PRINCIPAL
Principal Emma deCaires earned her Master Degree of Science in Landscape Design from Columbia University, a certificate in Horticulture from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University.
Before creating Blue Dahlia, Emma served as Director of Grants for GreenThumb, the community garden division of New York City’s Parks Department; Gardener on the horticultural crew at Halstead Welles Associates and Staff Horticulturist for Future Green Studio.
At Blue Dahlia, Emma was lead designer for the master plan for the Spuyten Duyvil Pre-School in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. This $500,000 renovation project included a new play yard set in a grove of trees and an extension to the schoolhouse.
Emma deCaires
PRINCIPAL
PROJECT MANAGER
George Tsouplakis holds a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture from The Bernard and Ann Spitzer School of Architecture in New York City, as well as a Horticultural Diploma from The International Career Institute. A lover of the arts, George also got his bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing at Hofstra University.
George began his career in real estate, where he gained deep appreciation for horticulture as an extension of urban life. In 2012 he made the leap and joined Seasonscape Landscape as a Project Manager, where he routinely oversaw large-scale projects with budgets up to $450,000.
Since joining Blue Dahlia in 2016, George has overseen the implementation of our most technically ambitious projects, coordinating multiple teams and contractors to bring our clients’ dreams to life.
George Tsouplakis
PROJECT MANAGER
PROJECT DESIGNER
Sarah Pekovitch
PROJECT DESIGNER
LEAD INSTALLER
As our new lead installer, Adriaan brings a unique skill set to Blue Dahlia’s Design and Installation team. Adriaan comes to us with nearly two decades of experience in high-fashion set design and construction where he worked with top brands such as Nike and DIOR to bring their complex set visions to life, both on the runway and in commercial spaces. A master of traditional carpentry and masonry, as well as millwork, plastics and vinyl application, there are few plans that he cannot execute. Adriaan also has an elite command of project administration and management, having earned a Masters Business Degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art and founding his own boutique set design and fabrication company, Moonbase INC.
In his free time Adriaan enjoys long-distance bike rides and playing music. We are excited to have him on board.
Adriaan Doering-Dorival
LEAD INSTALLER
DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE
A classically trained garden designer, artist, and horticulturist, Director of Horticulture Karl McKoy is one of Blue Dahlia’s most treasured and members of staff. With decades of experience working in private and public gardens across Britain and the United States, Karl also holds a Diploma in Horticulture from the New York Botanical Garden, certification from The Royal Horticulture Society and Capel Manor School of Gardening, a BA (with Honors) in Industrial Design from DeMonfort University, as well as a Foundation in Fine Art from the University of Sheffiel, UK.
Having worked in every part of the green industry, including a distinguished tenure as Head Rosarian at Queens Botanical Garden, Karl brings a unique level of experience to the Blue Dahlia team. If there’s a plant question that can stump Karl, we have yet to find it.
Karl McKoy
DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE
HORTICULTURALIST
One of our top horticulturalists, Juan Correa earned his Bachelor’s through Farmingdale State College’s Urban Horticulture and Design program before embarking on his gardening journey with Root and Vine Gardens, where he rapidly ascended from a humble to assistant to a full fledged Urban Gardener.
Armed with his trusty blue bucket and signature orange clippers, Juan uses his encyclopedic plant knowledge to oversee the maintenance of our most important accounts, keeping plants healthy and happy, and ensuring that our gardens continue to meet clients’ high expectations.
When he’s not in the field, Juan enjoys caring for his two cats and playing the drums.
Juan Correa
HORTICULTURALIST
HORTICULTURALIST
Like many of her teammates, Julie followed an unconventional path to the world of Blue Dahlia. After a long and successful career in financial services and nonprofit management, she found her green thumb and turned to a life of horticulture. That path took her through stints with Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, Lynden Miller’s Conservatory Garden in Central Park, Mary Riley Smith’s Cooper Hewitt Museum garden and Darrel Morrison’s Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Native Flora Garden Expansion.
In addition to her practical experience, Julie also holds a Brooklyn Botanic Garden Certificate in Horticulture and is a NYS DEP licensed Pesticide Technician. She is a board member of MetroHort Group.
Julie Tan
HORTICULTURALIST
HORTICULTURALIST
A native of New York, Victoria has dedicated herself to enriching the horticultural lives of every resident in the city. She holds a Master of Science in Sustainability in the Urban Environment from City College, as well as a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She is also in the process of completing the certificate program at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Before joining Blue Dahlia, Victoria learned the ins and outs of urban horticulture as a gardener at The Battery Conservancy and Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center in the Bronx, where she helped maintain some of the finest outdoor spaces in the city.
Victoria Kam
HORTICULTURALIST
HORTICULTURALIST
ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
In a business with so many moving parts, it takes a few steady hands to keep the ship on course, and that’s where Carolyn Jacobs comes in. After a successful career in accounting and financial management, Carolyn was bitten by the green bug and decided to make a transition to the world of horticulture. After gaining experience with another local outfit where she assisted with purchasing, seasonal displays and caring for plant stock, she joined the Blue Dahlia team. When she’s not in the field with the garden services crew, Carolyn is hard at work in her role as Assistant Project Manager, keeping Blue Dahlia and its many endeavors on track.
In addition to her BS in Business, Carolyn also holds a Certificate in Sustainable Landscape Design from New York Botanical Garden and is an active member of the Canterbury Choral Society’s Community Chorus.
Carolyn Jacobs
HORTICULTURALIST
ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
HORTICULTURALIST
With an MFA in Photography and Related Visual Media from the School of Visual Arts, Nicole brings a true artist’s eye to our team. Prior to joining Blue Dahlia, Nicole also got her Horticulture Certificate from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, volunteered at her local community garden, and was a key contributor at a number of different outfits, including Bluestar Gardens and Christina Brown Gardens.
Nicole enjoys many creative pursuits in her free time, documenting the natural world and researching exciting new native and non-native plant combinations to try out in our plantings.
Nicole Keys
HORTICULTURALIST
HORTICULTURIST
Colleen Callery
HORTICULTURALIST
GARDENER’S ASSISTANT
INSTALLER
With a background in maintenance, contracting and logistics, David Delys is a veritable swiss army knife whose diverse skills are a welcome addition to Blue Dahlia and essential to overcoming the unique challenges of urban horticulture. Whether it’s transporting materials quickly across the city, negotiating the passage of trees through tight staircases, or lending an extra hand with planting, David has proven to be an invaluable asset.
David Delys
GARDENER’S ASSISTANT
INSTALLER
