Meet the Team
Unique’s Office Team
While our guys are out in the field working hard, we have another team working equally as hard in the office ensuring Unique Companies runs like a well-oiled machine. From CAD Design to Office Management and from Warranty Resolutions to Marketing Solutions, our office staff is friendly, hardworking, and here to make sure all project requirements and needs are handled thoroughly and professionally from start to finish. Enjoy a little bio on each of our office staff members.
Chris Griffin, Owner & President
EXPERIENCE: 30 Years
Chris Griffin, SWD EIT, has always been driven to be reach the highest level at everything he does from playing in the NFL to building the UNIQUE Companies. Chris’s dedication to customer service and innate grasp of construction principles, thanks to his degree in engineering, allowed him to create a single company which is fully licensed as a general contractor, landscape contractor and swimming pool contractor. This UNIQUE combination is the only way for Chris to provide clients with a cohesive outdoor living space that offers the same function and flow they enjoy indoors.
In the owner landscape industry as a since 1998, Chris is determined to continue to grow as a designer and a business professional. Achieving certifications and working with the latest technology lets Chris introduce his clients to cutting edge features for their outdoor living space and explain not only how the features are installed and how they function but also how they can enhance the enjoyment of each finished project.
Joel Allred, Sales and Business Development Manager, Landscape & Pool Designer
EXPERIENCE: 20 Years
Joel joined the team several years ago and with his decades of natural stone, operations and sales background, it was a seamless transition to managing business development and our sales/design department. Fortunately having the experience in natural stone, designing pools and landscape came naturally. Best part of this career is creating designs for our client’s that exceed their expectations and provide the outdoor living environment to enjoy for decades. Joel strives to work with clients on creating their dreams and respecting the investment. He also works very closely with all of our designers ensuring we provide not only top-quality projects but ensuring all projects receiving nothing but high standard client relations. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family with emphasis on his daughter. He also enjoys participating in a large variety of sports and fitness.
Kevin Peterson, Landscape & Pool Designer
EXPERIENCE: 29 Years
Kevin Peterson began landscaping in the Valley in 1991, when he bought a small landscape business and turned it into a thriving full service residential and commercial firm. As his business expanded, he found his clients asking for additions, renovations, and even new designs. His natural creative talents and vision, coupled with his knowledge of plants, irrigation, and pool care quickly turned into a full-time calling. He sold his maintenance business and focused on creating custom outdoor environments.
Kevin’s designs display a rare blend of beauty matched with functionality. He has a unique ability to see your vision and reshape it with a flow that makes your outdoor living space practical and useable. With decades in the industry, he is well-versed in the latest trends, tempered by the practicality of knowing what designs, plants, and materials will stand the test of time.
His goal is to create an oasis for today that will provide value and equity for the future. His professionalism and attention to detail make the design and installation process a positive, exciting experience for all of his clients, and he prides himself on referrals and repeat customers.
Debbie Austin, Landscape & Pool Designer
EXPERIENCE: 30 Years
Debbie started her career working in the brick/stone/masonry business with custom home builders in the Dallas/Fort Worth area so she is very familiar with the construction process and has built 3 homes of her own and remodeled many others. She and her husband started their own custom swimming pool construction business in 2002 and Debbie was the sales/designer for new pools and pool remodeling while still working in the construction industry. Working with clients and seeing their dream become a reality is very rewarding to Debbie and she enjoys the process from start to finish. Whether bringing the dreams in on a budget or having the means to get really creative in the design, Debbie appreciates getting to know her clients and really listening to what they want.
After both daughters ended up in Arizona and she realized they weren’t moving back to Texas with the grandchildren, Debbie moved to Arizona to be an active part of their lives. She is very excited to have found her new home at Unique Companies and loves continuing her passion in a new setting.
Erik Junge, Landscape & Pool Designer
EXPERIENCE: 20 Years
Growing up in the Midwest Erik developed an appreciation of nature and the great outdoors. Moving west to Utah and eventually the Arizona desert only furthered that outdoor passion. Naturally Erik obtained a degree in Landscape Architecture from Arizona State University’s School of Design. With projects ranging from the Tempe and Mesa Performing Arts Centers to the Arizona Cardinals football stadium and Pat Tillman Memorial Erik has always believed in seamlessly blending the line between Nature and Design.
Erik’s passions have focused more on Residential and Resort Design and Construction in the Phoenix Valley and throughout the western states. The close relationship with nature and his strong sense of clean and timeless design have made Erik a top valley Landscape and Pool Designer for over 20 years. “I enjoy the time spent working closely in a team environment with homeowners to create something truly Unique and Timeless for your home”.
Daris Dewberry, Landscape and Pool Design Specialist / CAD Drafter
Daris has been designing custom landscapes in the valley for over 15 years. He obtained degrees in Architectural Design and CAD certification through Mesa Community College. In addition, he has earned the title of “Certified Desert Landscaper” by the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, by completing their highly recommended desert landscape program. Daris has a sincere passion and desire to create desert landscapes that are both pleasing to the customers as well as sustainable for our desert environment. He completed an intern program through a well know landscape company in the Ahwatukee area and has also designed pools for one of the major pool builders in the Phoenix area. Daris is originally from Ann Arbor Michigan where he attended the University of Michigan. His studies included Engineering and Spanish. He moved to Arizona in 2000 and fell in love with the desert terrain. His love of the outdoors and desert plant life led him to pursue his interest in designing outdoor living environments. Daris is married with 3 children, 7 year old twin boys and a 5 year old daughter. The pure joy of seeing his family enjoy the beautiful outdoor desert environment is one of the many reasons why he has such a passion for creating outdoor living spaces.
