Concierge Services
To bring a vision to life, you want the eyes of Artists and the acumen of Master Architects
Montgomery Robbins creates unparalleled outdoor spaces that inspire, function, and last. With over 50 years in the industry and a decade of mastering remote designs, we have it down to an art.
We know your time is precious. When you get those rare free moments, you want an outdoor living experience that brings high-yield relaxation and rejuvenation. That’s where we come in. We want to get to know you – your lifestyle, aesthetic, and dreams for your space – so we can create a one-of-a-kind retreat designed just for you. A place where it’s easy to love your leisure.
Meet Your Team
John Montgomery, Founding Landscape Architect | License #4059
From a young age, John constantly sketched his ideas and observed the way that natural landscapes formed. He was drawn to design through his love for the outdoors. He started his career wearing a tool belt, and has been a leading name in the field since 1974. Over the past three decades, he and Cynthia have built a team at J. Montgomery Designs renowned for designing landscapes that reflect nature’s elegance – spaces that are relaxing, rejuvenating, tranquil, playful, and timeless. In 2024 Teresa Robbins became a partner and we rebranded to Montgomery Robbins.
John is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and acquired his license from the California Board of Landscape Architects in 1994. He brings his unique background in Art, Architecture, and Design-Build Construction to each project we take on, not to mention the great sense of humor and creative energy that defines our team.
Teresa Robbins, Principal Landscape Architect | License #8434994-5301
Teresa’s aptitude for design and ingrained awe of nature found the perfect balance when she discovered the field of Landscape Architecture. Her attention to detail and meticulous character are hard to match, and few designers can pair those traits as well as Teresa has with her passion for creating outdoor spaces that rejuvenate.
Teresa joined J. Montgomery Designs in 2004 after graduating with high honors and a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University. She became a licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Utah in 2014. Teresa’s work experience includes urban waterfront parks, hospitals, universities, and high-rise condo complexes. She found her greatest fulfillment designing tailor-made landscapes for cherished residential spaces. At our firm, she has worked side-by-side with John for the past two decades to bring hundreds of private residential landscapes to fruition. In 2024 she became a partner and we rebranded to Montgomery Robbins. To every project she brings a deep desire to create cherished home environments that revitalize in the way that only a home can.
Cynthia Montgomery, Founding Principal | CEO
Cynthia’s business acumen has deep roots. As a little girl, she listened at the dinner table to the conversations of her father and his fellow IBM executives. She went on to earn a degree from UC Berkeley in Industrial and Business Psychology, where she learned that her natural skill of listening was the key to a smart business.
Shortly after Cynthia and John were married, they saw an opportunity to create a unique Landscape Architecture firm, one which combined John’s talent for planning amazing spaces with Cynthia’s entrepreneurial skill and ability to understand that good business is all about people. As CEO, Cynthia built Montgomery Robbins (formerly J. Montgomery Designs) as a concierge business that upholds the highest standards for our clientele. Throughout the years, she has carefully selected team members who share this passion and commitment to service.
Doug Robbins, Principal Designer | Project Manager
Doug has a special talent for thoughtfully designing spaces that engage all of the senses. His artistic capabilities and methodically detailed nature enable him to create unforgettable environments. Over the years, he has applied his skills to a wide variety of landscape projects, ranging from regional and residential parks, to cemetery and cremation gardens, to residential design and award-winning model homes. He brings his considerable experience to all aspects of our projects, from concept design through construction drawings and construction administration.
Doug graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning in 2002, and has been enjoying an outstanding and rewarding professional life ever since. In his leisure, Doug enjoys the outdoors, travelling, music, sports, and spending time with Teresa and their family.
Arlene Pond, Design Associate
Arlene has been a landscape designer and arborist for over 15 years, and she brings her exceptional horticultural knowledge and enthusiasm to every undertaking. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, and later earned a certificate from UC Berkeley Extension in Landscape Architecture.
She has worked for a high-end residential design/build firm in San Francisco designing, installing, and maintaining gardens, and has assisted the Presidio Trust on many high-profile projects. She has a true love of nature and an avid interest in creating sustainable residential landscapes. In her spare time, Arlene enjoys floral design and has done a number of weddings for family and friends over the years.
Lindsey Shaw, Landscape Designer
As a child, there was nothing Lindsey despised more than being toted along on her mother’s many trips to the plant nursery – it was just so boring! Fast-forward 30 years, and things have changed just a bit. Lindsey’s deep love of plants and artistic prowess have found their perfect application here in the field of Landscape Architecture. Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from UC Davis in 2005 and has since held jobs in both the public and private sectors, recently falling in love with custom residential work. She enjoys the level of detail that this niche requires, where the selection of small design elements is just as important as the big picture.
Lindsey’s husband and two children keep her very busy outside of work. In her free time, she loves spending time in the mountains with her family, enjoying the changing seasons and the activities that come with them.
Debbie Blumhardt, Project Coordinator
Debbie is a cornerstone of our team. Using skills she gained as a paralegal in the security and corporate finance industries, Debbie plays an integral role in our client communication. She is the first person you talk to when you call our office, and she is the best conversationalist! Debbie’s organizational mind and warm spirit also make her our community liaison, connecting with local charities who benefit from our fundraiser garden tours. But here in the office, Debbie is just plain fun to work with.
When not keeping the Montgomery Robbins’ team on track, she is an active volunteer who is a mother of three. Debbie enjoys spending time with family, including her beloved pets, as well as entertaining and attending Gumsaba Boot Camp at 5:30am! Much too early for the rest of the world!
Sarah Cosca, Visual Media Consultant
While traveling to many corners of the world, Sarah fell in love with telling stories through both visual media and the written word. It was during this time that she started to explore blogging, photography and videography, which it turned out she has quite the knack for (the Georgia state tourism board even asked to use her photos in a national campaign!) Her deep-rooted desire to intertwine her creative thinking with professional life led her to pursue a certificate in Digital Marketing.
The further Sarah traveled, the more she realized the importance of home. Her appreciation of great outdoor living inspires her to showcase the landscapes we are so passionate about creating. When she is not photographing our projects or lending her brilliance to our marketing, you’ll find her exploring the Bay Area with a camera in one hand and an iced coffee in the other.
Julie Peck, Project Liaison
Julie is a California Bay Area native and graduate of UC Berkeley. With over 30 years of project coordination/management experience at AT&T, her dedication to communication, project organization, and client satisfaction is fundamental to our Design Oversight program.
She and her husband are recent empty nesters – their eldest son lives and works in Washington State and their youngest attends San Diego State University. The time and attention she had directed toward her sons she now directs to supporting her 94-year-old father and 93-year-old mother-in-law. She fondly refers to them as the “Energizer Bunnies!” When not helping others, Julie loves being outdoors in California, working in her yard, and hiking in the mountains.
