and serves on the Future Leaders Board at Peach State Bank. He is dedicated to giving back to the community through his work with Eagle Ranch and the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (LCKC). In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his dog, Samson.
Russ Grindle
Director of Operations
Russ Grindle is a Clermont native with over 18 years of experience in the landscape industry. Since joining Deep Roots in 2020, Russ has grown into a leadership role overseeing daily operations, implementing processes, and supporting team members across all departments, ensuring exceptional service and quality for every project.
Russ is deeply committed to his faith, family, and personal growth. As a member of C12, he continuously enhances his knowledge of business operations and leadership. Russ enjoys spending time with his wife, Tara, and their two daughters, cooking for family and friends, maintaining his property, and embracing the outdoors through golf and fishing.
Ben Filchak
Owner
Ben Filchak graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2011 with a Business Management Degree and joined his lifelong friend, John Baxter, at Deep Roots Landscape shortly after. He is married to Caroline and they have two children, Thomas and Hope. They are active members of Creekstone Church in Dahlonega.
The Filchaks are the founders of Hope for Hall, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating an inclusive community through education, play, and technology. Their ultimate goal is to ensure every playground at Hall County Elementary Schools is accessible for children of all abilities.
Sid Johnston
Director of Design and Installation
With over 41 years of experience in the commercial and residential landscape industry, Sid Johnston brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his role. His innovative design approach has been featured in prominent publications, including Southern Living and Landscape Irrigation Magazine. Sid’s dedication to excellence was recently honored in 2024 with the prestigious Silver Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Outside of his professional achievements, Sid is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, Phyllis, and their two playful puppies.
Maintenance Department Manager
Scott Newcomb
Spray Department Manager
Michael Bruce
Residential and Commercial Installation Project Manager
Josh Dove
Fleet Safety Manager
Dean Wood
Procurement Manager
Corey Ashe
Procurement, Assistant Manager
Rudy Flores
Mechanic & Shop Manager
James DeLong
Irrigation Specialist
Justin Baker
HR & Accounts Receivable
Rita Rylee
Administrative Assistant & Accounts Payable
Carly Meek
Our Team