Pamela Rambus, General Manager
Pamela has over 20 years in the accounting business. She attended ASU and graduated with a degree in Accounting. She wears many hats at the company and is vital to many of the day to day operations of Unique. She is also originally from Massachusetts (lots of Patriots fans in the office!). Pamela is the proud mom of a Great Dane (when stands, he’s 6’3″ tall) named Kane!
Eddie Gimeno, CAD Department
Eddie has been in the construction industry for 20+ years, working in such environments as a construction escrow office, general contractors, specialty subcontractors and design firms. He really enjoys the creativity of the design process, and his previous experience provides him with essential problem solving skills. He is a first generation college graduate with a degree in CAD and has studied in the fields of civil engineering, landscape design and is very computer literate, often building his own computers. He also likes to work on all things mechanical, building his own chopper style motorcycle from the frame up as well as toying with cars. He is an avid soccer fan and has played the sport for 25+ years in multiple countries, using his skills to tutor his 14 year old stepdaughter to excel in the AZ club soccer scene. He is originally from California, moving to AZ in 2005. He has two loving dogs, Lucy and Newman, which he helped rescue.
Sharon Hrach, Administrative/Warranty Manager
Sharon has been in the administrative world for about 20 years and also dabbled in education as a Paraeducator while her kids were in elementary school. Sharon is originally from Chicago, IL and attended a community college and graduated from Secretarial School, Fox College in Chicago, which placed her in her first administrative role and worked her way to the Executive Assistant position to the CEO, CFO and COO of a travel corporation in Oak Brook, IL. She moved to Las Vegas for a change in scenery back in 2002 where she married her husband, Doug, and had 2 children, Hannah and Dougie. They resided there for about 12 years and moved to the Chandler area to be closer to family and friends in 2014. She is happy to call Arizona home and happy to be a part of the ‘UNIQUE’ family.
Dacia Craig, Project Manager
Dacia is a project manager with 3 years of experience managing projects to support the field. In her roll she supports superintendents, prepares projects for construction, tracks each project status, and supports communication throughout the process. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary focus was in education, and being a teacher for 18 years prepared her for a role at Unique that requires flexibility, organization, and lots of planning. She currently resides in Gilbert with her husband and two children and enjoys spending time camping, paddle boarding, and traveling.
Doug Hrach, Landscape & Pool Designer
Doug’s from Chicago Area and brings to Unique 22 years of expertise in business, and design. Prior to his move to Arizona, he resided in Las Vegas and became accustomed to the desert lifestyle and all that it had to offer. This is where Doug found his passion for outdoor design. The scenery with all the vibrant colors and textures made it easy to call the desert home.
Moving to Arizona to be closer to family and friends provided him with the opportunity to become completely focused on the design and development of outdoor living concepts while continually utilizing his innate abilities to relate to his client’s wishes resulting in an optimal outdoor living environment for their families and guests.
Friendly, open, honest communication style and attention to detail that has enabled him to establish a very constructive rapport with all his clients while, at the same time, effectively enhancing and maximizing their personal retreat. Doug believes his goal is his client’s satisfaction, and his ultimate reward is their patronage and recommendation.
On a more personal note, Doug loves spending time with his family and friends and has a love for dogs. He thoroughly enjoys time as “chef” in the kitchen and is a true “foodie” at heart. Doug has an amazing and fun sense of humor. It’s his true superpower! If he can make people laugh with abandon, discuss the latest food trends with the people that he meets (sometimes sharing a recipe or two), all while designing an awesome outdoor landscape retreat.
Tyler Babb, Landscape & Pool Designer
He grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and attended Clemson University in South Carolina, where he studied Turfgrass & Agronomy Management. While in Arizona, he obtained his Landscape Professional Certification through Clemson University. Tyler has gained a wealth of experience through his previous work and even had his own landscape business, employing fellow Clemson students to support their educations.
Tyler, an Eagle Scout, cherishes spending ample time outdoors with his dog, Jax. His passion for adventure takes him through expansive landscapes, off-road journeys, and hunting. He actively advocates for wildlife and waterfowl conservation, displaying his dedication to the outdoors. On most Saturdays, you’ll likely find Tyler exploring the wonders of Arizona. However, when fall arrives, he becomes completely engrossed in every College Football game, especially when his Tigers are playing.
Tyler joined Unique in August 2022, instantly falling in love with the work and thriving amidst its challenges. Often described as a “perfectionist,” he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to understanding clients’ desires and requirements. He relishes the opportunity to showcase his creativity by crafting intricate designs, enabling clients to truly envision their outdoor spaces coming to life. Tyler takes pride in collaborating with clients on all aspects of their projects, ensuring they receive a UNIQUE outdoor space that is truly one-of-a-kind.
In Tyler’s own words, “I genuinely love working for Unique, and I look forward to each day. Being a part of a company that upholds high standards and never compromises on quality is incredibly important to me, and that’s exactly what Unique represents. It’s the people who make up this company and our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional work that sets Unique apart from others. When a homeowner entrusts us with their project, it feels like they become part of our family. I thoroughly enjoy every facet of what Unique does and what the company stands for.”