The blue crew
Serving Kansas City Metropolitan and Adjacent Communities since 2013our team
Leadership
Andy Wright
Owner / President
Andy has been designing and building outdoor spaces for over 25 years. He is responsible for shaping the vision of the company and leading the team that manages the sales and operations. Throughout his career he has specialized in design, sales, and management of our projects. Over the years Andy has continued to stay up to date on the newest trends in landscape design and construction techniques, as well as grow and develop as a leader and CEO.
Andy has designed several Award Winning projects in his career and has been involved with over 2000 residential landscape renovations. He is educated with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University and is also a Certified Landscape Professional and Licensed General Contractor. Andy also takes a hands-on approach to team building, continually recruiting and training our staff on the details of outstanding landscape construction and specialized property maintenance as well as leadership and customer service. He pours his energy into building the team that we call the Blue Crew to always grow and improve to better serve our clients and each other.
In his free time Andy loves to play golf, go kayaking, play pool or have a painting party with his wife Hillaire. They also love to travel and experience different cities, culture, and cuisine, and go hiking and explore nature together.
Charles Keith Runyan
Design/Build Department Supervisor
With a well-established history in the green industry, Keith has been deeply involved in the landscaping world for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Royal Creations, Keith had a long, successful career in residential sales, with over 30 million dollars in landscape installs completed across the region. Keith has designed numerous award winning spaces and had projects published in various industry platforms and created beautiful spaces for homeowners in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri..
As Design/Build Operations Manager and Lead Estimator, Keith plays a critical role in various aspects of the company. Keith’s roles include support for crews, coworkers and the owner, estimating projects correctly, ordering and securing products, production schedules, facility, equipment and truck maintenance to name a few. Keith is loved and respected by the team and our customers because of his dedication, knowledge and lifelong commitment to making beautiful spaces for homeowners to enjoy.
When not working, Keith likes to spend time with his wife Stacy of over 25 years, traveling and experiencing life together. A fun personal fact about Keith is that he has a passion for palm trees and has a beautiful 15 year old Date Palm that he has named “Arnold Palmer”. He also has a 10 year old dog named Roscoe P. Coletrain who loves to travel with them as they go on their family adventures.
Jess Jones
Maintenance Department Supervisor
Jess Jones brings over six years of expertise in landscape management to her role. Before joining Royal Creations, she honed her skills as a Landscape Maintenance Manager and Designer. Jess holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Missouri State University and a Master’s in Studio Arts and Theory from Drury University.
As the Maintenance Department Head at Royal Creations, Jess leads the Garden Care, Irrigation, and Turf Applications divisions. She ensures landscape beds are vibrant and meticulously maintained, working closely with clients to elevate their outdoor spaces. Jess is a leader providing strategic support to the for her team with training, scheduling, logistics, and much more. Her dedication and depth of knowledge, leadership and sincere communication skills have earned her admiration from both her team and clients.
Outside of work, Jess enjoys exploring local dining experiences, cherishing moments with loved ones, and engaging in card games. As a sports enthusiast, she loves Chiefs football and enjoys golf and bowling with friends and family.
Tammy Panarisi
Office Manager
Tammy Panarisi is our dedicated Office Manager, bringing over 15 years of expertise in administrative development. At Royal Creations, she excels in the art of exceptional customer service, earning a reputation for treating each client with genuine respect and care.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tammy has devoted over 20 years to youth soccer, volunteering and contributing her administrative skills to help form and support local clubs. Her passion for community and mentorship is truly inspiring.
In her free time, Tammy cherishes moments with her four-pound Yorkie sidekick, Reign, and embraces her new role as a proud grandmother to baby Vinny.
Tammy is committed to guiding our customers through every step of their projects, from start to finish. She’s always eager to help in any way she can, and loves being a part of the Blue Crew.
The Blue Crew
We have a great staff that is integral to the success of our work. Our crew is dedicated to building awesome outdoor spaces while providing a pleasing experience for our clients. All of our crew has been trained to take good care of our customers and to listen carefully to their comments and concerns during the construction of their project. Our guys are kind and courteous, and they clean up behind themselves every day to ensure that the customer and neighbors are not disturbed by our presence. We are very proud of our team members and their work.
