About

Meet Our Team

Left to Right: Kali Peterson, Steve Mura, Bob Balgie, Chad Bischoff

Steve Mura
Owner of Barrett Lawn Care

Having served as Global Vice President of Innovations at MillerCoors, Steve understands how forward-thinking builds brands and businesses, both big and small. He brings this innovative approach to Barrett, its clients and the environment.

“We want to be an industry leader when it comes to finding more effective and responsible ways to make properties look great.” Barrett focuses on safe solutions for some of homeowners’ most common problems. For example, the company’s mosquito control treatment is not only effective, but also natural and safe for kids, pets and pollinators. The same is true of Barrett’s choice to use liquid instead of rock salt, which is gentler on the environment and pets. Liquid salt is also biodegradable, safe to handle and reduces salt use by 50 percent. “We want to provide our clients the best result, but we’re also going to do it in the most responsible way possible.”

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Steve credits the knowledge and leadership of his team for a long list of new and returning customers. “They thrive on creating innovative solutions. Whether it’s an out-of-the-box landscape plan or simple things like updating a sprinkler system or scheduling fertilizer, we lead the charge so our clients don’t have to think twice. They trust our knowledge and value our results.”

Bob Balgie
President

Since 2003, Bob has been honing his skills in landscaping, irrigation and gardening, while also managing teams and properties throughout these divisions. Bob’s attention to detail, ability to lead and general passion for his work have allowed him to advance at Barrett. In 2015, he was hired as the irrigation manager. By 2018, Bob was named director of landscape and lead on irrigation, gardening and snow divisions. By 2019 Bob was promoted to operations manager and oversaw all divisions at Barrett until taking over the role of president in spring of 2023.

Bob is highly motivated to not only grow in his new position but also help his fellow employees advance. “I want to keep creating opportunities for our employees by building a great company that can support them. I see crew members making a good salary and able to buy homes and provide for their families and that is rewarding. It’s what keeps me pushing to get the company better each day.”

Bob, his wife and dog reside in Lino Lakes, where an ideal day is spent either outdoors or on the golf course.

Kali Peterson
Vice President of Administration

Coordinating between customers, employees and mother nature has been a complicated puzzle that Kali has mastered beautifully during her first decade with Barrett. Since 2014, Kali has moved from administrative assistant to office manager and now vice president of administration, a progression due in no small part to her dedication to driving proven results in a variety of office settings. Kali holds an administrative assistant associate’s degree.

To the chagrin of many Barrett customers, Kali’s new role will be less customer-facing and more behind the scenes, including tasks like assisting in the rollout of new technology and processes that allow Barrett to operate more efficiently as an organization.

“It continues to be an exciting time to work at Barrett as we see the growth of the company and thoughtfully add new people to what has become a very close-knit team. I appreciate working at Barrett because of its size, our hands-on approach, and our care to provide the best customer experience possible.”

Kali lives in the southwest suburbs to be close to her five nephews. She loves spending her free time gardening and with her two English Bulldog “fur babies.”

Cody Olson
Landscape Director

Cody brings 22 years of experience to his new role at Barrett as Landscape Director. Cody spent most of that time as owner and operator of his own landscape and irrigation company, an experience that perfectly prepared him for the opportunity at Barrett. Cody admits the position is challenging as he works to meet self-imposed goals of optimizing operations and enhancing lives.

Cody says he was drawn to the culture at Barrett and the accountability within the organization. He believes the company and position provide him the opportunity to grow with like-minded individuals.

Cody lives in Newport where he enjoys spending time with his family and searching for his next
investment property.

Alicia Magaard
Director of Sales

Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role as director of sales at Barrett, with 20 years of experience including owning a landscape construction company with her husband in Phoenix. A desire to be closer to family and further away from the desert climate brought Alicia to the Twin Cities. When asked what drew her to Barrett, Alicia says two things: the people and culture.

