Joel Osgood
Principal Landscape Architect
Joel launched Osgood Landscape Architecture (OLA) in early 2014 around his vision for a collaborative design practice driven by a passion for ecological restoration, enthusiasm for quality craftsmanship in the built environment, and devotion to context and client-specific designs. Working in the landscape architecture profession since 2004, Joel’s work exhibits an ongoing commitment to providing innovative design solutions, exhibiting an iterative, creative process, partnering with clients, consultants, and stakeholders, and fulfilling an inspired reverence for nature.
Joel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University, graduating as a class Valedictorian with an ASLA Honor Award for excellence in Landscape Architecture. Prior to starting his design practice, he gained extensive international experience in design, project management, and construction while working on high-end resort developments, community master planning projects, mixed-use developments, and golf course projects around the world.
With notable residential, commercial, and resort planning projects in Western North Carolina and internationally, Joel strives to deliver the highest level of service to his clients while ensuring uniquely creative and site-sensitive design solutions are realized for each and every project.
Marlene Franklin
Finance Manager
Marlene brings over 15 years of administrative experience in office management and accounting. She uses her highly regarded organizational and communication skills to ensure all goes smoothly in our busy working environment.
Marlene graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University in May 2020. She plans to start working on a Master’s Degree in Accounting in the near future.
Marlene, an Asheville native, spends her free time exploring the beautiful mountains, looking for waterfalls, spending time with her family, traveling, and listening to live music.
Mark Connelley
Landscape Architect
With a degree in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University, Mark has over two decades of experience in landscape architecture and land planning, specializing in master planning as well as projects in the resort and leisure industry. He has worked on projects throughout the globe and brings his unique perspective in planning to the Osgood team. Mark enjoys interacting with clients and uses his excellent graphic communication skills to develop and convey concepts and ideas.
Mark believes that all projects, no matter how big or small, can be broken down to a human scale. Understanding how people interact with the environment and each other, how they circulate throughout a site, and where they choose to take pause and enjoy their surroundings is the key to good design and ultimately, a successful project. He also believes that all sites have a story to tell. Finding that story and translating it into a viable solution is the basis for creating truly memorable and meaningful experiences.
In his free time, Mark can be found in his studio with a welding helmet on, fabricating large-scale abstract sculptures. He also finds time to escape to the forest for shinrin-yoku now and then.
Ryan Ballard
Landscape Architect
With his passion for horticulture and inspired interest in holistic design thinking, Ryan’s love of landscape architecture is a valuable asset to OLA’s pursuit of creating places that are comfortable and appealing while connecting to natural systems. His work focuses on exploring the complex relationships between the natural world and cultivated spaces while balancing landscape management regimes and budget considerations. Ryan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Horticulture and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Auburn University.
Prior to joining OLA, Ryan worked in Durham, NC with an award-winning landscape architecture firm that collaborated on a variety of institutional and large-scale projects throughout the Southeast. Now at OLA, he uses his passion for landscape architecture and knowledge of plants to provide dynamic, ecologically rich, and diverse landscape designs while incorporating beautiful aesthetics and important connections to nature.
When he is not working, Ryan can be found exploring Western NC. His favorite hobby is fly-fishing, which keeps him hiking, camping, and searching for the next hidden spot to toss his hand-tied flies.
Jill Weissman
Landscape Designer
With interests in ecological restoration, public horticulture, and a lifelong passion for plants, Jill is very excited to be a part of Osgood Landscape Architecture and support the creation of exceptional places that speak to both ecology and visitor experience. Jill has a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts.
Prior to joining OLA, Jill worked on larger-scale urban projects as a project manager with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Her projects focused on stormwater management throughout the five boroughs and ecological restoration within the Jamaica Bay watershed. Jill’s broad experience with managing green infrastructure projects that included a diverse technical team, multiple stakeholders, and complex administration has provided insight and efficiency to the OLA portfolio.
When not at the desktop or drawing board, Jill can be found in a garden, identifying plants along a trail, at the tennis courts, or exploring the cultural riches of this area and beyond.
Alahana Jakeway
Landscape Designer
Alahana Jakeway is a landscape designer with a deep love for community building through design and a genuine passion for the environment. She firmly believes that a well-designed outdoor space can not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a place but also contribute positively to the existing ecosystem and the surrounding community. She is dedicated to creating sustainable, eco-friendly designs that promote biodiversity.
Alahana holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia.
When Alahana is not working, she can be found playing with her dog, Indigo, or exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her favorite hobby is roller skating, which keeps her outside and on the greenways.