Henry Thompson
Design / Build Field Manager
Henry’s job has several responsibilities. He manages the production of projects, including pre-construction planning and scheduling, as well as material procurement and logistics for the Blue Crew. He checks in regularly with customers and the on-site foreman to ensure the project meets our quality standards for both craftsmanship and customer experience. Communication is our #1 core value, and Henry helps keep everyone on the same page by communicating expectations for both our team and our clients. Henry is also responsible for the continual coaching and development of our design / build installation teams.
Henry started a landscaping job as a laborer. He quickly worked his way up from laborer to foreman and in 1996, Henry decided to move into management. He worked his way up to field supervisor. Henry has been working in the landscaping industry for thirty years and has experience with every aspect of landscaping and construction.
Henry has a passion for spending time outdoors, hunting, and fishing when he isn’t working. Anyone who knows him knows his favorite activity is attending his daughters’ sporting events with his wife Mindy and showing his support.
Jorge Gonzalez
Design/Build Production Manager
Jorge Gonzalez has been deeply involved in the landscaping world for over 5 years. Prior to joining Royal Creations, Jorge was a landscape field operator in Manhattan, Kansas while earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an entrepreneurship focus in design and applied arts from Kansas State University.
As division manager, Jorge leads his team through every step of the installation process to help ensure projects are completed on time with expert craftsmanship. He also manages the production planning which is a key factor when it comes to a successful project. Jorge is revered by the blue crew and is our customers because of his willingness to serve, his positive attitude, and constant communication.
When not working, Jorge loves to spend time with his wife and family back home in Dodge Kansas. He enjoys watching sports and being active outdoors when the weather is nice. He also enjoys traveling to experience new cultures, having adventures, learning new things, and creating lasting memories.
Ian Templeton
Hardscape Division Manager
Ian leads the hardscape team, building paver and stone patios, walls, fire features, and outdoor kitchens. Ian worked in a warehouse running machinery before coming to Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping in 2016. When he got here, Ian started as a basic laborer, digging ditches and lugging equipment around. Since Ian has been with us, he has risen from the bottom to the top of the hardscape crew.
Ian says his favorite part of the job is running the machines. He also likes it when the job is finished, and he can look and see all the hard work pay off. He loves it when the customer is thrilled with their new outdoor living area.
Ian likes to play computer games, especially Fortnight, with friends. He likes it so much that he built a gaming PC with a lot of RAM, a big graphics card, and a lot of memory to run his games. He dreams of a more powerful PC to make his games run even better.
Raymond Towner
Maintenance Field Manager / Irrigation & Turf Specialist
Raymond Towner has been deeply involved in the landscaping world for more than five years. Prior to joining Royal Creations, Raymond was an account manager before owning and operating his own landscape business. Raymond is our certified chemical applicator and backflow assembly tester.
As the Maintenance Field Manager and Irrigation Specialist, Raymond oversees the maintenance field operations as well as design, and estimating of our sprinkler install projects. He also oversees all lawn application programs as well as fall seeding and leaf clean ups. He is loved and respected by the team and our customers because of his dedication to client satisfaction and his willingness to serve.
When not working, Raymond likes to spend time with his family watching movies or grilling out. He also enjoys hunting as well as attending dirt track races at Lakeside Speedway.
Jose Luis Leyva-Arroyo
Property Care Specialist
Jose has been a dedicated member of the Blue Crew since 2024, after working with Andy at a previous job. Jose brings an impressive 22 years of experience in the green industry. His passion for landscaping shines through in his dedication of planting and nurturing trees and flowers, ensuring they thrive.
Jose exemplifies our CROWN values of respect and willingness to serve by consistently demonstrating reliability, intelligence, a strong work ethic with a friendly demeanor that uplifts everyone around him. His commitment to excellence and exceptional service makes him an invaluable part of our team.
When he’s not at work, Jose enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children, embracing family life with the same dedication he brings to his craft.