“I chose Barrett after talking with other companies because I was drawn to the type of people they are, the pride they take in their work and the product they put out to their customers.” Alicia looks forward to using her experience to set and advance the company’s goals. “Being a landscape construction business owner makes it easy to see the larger picture to help grow the
company.” Alicia, her husband and three boys live in Coon Rapids. She enjoys all things homesteading, crafting and like her entire family, getting out on the lake! 

Chad Bischoff
Landscape Designer

For more than 15 years now, Chad has honed his craft of creating distinct designs. His aesthetic demonstrates a flair for the dramatic, while also staying rooted in balance and functionality.

“One of my most memorable projects was to turn a client’s backyard into the ‘place-to-be’ for their teenage son,” Chad recalls. “Though he was a good kid, his parents felt the space would help them keep better tabs on their son and his friends. I designed a multilevel patio which included a Pergola, fireplace and even a pizza oven. The space was comfortable and functional for multiple groups, but especially for a group of teenage boys. Everyone was ecstatic with the result.”

“My favorite season of the year is summer,” Chad says. “Not just because this is the busiest time, but because I love being outside both professionally and personally. Being a Minnesotan means NEVER taking the summers for granted and absorbing every moment. From walking a property with a client, to camping with the family, I want to take it all in!”

“I’m proud to work at Barrett Lawn Care. We bring expertise and passion to the table with each and every project. With Barrett comes a culture rich in quality, commitment, and good old-fashioned fun. If someone is going to spend their hard-earned money on a service, they deserve our best effort and commitment.”

Chad is a Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) Certified Professional. The title certifies that Chad has studied a broad range of horticultural topics and has passed a rigorous examination of general industry knowledge, as well as an examination within his specialty of landscaping.

Bethany Kozicki
Landscape Designer

Bethany came to Barrett after graduating from Hennepin Technical College where she studied landscape design and greenhouse management, while also working in garden maintenance.

Seeing the growth at Barrett, Bethany decided to join the team. She wanted an opportunity to learn within an expanding company whose direction aligned with her values.

Bethany focuses on the customer experience and the evolution of a project. “I enjoy watching the projects all come together, from walking the job site and talking to the homeowner about what they want in their outdoor space, to coming up with a design they love and making photo-realistic renderings, to seeing it get installed. The process is incredibly
rewarding.”

St. Louis Park is home for Bethany where she lives with her mischievous dog Gordon. She likes hiking, cross-stitching and continuing her education. Bethany recently received her MNLA certification.

Cara Craig
Project Coordinator Irrigation

You could say Cara’s career trajectory has a common goal: making heads turn. Once at the salon chair and now in charge of keeping irrigation systems (think sprinkler heads) working.

Cara focuses on scheduling and routing for irrigation plumbing, installs and repairs. She is the face of irrigation working with all Barrett customers in this division. Cara also takes on accounting and office duties. She brings knowledge of the lawn and landscaping industry from two years of work with a local company. Before that Cara worked as a stylist.

Cara admits she takes on her current role at Barrett with pride. “I tell people all the time how much I love my job and am proud to work for Barrett. I enjoy connecting with customers and coworkers. We make a great team.”

Cara looks forward to advancing her skills and growing with Barrett. She lives in Farmington where she is mom to two young boys.

Jamie Willcoxen
Project Coordinator

If you need turf maintenance or have fertilizer or weed control needs, Jamie is who you’ll work with at Barrett. With more than six years of experience in irrigation including scheduling and billing, Jamie has a solid background for her new role which she is excited to navigate and make her own.

Jamie’s previous experience includes work at a local irrigation company where she started as a receptionist and moved very quickly from schedule coordinator to office manager and finally lead compliance manager.

“I love the team mentality and the support we receive here at Barrett. They take care of us.” Jamie says she’s dedicated to helping Barrett reach its own long-term goals whether in customer satisfaction or company growth. “I look forward to having a hand in making that happen.”

Associations